Week Three

Ahmad has developed into a capable and competent 18 month old child who is flourishing. The day care he has been attending provides significant interaction with other adult as well as other children. 

Khalid and Sasha have been teaching Ahmad sign language, and he has gotten quite proficient with it. It was important for Khalid since it is another way for him to communicate, and he wanted to make sure that Ahmad had a chance to know his father as much as possible. Khalid felt conflicted in that he didn't have a chance to conduct many of the rituals at birth that he knew had been done when he was born - Khalid wanted to preserve as many of his family's customs and traditions as he could. 

Ahmad also had some knowledge of Arabic, but it was hard to keep speaking Arabic in the home - particularly when Sasha was only somewhat familiar with the language. He was as cute as he could be when he spoke in either language. Khalid often thought of going back to Iraq to visit, but Sasha had deep reservations about a trip given the instability and the risks. 

* Describe typical developmental milestones for an 18 month old child. Be sure to include physical, cognitive, social and emotional domains. Describe Ahmad as a securely-attached, typically-developing 18 month old child who is able to sign and has an emerging sense of both English and Arabic.

* Present evidence for and against the practice of teaching children sign language at an early age. Some have indicated that such a practice might delay language development while other have indicated that teaching sign is helpful. Weigh in. What influence might the presence of 3 languages have on Ahmad's development? 

Week Two

Khalid and Sasha have decided that Ahmad will be raised as a Muslim. Sasha feels strongly about environmental issues, and she and Khalid have agreed to use natural products as much as possible with Ahmad. This will include using cloth diapers instead of disposables. Sasha also feels strongly about breastfeeding and plans to do so for as long possible.   

Ahmad was born without complication or incident, and mother and child returned home shortly after birth. Sasha took on the bulk of the caregiving, although Khalid supported the two by cooking and making sure all of the household needs were well-managed. In fact, Sasha and Khalid enjoyed significant time together with Ahmad, and he developed a secure attachment with each parent.

As Ahmad grew and flourished, it came time for Sasha to return to work. Khalid and Sasha were uncertain about putting Ahmad in day care, and they debated about it for some time. Khalid was able to stay home with Ahmad, but Sasha thought that interacting with other children would also be important, even at his young age.

* Why might someone choose to use cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers?

* Given that Sasha does not practice Islam, what challenges are likely to be associated with their decision to raise Ahmad as a Muslim? Do you foresee any conflicts between Khalid and Sasha? Provide research data regarding child rearing in households where religion differs between partners.

* Are there specific religious rituals and/or expectations that pertain to the birth process, the newborn, and then the infant in the religion of Islam? Other religions, for example, delineate specific practices regarding the newborn: in Judaism, circumcision takes place for the male child, and the Judeo-Christian tradition (most “mainstream” Christianity in the United States including Catholicism and mainstream Protestant denominations including Lutheranism, Presbyterianism, and Methodism) follows this practice.

* Outline the typical developmental milestones for newborns and infants in their first year.

* What are the recommended immunizations for newborns? What immunizations are typically provided just after birth? Which ones in the first year? How frequently should the newborn visit the pediatrician in terms of what is recommended? What is the CHAT and when is it given to parents? Outline Ahmad’s first year in terms of doctor visits. Provide rough information as to the fees associated with these visits.

* What is a “secure attachment?” What does such an attachment style predict with regard to later life outcomes?

DECISION POINT ::: How do Khalid and Sasha resolve the issue of whether to put Ahmad in day care?

Week One

Khalid and Sasha Nassar thought they wanted only one biological child, but then Sasha learned she was pregnant even though the two were not trying for another baby. Sasha was surely still quite able to have children, and her work schedule was flexible enough that she could stay with the new baby for some time. Khalid was thrilled and knew right away that he wanted the child to be named Ahmad if it was a boy. He had fond memories of his grandfather of the same name and wanted to carry on his family’s legacy. Sasha, unaccustomed to Khalid’s assumption that they would name the child after someone on his side of the family, grudgingly agreed. More recently, the two had been having heated conversations about how to raise the children with regard to religion. Khalid was a Muslim, and Sasha had been raised in a Lutheran household – indeed, the fact that the two were together was quite unusual to begin with. Now that they were raising children, these issues were raised frequently. Khalid was clear that he wanted the children to be raised according to Islam, and Sasha was not sure. In general, she was surprised at how strongly Khalid felt about this issue, and she wondered if it had to do with the fact that the new baby was a boy.    

·        

     1) What are the typical developmental milestones for the child in utero? Outline the stages of pregnancy and the threats to optimal development at each stage. When are teratogens most dangerous for the developing child?

·    2) Is there any published evidence to indicate that children cared for by fathers during infancy fare any differently than those cared for by mothers? Cite any evidence you can find from scholoarly resource on child development.  

·    3) Is it likely that Khalid’s hearing impairment will be passed on to Ahmad? Granted, we do not know the exact nature of Khlaid’s HI, but cite relevant literature to indicate under what circumstances (if any) might HI be passed on to offspring.

 

DECISION POINT ::: How do Khalid and Sasha resolve their differences around religion when it comes to raising their children? What do they decide to do?