My Baby Book
Ryan Christopher Keane
Purpose
Table of Contents
1) Prenatal (pregnancy)
2) Infancy and Childhood
3) Adolescence
4) Adulthood
THE FIRST STAGE of LIFE: Prenatal Development: Progress before birth
1) Germinal Stage- This stage is the first 2 weeks. The single celled zygote (fertilized egg) begins making a journey down the fallopian tube to the uterus where it will begin the process of cell division and growth.
2) Embryonic Stage- This is the stage where the mass of cells is now known as the embryo. This stage occurs the 3rd week after conception. The embryo begins to divide into 3 layers which will each become an important body system. Neural tubes form which will later form to the Central Nervous System. Around the 4th week the head and facial features begin to form along with the cardiovascular system. At the 8th week the embryo will have all basic organs besides sex organs. At this point the embryo weighs about 1 gram and is 1 inch in length.
3) Fetal Stage- This stage is when the embryo becomes a fetus. This stage begins on the 9th week and ends the day of the birth. The body systems formed in the embryonic stage continue to develop. The fetus continues to grown in weight and length. At about the 3rd month the sex organs begin to form and differentiate. During the 4th through 6th months, the heartbeat becomes stronger and other systems become more productive. Seven months until birth, the fetus continues to develop, put on weight, and prepare for life outside the womb. The lungs begin to expand and contract, preparing the muscles for breathing.
My Story about the Prenatal Development Stage
THE SECOND STAGE of LIFE: Infancy and Childhood
Types of Neonate Reflexes:
Grasp Reflex- Stroking the palm of a baby's hand will cause it to close its fingers in grasp. Last about 5-6 months of age.
Rooting Reflex- When the mouth of a baby is touched it will turn toward the touch or open the mouth. This helps the baby find the breast or bottle when feeding.
Sucking Reflex- Rooting helps the baby become ready to suck. When the roof of the babes mouth is touched, it will begin to suck. This does not begin until about the 32nd week of pregnancy. Pre-mature babies may struggle with this.
Swallowing Reflex- The reflex where when the baby feels something in their throat, it is a reflex to swallow.
Babinski Reflex- When the sole of the foot is touched, the big toe bends back toward the top of the foot and the other toes fan out. This is a normal reflex until about 2 years of age.
Moro Reflex- This is the reflex where sound startles the baby. It causes them to throw back their head and stretch out arms and legs and cry. Even their own cry can startle them. This last about 5-6 months.
My experience with Neonate Reflexes
Temperament
My temperament- My mother says i was a pretty easy one. I didn't cry much and was very easy to calm down. There was one time a tornado warning was happening at night while i was asleep and apparently i slept through the entire thing.
I was definitely most attached to my mother. She was the one who cared for me the most while my father was working. She was the person caring for me the most so this led to instant attachment.
Imprinting- The way we follow or trust the main person who is raising us.
Imprinting supports the attachment to my mother because she was the one who was there from the start and led me through my whole infancy.
I also formed an attachment with my stuffed dog that i called "doggie" It was rare to catch me without that stuffed animal.
Jean Piaget: Stage theory of Cognitive Development
Sensorimotor Stage (0 to 2 yrs):
During this stage, infants usually learn through trial and error learning. They rely on reflexes, and modify them to adapt to their world. They discover relationships between their body and environment.
My experience: When i was young my parents used to hide things under blankets and i would think they disappeared. As the end of the stage came and i was more aware of my surroundings, i was able to relive it was just under the blanket.
I had all my toy trucks that i used to play with during this stage. At the beginning i used to think that the cars were legit, but towards the end of the stage i knew they were just play toys.
Language Development
My first word was ball. I think this was my first word because i was surrounded by a very sporty family. My brother was always playing sports along with my older sisters. I first said this word when i was about 10 months. I also made a few funny sounds around this time. Our dogs name was Amigo and of course I could not say this so every time I saw him i would say "thuuuu" I don't know if i was trying to say Amigo or just a random noise but it sure was strange.
Telegraphic Speech- A simplified manner of speech in which only the most important content words are used to express words, while grammatical sentences containing conjunctions and prepositions are left out.
I did use telegraphic speech and i think that it was perfectly normal. Sentences like "I want milk" were not used. Instead, I would just say "milk".
Physical Development
I was a pretty normal child when it came to physical development. I begin to sit without support around 8 months, my first tooth came in at about 5 months, and i took my first steps at about 9 months.
Jean Piaget- Stage theory of Cognitive Development
Language development is one of the most important aspects of this stage. Children in this stage do not yet understand concrete logic, cannot mentally manipulate information, and are unable to take the point of view of other people. They become increasingly good at using symbols, they really enjoy pretending and playing, such as pretending a broom is a horse. They will also do a lot of role playing at this stage like pretending to be "daddy" or a doctor.
My experience- When i was about 4 or 5 i was alone in my backyard and i was pretending i was playing in a football game. I was diving around everywhere pretending i was making highlight reel catches and big hits. My mom was very upset to find me with mud covering my body. Around this age i had developed a love for hockey and my most prized possession was my hockey stick. My father tells me i used to sleep with it. This shows that i was mature enough to have a passion for something and shows the development I displayed during this stage. Also, I was starting to be able to develop a relationship with my older brother and younger sister.
Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 yrs)
My example:
My father used to trick me when we were drinking our favor juice. He would fill way more ice in mine so it looked like we had the same amount, but really he was getting way more juice.
Lev Vygotskys Theory of the Zone of Proximal Development
Zone of Proximal Development- The difference between what a learner can do without help and what he or she can do with help. Vygotsky challenged that a child follows an adult's example and slowly develops the ability to do things without any help.
My older brother, Andrew (now 19), was a big influence on my behaviors. I looked up to him greatly and wanted to do things he did. His favorite sport was hockey so i followed him and wanted to be just like him so i started playing hockey. Eventually, I was able to do things and make my own decisions on my own with out his influence, so when he quit hockey i continued to play because i loved it.
Jean Piaget- Stage theory of Cognitive Development: Formal Operational Stage (12 and up)
At this stage the child gain the ability to think in an abstract manner. Also they gain the ability to combine and classify items in a more intellectual way. They begin to manipulate ideas in their heads. They can now do mathematical calculations, think creatively, use abstract reasoning, and imagine an outcome of a particular action.
Adolescent ego centrism- Adolescent ego centrism is a persons belief that others are highly attentive to their behavior and appearance.
My example: To be honest sometimes if you think you're looking good and you walk by some girls then sometimes you believe they were "checking you out" When really they may not have been.
Adolescent "personal fable"- A persons belief that he is very special and unlike anyone else who has ever walked the earth. So pretty much the person thinks that since others are so obviously fascinated by him, he must be a very unique individual.
Adolescent "imaginary audience"- The belief that a group of followers exist who constantly watch and judge your every move.
My example: I do this all the time. While playing hockey, I sometimes believe that there is a group of scouts watching me at practice. And after every big play i make in practice, sometimes i really believe that those scouts saw it. It is very strange.
3 Parenting Styles
Permissive: The parent makes few demands for household responsibility and orderly behavior. The parents presents to the child that she is a resource if he needs it. Allows the child to regulate his activities as much as he can, avoid the exercise of control, and does not order him to obey standard.
Authoritative: Attempts to direct the childs activities but in a rational manner. Encourages verbal give and take, gives the child reasoning behind her policies, and gives punishment when the child refuses to obey. Kind of strict, but the parent does not overly restrict the child. Enforces her own perspective as an adult and recognizes the childs special interest.
I believe that there is no best type of parenting. This can be proven because there has been very successful people in this world that have been raised in all different settings of parenting.
My parents definitely fall under the Authoritative category because they demand respect and do have a lot of restrictions, but they are willing to listen to me and trust me enough to give my own opinion and give me a little freedom.
Personal Development
This is a major stage in development where the child has to learn the roles he will occupy as an adult. The person will re-examine his or her identity during this stage and try to figure out what their "purpose" is. You become more independent, and begin to look at the future in terms of career, family, and just how you want your life to end up. You begin to want to fit in to the society around you. Failure to find a role in society can lead to role confusion. Role confusion involves the individual not being sure about themselves or their place in society.
Intimacy vs. Isolation (ages 18-30)
During this stage of young adulthood, you begin to share yourself more intimately with others.You may explore relationships that might lead to long term commitments with people other than your family members. If you are successful with this stage, you are more likely to have comfortable relationships and a sense of commitment, that can lead to a happier life. But avoiding commitment and avoiding intimacy can lead to isolation, loneliness, and sometimes depression.
Personal Journal-
These two stages are probably the hardest hurdles to jump in life. It is very important to have an identity for yourself so you can pick relationships and career options that reflect who you are. Right now I am going through the "Identity vs. Role Confusion" stage. It has not been easy as I am still not 100% on what I want to do with my life so far, but one thing I do know is that I want to get a college degree while playing the sport I love. Being a hockey player kind of acts as an identity for me because it makes me unique. After college i plan to get a good job with my degree (which I don't know what i want to major in yet) and I definitely want to have an intimate relationship with someone. I do not feel like I will have any problem with long term commitment because I am pretty responsible when it comes to picking friends and relationships. This second stage can be a big hurdle to get through because finding a relationship may take time, and some people are not as patient as others. There has been a lot of depression cases just because somebody can't find a partner and I do not plan on this happening to myself.
Personality Development
We establish our careers, settle down within a relationship, begin our own families, and develop a sense of being a part of the bigger picture. You give back to society by raising children, succeeding at work, and being involved within the community. By failing to achieve these objectives, you can become stagnant and may feel unproductive. Success in this stage can lead to the virtue of care, while failure in this stage may lead to depression, divorce, etc.
Integrity vs. Despair (60's and up)
As you get older you begin to be less productive and explore life as a retired person. It is during this time you look over your accomplishments and are able to develop integrity if we see ourselves living a successful life. If you look back on life and have regrets, feel guilt, and think it was unproductive, then this can lead to hopelessness and depression. Success in this stage develops wisdom, which can help you accept death without fear.
Personal journal-
When I am at the age where I am going through the Generativity vs Stagnation stage, I hope to be the happiest man possible. I hope that i never feel stagnant, and i want to provide a good life for my kids. I want to live in a healthy community that will develop my kids in ways that they will be ready for the real world. I want to remain in good physical shape and remain active as i get older. I hope to have a good relationship with my wife that strives through spiritual beliefs. I hope that I will have a lot of money, but if I don't that is fine because the only thing I hope to achieve is happiness. When I am at the age where I am in the Integrity vs despair stage, I hope to have no regrets and know that I have lived a full life.