After you have completed the Reading, and without reviewing your classmate's responses, post your initial response to the following Discussion. Your post should be at least 200-250 words in length and should extend the discussion of the group supported by your course materials and/or other appropriate resources.

Child and Adolescent Development Unit 2 Discussion

Read Chapter 3, “The Start of Life” and Chapter 4, “Birth and the Newborn Infant” in your text, Child Development: A Topical Approach.

WATCH VIDEO

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/how-smart-can-we-get.html

Watch the video How Smart Can We Get?

Source: (2013, June 18). PBS Video. Nature/Nurture. [Video file.] How Smart Can We Get? Retrieved from http://video.pbs.org/video/2293519817

Watch the following *MyPsychLab videos:

· The Basics: Genetic Mechanisms and Behavioral Genetics

· Classical Conditioning: An Involuntary Response

· Operant Conditioning: Learning from Consequences

*To access MyPsychLab videos and MyVirtualChild, go to MyPsychLab under Course Home.

Unit 2: Unit 2: The Beginning: Prenatal Development, Birth, and Newborns – Discussion

After you have completed the Reading, and without reviewing your classmate’s responses, post your initial response to the following Discussion. Your post should be at least 200-250 words in length and should extend the discussion of the group supported by your course materials and/or other appropriate resources.

Case of Alex and Sally

You are working as a child protection caseworker for the state and have been concerned about one of your foster families. Earlier in the week, Martha (foster mom) called in distressed because baby Alex (10 months) did not seem to be engaging in social activities or learning much and she fears that he is “withdrawn and delayed”. She complained that his foster sister Sally (16 months) was much more adventurous and sociable. Both children have been evaluated by a child psychologist and were found to be within acceptable rates of development.

You have an appointment with Martha to discuss her concerns. How will you explain the influences of genetics and the environment to help her understand individual differences? What advice would you give to Martha to help her foster growth for Alex?

Discussion responses should be on topic, original, and contribute to the quality of the Discussion by making frequent informed references to course materials and Seminars.