Category: Cultural Aspects to Working with Families & Babies

For each expectation, explain which do you believe is normal (A or B). Why?

Expectation #1

1. Babies can learn to sleep alone through the night; when depends on the baby & how the family handles the baby waking at night.
2. Babies can’t be expected to sleep alone or sleep through the night. Putting a baby in a crib in another room is cruel. l.

Expectation #2

1. Toilet training occurs during the 3rd year of life, when signs of readiness appear
2.  Infants can be toilet trained & out of diapers by their 1st birthday

Expectation #3

1.  Babies can be expected to make eye contact, which is a way of establishing intimacy & is part of attachment.
2.  Babies can be expected to make eye contact, but they must learn not to make eye contact with elders.

Expectation #4

1. Toddlers have to come to see themselves as individuals who can possess objects before they can learn to share. They have to understand ownership.
2.  Toddlers have to understand that they are not individuals & that all possessions are shared. They can be expected to share from birth.

What are the best practices for working with families who have infants from the readings and video in this module?  Identify your source (readings or video) as you develop the list.

Your reading may have described families of older children; how can you apply the information to families who have infants?