Table of Contents

Child Development Theories ..1 Developmental Domains...2 Hazardous Conditions & Environments..3 Prenatal Care.......4 This or that?.........................................................................................5 Childbirth.6 Newborns: What to Expect..................................................................7 Milestones..8 So Whys This Even Matter?...........................................................

Have a baby on the way? Have no idea what to do with it? Then this book was written especially for you, the new dumb parent. How to Make Sure Your Baby Doesnt Grow Up to be a Monster is a simplified guide to parenting. You will learn everything from teratogens, to calming techniques and developmental domains, and most importantly how to make sure your baby doesnt grow up to be a monster. The first three years of your childs life will basically determine their future and who they grow up to be. Everything you do as a parent will contribute to your childs development and growth. And as the parent, you will be solely responsible for ensuring the child meets all developmental standards and grows up to be a civilized being. Thats a lot of pressure, huh? Good thing you have us!

Babies are a pretty big deal

and have been analyzed by many theorists and psychologists. Lets take a look at some of these theories and see what the experts have to say about growth, learning, development, and your role as a parent.
Biological Theories Theorist Darwin Theory Darwin taught the idea of Natural Selection and survival of the fittest. He believed only the strong survive, and then go on to pass these genes down to their offspring. Gaselle He valued nature over nurture.* Gaselle based his work off the ideas of Darwin. He also valued nature over nurture. Gaselle developed the Maturation Theory, which said that children will grow, mature, & develop as milestones are reached. Learning Theories Pavlov Pavlov taught the idea of Classical Conditioning, which consisted of four components: conditioned stimulus, unconditioned stimulus, controlled response, and uncontrolled response. This is a type of learning by association. This theory looks at the importance of the environment, and values nurture more so than nature. Skinner Skinner introduced Operant Conditioning, which states that the frequency of a behavior depends on the consequences. Skinner believed behavior could by shaped through positive and negative reinforcement (ie: punishments and rewards) Bandura Cognitive Theories Piaget Piaget developed the Constructivist Theory, which stated that intelligence is a form of adaptation, and knowledge is an active process of co-construction. The main three components of this theory include adaptation, assimilation, and accommodation. Systems Theories Brontenbrenner Brontenbrenner developed the Ecological Systems Theory, which emphasized the importance of a microsystem (ie: family), a mesosystem (ie: daycare teacher), a exosystem (indirect influences), and a macrosystem (beliefs, values, and rules to regulate behavior). Vygotsky Vygotsky introduced the Interactive Systems Theory, which placed importance on culture, language, and interactions- especially social interactions. This theory also discussing the idea of scaffolding and the Zone of Proximal Development. Clinical Theories Freud Freud looked at experiences through infancy and their lifelong impact. Freud introduced the concepts of free association and psychoanalysis. He believed the id, ego, and superego control our behavior. Erikson Erikson believed that development was potential and might progress, or might get side-tracted and regress. Social interactions direct development.
*Nature vs Nurture: Nature focuses on the genetic information and DNA of a person as the guiding principle in development. Nurture focuses on the external forces dictating behavior and development, such as the environment.

Bandura's theory of Social Learning says that children learn best through imitation, modeling, and reinforcement.

There are six different domains of childhood development, which can be easily remembered by the acronym PLACES.

Physical Linguistic Adaptive Cognitive Emotional Social

Physical development focuses on weight, height, and head circumference and how the childs body grows. This includes skeletal growth, muscle growth, as well as the development of the 5 senses. Physical development is asynchronous, meaning growth does not all occur at once, due to the immense amount of energy needed to fuel this remarkable development. There are many influences on physical development, such as heredity, hormones, health, nutrition, gender, and socioeconomic status. Motor development is a subcategory of physical development, and is composed of both fine motor skills (small muscles), and gross motor skills (large muscles), which come together to help the child generate posture, locomotion, and reflexes making up hand-eye coordination and object manipulation. Linguistic development refers to language skills and communication. Crying is an infants first form of communication. They will use this and nonverbal body language to express their wants and needs. As the child grows, they will gradually learn more and more words and start to form small sentences. They will also learn language etiquette, such as holding eye contact. Adaptive development is children learning to do things on their own, such as dressing and feeding themselves, and learning to go potty on their own. These types of behaviors develop innately and occur naturally in all children, with your guidance of course! Much of this skill comes from observational learning and imitation. Cognitive Development is centered around the brain and central nervous system. Much of brain development occurs prenatally, and continues to grow rapidly during the first 18months of a childs life. Cognitive development goes through many stages throughout infancy and eventually leads up to a sense of selfawareness. Some of these stages include imitation, object permanence, trial and error, symbolic play, and problem solving skills. Emotional development consists of 3 main components- psychological arousal, facial/vocal expression, and a condition that asides the emotion. Emotional development shapes a childs social interactions and helps create individuality. The earliest emotions displayed in infants are interest, surprise, distress, and disgust. As the child grows, they will develop more emotions and begin displaying each one in a specific fashion. Social development goes hand-in-hand with emotional development. It focuses on the interactions a child has with the people and world around them. A childs social interactions with others is the driving force in relationship building and the development of attachments.

Now that weve got all that out of the way, lets talk about what kinds of environments are suitable for children and environmental factors that can affect our children- both prenatally and after he or she is born. First on the list, teratogens. Teratogens are environmental factors than cause an otherwise healthy baby to be born with some type of defect. Teratogens include drugs, diseases (sexually transmitted and other), environmental hazards and maternal conditions. Always check with your doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy. Agents such as alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and aspirin all have negative effects on your baby. Not to mention drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and heroine- which should not be used under any circumstances during pregnancy. Many types of diseases can be passed on from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth. Diseases like AIDS and Syphilis can cause major complications and developmental delays to your baby. Non-sexual diseases, like the flu, can also cause complications. If you think you are at risk for any type of disease, notify your doctor promptly so appropriate precautions can be put into place. Normal everyday things, like the sun, can also create complications. Pregnant women should avoid excessive exposure to radiation, as well as pesticides, cleaning agents, and air pollution. Methylmercury, commonly found in fish, has been linked to Cerebral Palsy and should also be avoided. Maternal condition also has a heavy influence on pregnancy and child development. The expectant mothers age, stress level, and nutrition can all affect the baby. *See next page

Even once the baby has arrived, the environment still has a major impact on growth and development. Children need a safe, secure living space that encourages growth and development. Homes should be filled with love and support from positive role models for the children to look up to. In addition to that, parents need to assure that their children are receiving proper nutrition and a helpful diet. All basic care needs should be met, such as diaper changes and proper hygiene techniques. Parents should also provide warm clothes and developmentally appropriate toys for the child. The socioeconomic status of the family also has a huge impact on development. Children raised in poverty often have developmental delays that may affect the childs physical, cognitive, social, and emotional processes.

Proper prenatal care is vital to a safe pregnancy and healthy baby. A lot of development occurs prenatally, so it is crucial for the baby to receive all the nutrition and care it needs!
Stage 1: The Germinal Stage The first two weeks of pregnancy is referred to as the Germinal Stage. This is when the sex of the baby is determined, although we wont be able to tell the gender till later on. This stage is when the fertilized egg is changed into a blastocyst. Stage 2: The Embryonic Stage Weeks 3-8 are referred to as the Embryonic Stage. During this time, the three germ layers develop, as well as essential membranes such as the placenta and umbilical cord. At 4 weeks gestation, the central nervous system will begin to for. By 8 weeks, there is rapid brain growth, as well as the formation of internal organs and major body systems. This is the stage when the embryo is most susceptible for outside influences. Stage 3: The Fetal Stage Once you have reached your 9th week of pregnancy, your baby is officially in the Fetal Stage. This is the stage where your baby really starts to form. Facial features, limbs, and organs will become clearly identifiable and the body will start to run. You may feel the baby kicking or moving around inside of you! By 24 weeks gestation, you baby will have the capability to survive outside of the womb, although development best occurs in-utero, so try to hold him/her in there as long as possible! After a long 40 weeks, your baby will fully developed and ready to make his or her appearance!

Tips for a safe, healthy pregnancy

Attend doctors appointments regularly. Your Obstetrician will keep an eye out on your growing baby to make sure everything is going smoothly & no complications arise. Your doctor is also a perfect person to seek advice and tips from!

It is a good idea to find an approved Prenatal vitamin. These supplements are designed to give pregnant women all the hormones and nutrients that she and her baby need!

Most importantly, AVOID ALL TERATOGENS. Examples of teratogens were discussed on the previous page. These outside influences can cause severe complications in pregnancy and childbirth, as well as lifelong defects for the mother and child.

One of the biggest questions new parents have is whether or not they should breastfeed. Lets take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of both breast milk and formula.

Studies show that breast milk is better for the baby because it is natural and contains many nutrients that are not available through formula. However, every situation is different and the decision is ultimately up to you. Remember, if you chose to breastfeed, you must refrain from engaging in any drug or alcohol use.

Another big controversy with newborns is

crib sleeping vs co-sleeping.

It is rumored that letting your newborn sleep in bed with you, co-sleeping, is irresponsible and dangerous. Others argue that co-sleeping helps parents form an attachment with their new bundle of joy. But the truth is it all depends on your baby. Some babies sleep better alone, and some sleep better with mom and dad. Just like with breastfeeding, the choice is ultimately yours. If you do choose to co-sleep, it is important to have safety barriers in place to keep the baby in a safe part of the bed.

sweet dreams

1. Have your bags packed and ready prior to your due date. This will save you a lot of stress when it is time to head to the hospital. Make sure the bag has your clothes, the babys clothes, insurance information, and a charged camera! 2. Once youre in labor, try to get as much rest as possible. Youll need as much energy as possible when its time to start pushing! 3. Ask your doctor about pain medications to ease those uncomfortable contractions. You may get medications infused into your IV and/or receive an epidural for almost complete numbness below the waist. Keep an open mind to all options even if they are not part of your original birth plan. 4. When it is time to push, PUSH! Dont waste energy with mediocre pushes. Those wont get the baby out, but they will burn up your energy. 5. Listen to your doctor; they know whats best for you and your baby. 6. Remember, it will all be worth it in the end.

As a new parent, you are now responsible for a brand new life- a life that you created. Everything you did throughout the pregnancy influenced how your baby developed, but your work is nowhere near done! You must continue to provide proper care and nutrition for your new baby, as well as an abundance of love and support. Lets take a look at what you can expect from your baby over the next few months and how you should respond to each situation.

Now that youve GOT your baby home, are you wondering what to do with it? How to take care of it? And if youre ever going to get any sleep?
It is important to remember that this time is not only stressful to you, but it is also stressful for your baby. He or she has to adjust to life outside of the uterus and adapt to their new world. As the parent, you must respond to your babys needs and develop a sense of trust with them. Whenever you hear your baby crying, it is your responsibility to figure out why he or she is upset and what you need to do. You may also notice different states of arousal in your new baby. These states include sleeping, drowsy, alert, awake and active, and crying. At birth, babies already have amazing capabilities to use and explore their senses. They do not have good eyesight at birth, but you may notice your newborn tracking and scanning their environment. Newborns can also recognize faces and imitates some facial expressions. Crying is your babys main form of communication, but you will begin to notice other forms of nonverbal communication. Your baby may smile at something he/she likes, or grunt at something he/she doesnt like. It is important for you to interact and bond with your new baby to develop a secure emotional relationship.

Taking care of a newborn can be very stressful for many new parents. So many new responsibilities. So many diapers. So much crying. And so little sleep. You may be feeling a little overwhelmed, but dont worry, were here to help.

Crying is a type of emotional expression and communication. These agonizing screeches may seem like too much to handle but youll soon learn to differentiate the cries from one another. With just a little time and patience, youll be able to recognize these cries & be better able to meet your babys needs.

There are 6 types of cries 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Hunger Pain Discomfort Tired Bored Attention

Soothing Techniques
When feeding and changing your baby doesnt seem to be enough, dont lose hope! There are many soothing techniques you can use to calm your baby. Give your baby a pacifier Rock your baby Swaddle your baby Hold your baby tightly Make funny or calming noises Give your baby a light massage

Developmental Crying is a period of intense crying that occurs in the second month of a babys life. This type of crying is very difficult to soothe and is often confused with Colic. How can you tell the difference? Colic crying occurs at least 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for 3 months. If crying does not meet these conditions, your baby is simply experiencing developmental crying. So dont be alarmed, its completely natural and will end before you know it.

It is also important to remember that babies feed off the stress of others. If you are anxious and upset, it will be harder to soothe your baby. Take a time out and a deep breath before trying to calm your baby.

Milestones and your role as a parent

Before going over milestones, it is important to remember that all children develop at their own individual rate. Babies who begin walking fairly early may not learn to talk until later on. No matter what rate your child is developing, it is important to take on your role as a parent by encouraging and promoting growth and learning.

1 Month: Your baby will focus on objects 8-12 inches away, perfect distance to your face while you are holding him or
her! Your baby may also turn his or her head towards the sound of Mommy or Daddys voice. Reflexes fuel much of your babys movement at this age. As a parent, you should use this time to get to know your new baby. Talk to them, hold them, cuddle, learn their body signals and cues. Try to develop eye-contact with your baby and interact with them when theyre in the alert stage. Tummy time is also important to help your baby strengthen their muscles.

3 Months: By this time, youve probably noticed an abundance of smiles from your baby! Your baby is probably also
imitating your facial expressions and babbling sounds back at you. Babies at three months can usually support their own head and lift their chest off the ground, which is laying the foundation for rolling over. Your baby will begin swatting at objects and shaking toys around. Your babys eyesight has improved remarkably and he/she can now spot you from the other side of the room! As a parent, your main duty at the stage is providing basic care and soothing your baby, both of which help form a trusting relationship.

4-7 Months: Not only can your baby smile, it can also laugh, grunt, and babble now! During this time period, your baby
will learn to roll-over, sit up, bounce, and maybe even crawl! Babies will begin to respond to their names and simple words like no. Vision is fully developed by 6 months, and most babies love looking at themselves in the mirror! Once your baby is sitting up, you may introduce solid foods. As a parent, you should spend lots of time interacting with your baby. Talking, singing, and reading are all fundamental parts of learning in this age group. Once your baby is mobile, be sure to childproof your house to keep him or her safe.

8-12 Months: Babies will begin to crawl and scoot around by this age, even pull to a stand and maybe even walk! He
or she may begin to babble words like the very-anticipated mama and dada. Your baby will use gestures to indicate wants and desires. Hand-eye coordination is well developed at this stage and your baby may begin eating finger foods all by themselves. You may also notice your baby imitating a lot of your behaviors. As a parent, your job is to encourage all areas of development. Talk to your baby; describe what youre doing, and name things around you. These things are important for language development. If you havent already, you will definitely need to childproof your home. Babies get into everything at this age! You should give your baby freedom to explore and use his senses, but also have guidelines for him or her. Pay attention to what your baby likes and dislikes. Praise good behavior and redirect bad behavior. Continue to form a relationship with your baby and interact with them whenever possible.

Newborns bringing their hands to their mouth is a nonverbal sign of hunger. A newborn may also make sucking motions with their lips, this primitive reflex is also a sign that your baby may be hungry. Skin to skin feeding, also known as kangaroo care, is a wonderful way to bond with your new baby, especially at feeding time. Belly time is important for young babies. Belly time is a fantastic way for your baby to explore his or her senses and environment, which strengthening muscles and motor skills. Once your baby is sitting up, which usually occurs between 4 and 6 months, you may introduce solid foods! Be sure to only introduce one new food a week in case an allergic reaction occurs. This will help you pinpoint exactly which baby food caused the reaction. Teething is another stressful time, both for baby and parents. Many teething toys are sharp and can cut the babys gums, making the pain even worse. A good method to help your baby cope with the pain is running a baby-washcloth under the water and sticking it into the freezer. After about 10 minutes, give the cloth to your baby to chew on. The cold-temperature will numb the pain, and the washcloth will begin to conform to the babys mouth. Interactions are so important for infants and toddlers. Your baby needs to interact with adults and other children. Socialization helps your baby develop social skills, emotional skills, and linguistic skills. When it is finally time to start potty training, dont rush or force it! Children will naturally be interested in using the toilet and will display signs of readiness. Once you notice your toddler has developed a sense of cleanliness and order (ie putting toys back where they belong), you may want to introduce the potty. Having a strong support system is very important! Sometimes, you simply need a break. Maybe ask Grandma or a close friend to babysit so you have some time to relax! These support systems are also great for seeking advice and sharing experiences.

Touchpoints Learning, developed by Dr. Brazelton, is an excellent resource for any parent to gain insight on their growing child and learn developmental techniques. Touchpoints address all areas of child care and growth, putting special focus on emotional and behavioral development. This guide will help you, as the parent, learn how to deal with different situations in a way that will most benefit your child. Touchpoints will also tell you what to expect at various stages and guide you through the first six years of your childs life.

So why does it even matter?

The first three years of a childs life are critical to their lifelong development and learning. The relationships they build during this time will provide the foundation for social interactions for the rest of their lives. All domains of development should be exercised to ensure your child develops the skills and behaviors needed to prosper in life. A typical child that receives proper care, love, nutrition, and developmental appropriateness will grow to be a strong, healthy being with capabilities to form emotional and social relationships with others. Many child theorists believe that nurture is the most effective outlook on development. Children learn through experience, modeling, imitation, observation, and interaction. The skills and behaviors learned in the first 3 years shape a childs lifelong behavior. On the contrary, If needs are unmet, the child may suffer severe physical, mental, and developmental delays- some of which may be irreversible. It is also said that children who are under stress, due to their needs not being met, may also experience regression in their development. Stress overload in infants can cause neurons to disconnect and die out, hindering brain development. As a parent, it is your job to ensure these needs are met and that your child doesnt grow up to be monster.