1. What happens in the brain during the first few years of life? Why does brain weight triple during that time period?
2. There is a great deal of debate regarding a parent staying at home and raising the child, having a nanny in the home, or using outside childcare. Which method of childcare do you believe is best for the child? Why? Support your answer with theories and research data.
3. Based on developmental theories (e.g. Erickson, Piaget etc), what are some ways that a parent can affect a child's behavior? Which way do you believe is the most effective and why?
4. In today's society, many fathers are choosing to stay home to take care of their young children while the mothers go to work. Given what you know about early childhood development, what are the effects of this on the young child?
5. John Bowlby felt that in order for a child to grow up psychologically healthy he or she had to have a close and continuous care-giving relationship with a significant person. In light of Bowlby's theories, what is the effect of placing an infant into an early daycare environment on the emotional wellbeing of that child?
6. Do you believe that a young child should be punished for misbehavior? Why or why not? Consider different types of punishment in your answer.
7. Most parents buy toys for their children that are gender specific; for example, they buy dolls for little girls and trucks for little boys. What is the effect of play activities on the development of gender roles for children? Do you think children should play with gender specific toys? Why?
8. What is the importance of childhood play activities? What effect do these activities have on the child's sense of him or herself?