The brain continues growing at an incredible rate. During this time, the head makes up about one-third of the embryo’s entire size. An early form of the cerebellum appears by 4 to 4½ weeks; this area of the brain will later control muscle control and coordination.
By 4½ weeks portions of the brain forming the right and left cerebral hemispheres appear. By 5 weeks an optic cup forms from each optic vesicle and pigments begin to form in the emerging retina inside each developing eye.
By 4 weeks, the heart typically beats between 105 and 121 times per minute. The heart’s pacemaker cells develop during this week. From this location, these pacemaker cells, in cooperation with nerve impulses originating outside the heart, help control a person’s heart rate throughout life.
The respiratory system is progressing as 2 primary lung buds form the beginning of the right and left lungs. By 5 weeks, repeated branching of the airway system begins to accelerate. Following birth, these airways connect the air exchange portion of the lungs to the trachea and the outside world. By 5 weeks, the embryo’s liver is producing blood cells. This is the first time blood cell formation begins inside the embryo.
Development of the stomach, esophagus, pancreas, and the small and large intestines is all underway. The permanent kidneys appear by 5 weeks.
Next to the kidneys, the reproductive organs are developing. These will eventually become ovaries in the female and testes in the male. By 5 weeks, early reproductive cells called germ cells begin moving from the yolk sac into the gonads. Meanwhile, the yolk sac continues to nourish the embryo until final connections with the placenta form.
[Ref: Prenatal Overview by the Endowment for Human Development]
[Ref: Prenatal Overview by the Endowment for Human Development]
Baby Development Area
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Omnio Activity
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Props /Assistance
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Physical Development
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Gardening – outdoor or indoor with pots
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Flower Pot, seeds, water etc
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Emotional Development
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Resolve to remain unperturbed with the emotion of Anger; if it surfaces repeatedly educate your child to reject it through mind talk
| If you need assistance please email contactoasisteam @gmail.com |
Intellectual Development
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Learning a new language : preferably a classic language that is foundational to your culture; like Sanskrit if you are an Indian
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An elementary language learning booklet or CD
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Sensorial Development
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Focus on touch and of feel smooth textures : slick, silky, soft and slimy
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Surface of Cloth, Furniture, Objects etc
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Creative Development
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Recall an Art or Craft; chose a skill that was taught to you by family or teacher when you were young.
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Art / Craft Material
If you need assistance please email
contactoasisteam @gmail.com |
Spiritual Development
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Seek Blessings of your ancestors who are the base for your life and also your child’s
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Consult your elders , Guru for family practice
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Devotional Development
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Invite the chosen Deity into your child’s energy patterns with regular and sincere prayer
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Choose an Idol or Photograph of a Deity like Krishna, Lakshmi etc
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The embryo’s endocrine system is also developing.
This system of glands regulates the release of hormones throughout a person’s
life. The pituitary gland forms at the base of the brain during
week 5 and begins secreting growth hormone.
The limb buds continue to grow and by five weeks the embryo
develops hand plates. At this point, the embryo’s skin is only one cell
thick. Cartilage formation begins by 5½ weeks. By 5½ weeks, retinal
pigment is subtly visible externally.
By 6 weeks a portion of
the brain called the cerebral cortex appears. Nerve
cells, or neurons, in the spinal cord now begin to develop specialized
connections. These connections, where
neurons meet and communicate with one another, are called synapses.
Though a
pregnant woman does not feel movement for at least another 8 to 10 weeks, the
embryo begins to move between 5 and 6 weeks. The embryo’s first movements are
both spontaneous and reflexive.
A light touch to the mouth area causes the embryo to
reflexively withdraw its head, while the embryo’s trunk will twist
spontaneously. Movements are essential for the normal development of bones and
joints.
By 6 weeks, the external ear begins to take shape, and the
opening of the ear canal becomes visible. Salivary glands also appear inside
the mouth. Blood formation is now actively underway in the liver and
contributes to the liver’s bright red color. The rapidly growing liver also
begins producing lymphocytes. This
type of white blood cell is a key part of the developing immune system. By 5½ weeks, 5 linear digital rays begin forming the
bones in the hand including the thumb and fingers. Wrist formation is also
underway. At 6 weeks, the embryo’s hand plates develop a subtle flattening and
linear digital rays now become noticeable. The diaphragm, the primary muscle used in
breathing, is largely formed by 6 weeks.
The pancreas now begins producing
glucagon an important hormone that prevents blood sugar levels from
dropping dangerously low. The embryo has brainwaves by 6 weeks, 2 days!
Also by 7 weeks, cell groupings resembling taste buds appear
on the tongue and hiccups begin. Nasal plugs are prominent at this
time and will persist for another 6 weeks or so. By 7 weeks, the heart has 4
chambers.
The embryonic heart rate peaks at 7 weeks and now beats
approximately 167-175 times per minute. This rate gradually declines to about
140 beats per minute at birth.
By 6½ weeks, the elbows are distinct and the embryo begins
moving both hands. The fingers are also starting to separate as evidenced by
the appearance of notching between the digital rays. The
foot plate and ankle also emerge while toes begin to form in the feet.
By 7
weeks, the ovaries appear in the female embryo. In the male embryo, a gene
on the Y-chromosome produces a substance causing the testes to begin to
differentiate. By 7½ weeks, the hands can be brought together, as can the feet. The
embryo also kicks, and will jump if startled.
Also by 7 to 7½ weeks, nephrons, the basic filtration units
in the kidneys, begin to form.
By 8 weeks the brain is highly developed and makes up approximately
43 percent of the embryo’s total weight. Growth continues at an extraordinary
rate. Our body’s temperature is regulated by the hypothalamus – an important
structure which begins developing within the 8-week embryo’s brain.
Slowly or rapidly, singularly or repetitively, spontaneously
or reflexively, the embryo continues to practice the movements begun earlier
and to move in new ways. Frequently, hands will
touch the face and the head will turn. The many muscles of the face are
now largely well developed in preparation for the complex facial expressions to
follow. Touching the embryo can produce squinting, jaw movement, grasping
motions, and toe pointing.
Between 7 and 8 weeks the upper and lower eyelids grow
rapidly and begin to fuse together, giving the eyes a nearly closed appearance
by 8 weeks. The eyelids are easily visible and by 7½ weeks are poised to
enter a stage of rapid growth covering the surface of the deeply pigmented
eyes.
The earliest sign of right- or left-handedness begins around
eight weeks, with 75 percent of embryos already exhibiting right arm dominance.
Left hand dominance and no preference comprise the other 25 percent. By the end
of the embryonic period, the total number of heart beats reaches approximately
7.39 million! This large number is but a fraction of the number of times the
heart beats during an entire lifetime.
At 8 weeks, the embryo’s internal organs, before easily
visible through the thin skin, become relatively hidden as the epidermis
becomes a two-layered membrane. On the skin, eyebrows begin to appear
along with fine hairs around the mouth. 8 weeks marks the end of the embryonic
period. During this time, the human embryo has grown from a single cell into
nearly 1 billion cells forming over 4000 distinct anatomic structures. The embryo now possesses more than 90 percent of the structures
found in the adult.
[Scientific Facts included are presented in Prenatal Overview by the Endowment for HumanDevelopment
The table of activities are created and distributed by Omnio Future]
