My virtual Child
Made a girl named Isla
1. Isla has a normal birth Labor was about ten hours long, and you gave birth naturally.
You are a proud that your “team” could make use of natural childbirth breathing and
relaxation techniques. When you got to hold Isla in the delivery room, you were
amazed that you and your partner had brought this new being into existence.
2. After only a week isla, you can already feel a hormonal connection. When isla cries,
you begin to lactate! This will increase if you choose to breast feed, but it will die off
gradually if you do not.
3. You are starting to notice that isla’s crying is rhythmic and moderately loud when she
is hungry, wet, or cold. Is she startled, there is a sudden intake of breath and a loud
wail, followed by more deep breaths and loud wails.
a. You try to respond to the different types of crying by changing, feeding,
or soothing little Isla.
4. Isla sleeps virtually all of the time, only waking when hungry, cold or wet. She
usually drifts back to sleep toward the end of the feeding
a. You talk quietly to isla during the feeding, making sure Isla sees your face a
great deal of the time
5. You want Isla to be active and curious about her environment, so you:
a. Talk to hold and interact with Isla whenever she seems interested. You are
most interesting and complex “toy” in her environment.
6. What kind of diapers will you uuse? The cloth diapers are more environmentally
sound, but a lot more work than the disposable diapers. And those diaper safety pins
are hard to work on a squirming baby
a. You decide to use cloth diapers on the weekend and disposables during the
week when your partner is less available to help due to your partners work
schedule.
7. For the first week or so isla wasn’t very hungry and actually lost a little weight.
However, now Isla has begun to feed heartily and gain some weight back.
a. You are worried about Isla’s weight, so you feed her often and try to get her
take a little extra each time.
8. Will you breast feed Isla?
a. Yes, but we will supplement with formula
9. You notice that Isla can learn a thing or two so you start working on her baby IQ
a. You walk around outside a lot carrying Isla or pushing her in the stroller so
she can hear and see things such as birds, trees, cars and dogs.
At 3 months of age, Isla is showing more intense interest in her suroundings. Isla smiles at
familiar people and toys, is able laugh at surprising or funny things (such as a little dog), and is
developing lots of cute little habits.
10. Sometimes Isla becomes fussy, is difficult to soothe, or has trouble taking a nap.
What will you do?
a. You keep you routine pretty regular (Feedings, playtime, nap time) and try to
get Isla to adapt to it gradually
,You have not been feeling very energetic since shortly after Isla was born. You are listless and
don’t take much interest in activities around you. You complain that you don’t have enough
energy to deal with the baby.
11. When hanging out with Isla your favorite activity is:
a. Rocking Isla in your arms and singing or talking to her, or dancing around
gently with her t music.
Isla is able to focus her eyes on you. She spends a lot of time studying your face and the faces of
anyone who comes close to her.
12. Isla is often drowsy, and even when awake spends a lot of time calmly examining
objects or gazing quietly at people. What will you do?
a. Mostly choose quiet activities, but occasionally introduce some more
energetic games such as swinging Isla around in circles, dancing around with
Isla etc.
13. Your partners job does not generate enough income at this point to meet your goals
of moving out of your apartment in the city, into an apartment or home in a safer
neighborhood with better schools. After discussion, you decide that
a. You will work outside the home part-time and Isla will be cared for through a
combination of your care, your partner’s care, limited use of relatives and use
of a state-certified home daycare provider (a highly recommended, nice
middle- aged women who takes care of two other babies in her home full-
time), as needed (about once or twice a week). The home daycare provider has
a safe, warm and stimulating home-type environment, and takes care of infants
until they are 18 months of age.
14. Isla is occasionally fussy after meals, and on rare occasions has diarrhea. However,
most of the time Isla is relaxed and content after meals
a. When Isla is fussy, hold Isla upright to your chest or shoulder and pat gently.
Burping is needed (not you – the baby)
15. If Isla was being breastfed, will that continue? (If Isla was not being breastfed pick
option 3)
a. We will use a mixture of breast feeding and formula for added flexibility as
long as Isla tolerates it well.
16. Isla is getting more curious about the world around her.
a. You bring Isla along to visit several new people (relatives and friends)
8 months you and your partner are able to spend a lot of time in the evenings or on weekends
playing with Isla. Everyone seems to be having a lot of fun
17. You play some fun games with Isla, such as
a. Playing peek-a-boo, patty cake and other social games
18. Recently Isla has beein in pretty good health, except for occasional bouts of
indigestion and diarrhea. After these brief bouts are over, Isla is usually interested in
trying new foods
a. You want to be cautious so you introduce new baby food veggies and meals
one at a time for several days in a row to see if Isla likes it, and digests It well.
Isla is sometimes a little reluctant to part from you at daycare and starts crying. He usually gets
over it quickly after you leave
19. At this point Isla is less physically active than other babies you know
, a. You are concerned that Isla may not be exploring and learning enough so
you make sure to provide stimulating toys and activities whenever she is
awake.
You try the object permeance test. Isla is able to find a hidden object, as long as you don’t wait
too long or distinct her in middle of the search. Isla really likes this hiding game and shows by
her interest that she wants it repeated. However, if you hide the object in the same place
repeatedly and then change the hiding place, Isla has a strong tendency to look in the old hiding
place, and then get confused about where the objects is or forget about it. This curious error was
first discovered by Piaget, but researchers have some new explanations for the error.
20. It has become clear that Isla shows a preference for you over others (especially when
distressed), with your partner a close second. How will your partner become a
stronger attachment figure for Isla?
a. You arrange for Isla to spend more time with several caregivers (grandma,
babysitter, aunt and the neighbor) to develop her social skills. You feel that
is what Isla needs to break away from a single attachment with you.
21. You and your partner have discussed your views on break-ups of long-term
partnership and marriage and:
a. You are both adamantly opposed to divorce on moral and or spiritual
grounds and because of concern about its effect on your child
22. You notice that Ila seems to have little goals that involves two steps of panning ahead,
so you encourage these cognitive advances by:
a. Engaging in normal social interactions, where these issues are bound to come
up frequently, given the propensity of children to exercise new abilities.
23. Isla is showing some fearfulness around unfamiliar people and clings to whoever
is holding her. What is your typical response?
a. Hold isla and let her warm up slowly to the stranger; if she doesn’t get
friendly after ten minutes try again later or give up for now,
24. You want isla to establish a regular bed-time and sleep through the night. You think
she’s almost there
a. You put isla down in her crib well fed and with a clean diaper at the same time
every night and ignore the crying unless it goes on for more than ten minutes
so she will learn to go to bed on time.
25. Sometimes isla is fussy or irritable for no apparent reason. When this happens you;
a. Sometimes make an effort to make physical contact but other times you are
too busy so you let Isla keep fussing to help develop her independence
26. It has become clear that Isla shows a preference for you over others (especially
when distressed) with your partner a close second. How will your partner become
stronger attachment figure for Isla?
a. Your partner will spend more time changing diapers feeding and playing with
Isla As Isla turns 9 months, the pediatrician has the following to say after a
routine physical exam, a few items administered from the Bayley Scales of
Infant Intelligence, and some observations of Isla in the playroom:
Isla has an obvious attachment to you and prefers you over other people but
seems to have fun playing with your partner. She was cautious at first with
the nurse and doctor, a normal reaction to strangers at this age.
, Based on your report, Isla is physically healthy. The doctor recommends a
greater variety of baby food and ground up fruits and vegetables.
Isla is cautious around new people and situations but warms up fairly quickly
to friendly people and to new and interesting activities and then begins to
vocalize a lot and make eye contact.
Isla has typical emotional reactions for her age, such as fear of total
strangers, separation anxiety and a quick, loud cry when upset or in pain.
Isla's motor skills are typical for age: crawling, sitting up, and standing up,
but not walking yet.
27. How was your babies eating, sleeping and motor development compare to the
typical development patterns?
a. Isla has typical sleeping patterns for her age, she is also eating quite typically
for her age however, we were instructed to give more variety into her diet such
as different ground fruits and vegetables. her emotional reactions to strangers
is typical for this age as well. her her motor skills are typical for this age for
crawling, sitting up but not walking yet.
28. At 8 months of age was your child an "easy", "slow-to-warm-
up", or "difficult" baby in terms of Thomas and Chess's classic
temperamental categories? On what do you base this
judgement
a. Isla is fairly easy to warm up to people she is cautious of new situations and
strangers but is quick to warm up to friendly people ad new interesting
activities. She eventually becomes more vocal and makes more eye contact
when she has warmed up to the environment. She has a typical emotional
reaction for her age such as fear towards strangers and separation anxiety. She
is quick to make loud cries if in pain or distressed. I based this judgement based
off the paediatrician's medical appointment with Isla as she is the professional
in child development.
She gave me advice on aspects to alter in order to better facilitate the Child
development and success.
29. How is your child's attachment to you and your partner
developing? What is happening at the 3-month and 8-month
periods that might affect attachment security according to
Bowlby and Ainsworth, and various research studies?
a. Isla's attachment towards me and my partner based off of the paediatricians
observation was that she had an obvious attachment towards me over others,
but had an attachment to my partner as well. She is quick to warm to friendly
strangers and form a connection with them as she did with the nurse and
doctor, this is typical for this age category. At 3 months according to Bowlby and
Ainsworth the child begins to show preference towards primary and secondary
care givers, which is seen by the doctor she shows a clear preference for me as
she sees me as a primary care giver and shows a preference towards my partner
as the secondary caregiver. this stage is known as the indiscriminate phase. Next
Made a girl named Isla
1. Isla has a normal birth Labor was about ten hours long, and you gave birth naturally.
You are a proud that your “team” could make use of natural childbirth breathing and
relaxation techniques. When you got to hold Isla in the delivery room, you were
amazed that you and your partner had brought this new being into existence.
2. After only a week isla, you can already feel a hormonal connection. When isla cries,
you begin to lactate! This will increase if you choose to breast feed, but it will die off
gradually if you do not.
3. You are starting to notice that isla’s crying is rhythmic and moderately loud when she
is hungry, wet, or cold. Is she startled, there is a sudden intake of breath and a loud
wail, followed by more deep breaths and loud wails.
a. You try to respond to the different types of crying by changing, feeding,
or soothing little Isla.
4. Isla sleeps virtually all of the time, only waking when hungry, cold or wet. She
usually drifts back to sleep toward the end of the feeding
a. You talk quietly to isla during the feeding, making sure Isla sees your face a
great deal of the time
5. You want Isla to be active and curious about her environment, so you:
a. Talk to hold and interact with Isla whenever she seems interested. You are
most interesting and complex “toy” in her environment.
6. What kind of diapers will you uuse? The cloth diapers are more environmentally
sound, but a lot more work than the disposable diapers. And those diaper safety pins
are hard to work on a squirming baby
a. You decide to use cloth diapers on the weekend and disposables during the
week when your partner is less available to help due to your partners work
schedule.
7. For the first week or so isla wasn’t very hungry and actually lost a little weight.
However, now Isla has begun to feed heartily and gain some weight back.
a. You are worried about Isla’s weight, so you feed her often and try to get her
take a little extra each time.
8. Will you breast feed Isla?
a. Yes, but we will supplement with formula
9. You notice that Isla can learn a thing or two so you start working on her baby IQ
a. You walk around outside a lot carrying Isla or pushing her in the stroller so
she can hear and see things such as birds, trees, cars and dogs.
At 3 months of age, Isla is showing more intense interest in her suroundings. Isla smiles at
familiar people and toys, is able laugh at surprising or funny things (such as a little dog), and is
developing lots of cute little habits.
10. Sometimes Isla becomes fussy, is difficult to soothe, or has trouble taking a nap.
What will you do?
a. You keep you routine pretty regular (Feedings, playtime, nap time) and try to
get Isla to adapt to it gradually
,You have not been feeling very energetic since shortly after Isla was born. You are listless and
don’t take much interest in activities around you. You complain that you don’t have enough
energy to deal with the baby.
11. When hanging out with Isla your favorite activity is:
a. Rocking Isla in your arms and singing or talking to her, or dancing around
gently with her t music.
Isla is able to focus her eyes on you. She spends a lot of time studying your face and the faces of
anyone who comes close to her.
12. Isla is often drowsy, and even when awake spends a lot of time calmly examining
objects or gazing quietly at people. What will you do?
a. Mostly choose quiet activities, but occasionally introduce some more
energetic games such as swinging Isla around in circles, dancing around with
Isla etc.
13. Your partners job does not generate enough income at this point to meet your goals
of moving out of your apartment in the city, into an apartment or home in a safer
neighborhood with better schools. After discussion, you decide that
a. You will work outside the home part-time and Isla will be cared for through a
combination of your care, your partner’s care, limited use of relatives and use
of a state-certified home daycare provider (a highly recommended, nice
middle- aged women who takes care of two other babies in her home full-
time), as needed (about once or twice a week). The home daycare provider has
a safe, warm and stimulating home-type environment, and takes care of infants
until they are 18 months of age.
14. Isla is occasionally fussy after meals, and on rare occasions has diarrhea. However,
most of the time Isla is relaxed and content after meals
a. When Isla is fussy, hold Isla upright to your chest or shoulder and pat gently.
Burping is needed (not you – the baby)
15. If Isla was being breastfed, will that continue? (If Isla was not being breastfed pick
option 3)
a. We will use a mixture of breast feeding and formula for added flexibility as
long as Isla tolerates it well.
16. Isla is getting more curious about the world around her.
a. You bring Isla along to visit several new people (relatives and friends)
8 months you and your partner are able to spend a lot of time in the evenings or on weekends
playing with Isla. Everyone seems to be having a lot of fun
17. You play some fun games with Isla, such as
a. Playing peek-a-boo, patty cake and other social games
18. Recently Isla has beein in pretty good health, except for occasional bouts of
indigestion and diarrhea. After these brief bouts are over, Isla is usually interested in
trying new foods
a. You want to be cautious so you introduce new baby food veggies and meals
one at a time for several days in a row to see if Isla likes it, and digests It well.
Isla is sometimes a little reluctant to part from you at daycare and starts crying. He usually gets
over it quickly after you leave
19. At this point Isla is less physically active than other babies you know
, a. You are concerned that Isla may not be exploring and learning enough so
you make sure to provide stimulating toys and activities whenever she is
awake.
You try the object permeance test. Isla is able to find a hidden object, as long as you don’t wait
too long or distinct her in middle of the search. Isla really likes this hiding game and shows by
her interest that she wants it repeated. However, if you hide the object in the same place
repeatedly and then change the hiding place, Isla has a strong tendency to look in the old hiding
place, and then get confused about where the objects is or forget about it. This curious error was
first discovered by Piaget, but researchers have some new explanations for the error.
20. It has become clear that Isla shows a preference for you over others (especially when
distressed), with your partner a close second. How will your partner become a
stronger attachment figure for Isla?
a. You arrange for Isla to spend more time with several caregivers (grandma,
babysitter, aunt and the neighbor) to develop her social skills. You feel that
is what Isla needs to break away from a single attachment with you.
21. You and your partner have discussed your views on break-ups of long-term
partnership and marriage and:
a. You are both adamantly opposed to divorce on moral and or spiritual
grounds and because of concern about its effect on your child
22. You notice that Ila seems to have little goals that involves two steps of panning ahead,
so you encourage these cognitive advances by:
a. Engaging in normal social interactions, where these issues are bound to come
up frequently, given the propensity of children to exercise new abilities.
23. Isla is showing some fearfulness around unfamiliar people and clings to whoever
is holding her. What is your typical response?
a. Hold isla and let her warm up slowly to the stranger; if she doesn’t get
friendly after ten minutes try again later or give up for now,
24. You want isla to establish a regular bed-time and sleep through the night. You think
she’s almost there
a. You put isla down in her crib well fed and with a clean diaper at the same time
every night and ignore the crying unless it goes on for more than ten minutes
so she will learn to go to bed on time.
25. Sometimes isla is fussy or irritable for no apparent reason. When this happens you;
a. Sometimes make an effort to make physical contact but other times you are
too busy so you let Isla keep fussing to help develop her independence
26. It has become clear that Isla shows a preference for you over others (especially
when distressed) with your partner a close second. How will your partner become
stronger attachment figure for Isla?
a. Your partner will spend more time changing diapers feeding and playing with
Isla As Isla turns 9 months, the pediatrician has the following to say after a
routine physical exam, a few items administered from the Bayley Scales of
Infant Intelligence, and some observations of Isla in the playroom:
Isla has an obvious attachment to you and prefers you over other people but
seems to have fun playing with your partner. She was cautious at first with
the nurse and doctor, a normal reaction to strangers at this age.
, Based on your report, Isla is physically healthy. The doctor recommends a
greater variety of baby food and ground up fruits and vegetables.
Isla is cautious around new people and situations but warms up fairly quickly
to friendly people and to new and interesting activities and then begins to
vocalize a lot and make eye contact.
Isla has typical emotional reactions for her age, such as fear of total
strangers, separation anxiety and a quick, loud cry when upset or in pain.
Isla's motor skills are typical for age: crawling, sitting up, and standing up,
but not walking yet.
27. How was your babies eating, sleeping and motor development compare to the
typical development patterns?
a. Isla has typical sleeping patterns for her age, she is also eating quite typically
for her age however, we were instructed to give more variety into her diet such
as different ground fruits and vegetables. her emotional reactions to strangers
is typical for this age as well. her her motor skills are typical for this age for
crawling, sitting up but not walking yet.
28. At 8 months of age was your child an "easy", "slow-to-warm-
up", or "difficult" baby in terms of Thomas and Chess's classic
temperamental categories? On what do you base this
judgement
a. Isla is fairly easy to warm up to people she is cautious of new situations and
strangers but is quick to warm up to friendly people ad new interesting
activities. She eventually becomes more vocal and makes more eye contact
when she has warmed up to the environment. She has a typical emotional
reaction for her age such as fear towards strangers and separation anxiety. She
is quick to make loud cries if in pain or distressed. I based this judgement based
off the paediatrician's medical appointment with Isla as she is the professional
in child development.
She gave me advice on aspects to alter in order to better facilitate the Child
development and success.
29. How is your child's attachment to you and your partner
developing? What is happening at the 3-month and 8-month
periods that might affect attachment security according to
Bowlby and Ainsworth, and various research studies?
a. Isla's attachment towards me and my partner based off of the paediatricians
observation was that she had an obvious attachment towards me over others,
but had an attachment to my partner as well. She is quick to warm to friendly
strangers and form a connection with them as she did with the nurse and
doctor, this is typical for this age category. At 3 months according to Bowlby and
Ainsworth the child begins to show preference towards primary and secondary
care givers, which is seen by the doctor she shows a clear preference for me as
she sees me as a primary care giver and shows a preference towards my partner
as the secondary caregiver. this stage is known as the indiscriminate phase. Next
