Discuss some negative outcomes for adopted children, as presented in the research. Do you think that all adoptees have more negative outcomes than non-adopted children? Explain your answer.
Discuss ways in which genetic abnormalities can affect the course of a child’s development. How might adaptive behaviors be affected? How might genetic abnormalities affect a child in terms of heredity-environment correlations?
Discuss the prenatal surgical procedure, as presented in the reading assignment “The Smallest Patient.” Do you think that there could be a negative side to saving babies who have defects? Explain your answer.
Discuss postpartum depression. How does it compare to the “baby blues”? How might postpartum depression affect the parent-child relationship?
Discuss some positive and negative outcomes of organized sports as a means of keeping children active. Do you think that organized sports are appropriate for children? Explain your answer.
Discuss how the developmental milestone of learning to crawl is subject to individual differences in infants. What are some ways in which parents can help their child’s crawling skills? What are some things to avoid?
Discuss some influences on children’s gender development. How do parents and siblings influence gender development? How does the use of gender stereotypes influence development? How do toys effect the construction of gender identities?
Discuss the difference between self-concept and self-esteem. What are some components of self-concept, and how is each related to real-world concepts?
