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8 months - Primary Emotions
At 8 months, Ruby Blue demonstrates the primary emotion of fear. This is evident when Ruby meets new adults and has 'stranger anxiety'. She shows facial expressions of fear and will cling to me, showing her developing attachment to familiar people. This is a normal response that can begin to develop around 6 months of age, and is part of the limited range of emotions for infants. Other primary emotions that become differentiated at this time are anger, sadness, surprise, and happiness.(pp164-65) -
8 months - Object Permanence
Ruby shows a developing sense of object permanence. She will look for a toy we hide in an obvious spot (obvious to us), as long as not too much time elapses. Object permanence is from Piaget's theory of cognitivie development. It is an understanding that objects and people continue to exist even when we cannot see them. According to Piaget, object permanence starts to develop between 4-8 months old (pp.149-150). -
12 Months - First Word
We are very excited that Ruby Blue has said her first word - the name of my parent's dog! This is around the normal time for saying a first word, which is usually around 8-10 months. Like other infants, Ruby also uses gestures to communicate, and she can probably understand far more words than she can actually say. This is typical in all languages, where comprehension exceeds production. Soon, Ruby will be able to say more words. (pp.157) -
Age 2 - Potty Training
Ruby Blue begins potty training, making it to the toilet about 60% of the time, then finally making it about 100% of the time. This is a normal age to begin toilet training. It is a gradual process spread over weeks, months, or even years. Pediatricians recommend starting training when the child begins staying dry for an hour or two, when there is regularity in their bowel movements, when they have increased anticipation of the event, or when they directly ask to use the bathroom. (pp.184) -
18 Months - Attachment
Ruby begins to show a secure attachment to me. When I leave her with the baby sitter she cries, and is happy and comforted when I return. Secure attachment is one of Bowlby's classifications of attachment. This is the healthiest classification, in which the child uses the parent as a base from which to explore the environment. The child protests with the parent leaves, and is happy when they return. (pp.209). -
Age 3 - teeth
Ruby Blue has a full set of teeth! Ruby now has all 20 of her primary or 'baby' teeth. This normally happens by the 3rd birthday. From age 6 to 14, these will be replace by 32 permanent teeth. For now, we are glad the teething stage is over. (pp.231) -
Age 3- Siblings
Ruby Blue gets a younger sister! She is sometimes jealous of the attention her sister gets, so she will try to get our attention by acting out and whining. However, mostly she is helpful and likes to care for her sister. Jealousy and caretaking are both normal reactions to having a new sibling. (pp.268) -
Age 6 - Language Development
At 6 years of age, Ruby Blue quickly learns to read, and starts reading 1st and 2nd grade books. She also learns the words to new songs quickly. This is because early childhood is a 'sensitive period' for language development, meaning that there is a high capacity for learning in a certain area. At this time in life, children learn new vocab through 'fast mapping' - they form a mental map of word categories and how they are connected. (pp.250) -
Age 12 - Gender Intensification
Ruby Blue is getting more feminine in accordance with traditional gender roles. She starts to wear makeup, care about clothes, and likes dresses. According to the gender intensification hypothesis, these changes are the result of stronger pressures to conform to a culture's prescribed gender roles rather than the result of biological changes during puberty. (pp 366)