1. A Little Thing That Changes EVERYTHING! Child Development

2. Copyright Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. These Materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of TEA, except under the following conditions: 1) Texas public school districts, charter schools, and Education Service Centers may reproduce and use copies of the Materials and Related Materials for the districts’ and schools’ educational use without obtaining permission from TEA. 2) Residents of the state of Texas may reproduce and use copies of the Materials and Related Materials for individual personal use only, without obtaining written permission of TEA. 3) Any portion reproduced must be reproduced in its entirety and remain unedited, unaltered and unchanged in any way. 4) No monetary charge can be made for the reproduced materials or any document containing them; however, a reasonable charge to cover only the cost of reproduction and distribution may be charged. Private entities or persons located in Texas that are not Texas public school districts, Texas Education Service Centers, or Texas charter schools or any entity, whether public or private, educational or non-educational, located outside the state of Texas MUST obtain written approval from TEA and will be required to enter into a license agreement that may involve the payment of a licensing fee or a royalty. For information contact: Office of Copyrights, Trademarks, License Agreements, and Royalties, Texas Education Agency, 1701 N. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701-1494; phone 512-463-7004; email: copyrights@tea.state.tx.us.copyrights@tea.state.tx.us 2

3. Prenatal Care Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved. Medical care is the most important and best way to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Essential nutrients are vital to the health of your baby. A woman should gain between 25-35 pounds in pregnancy. Get as much rest and sleep as possible. As per your doctor’s advise, keep as active as possible. Exercise, but avoid contact sports. Avoid alcohol, drugs and medicine during pregnancy. 3

4. Sexually Transmitted Infections Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved. A mother could be infected with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as syphilis or gonorrhea that could be dangerous to her unborn baby. STIs can have serious effects on the unborn baby. Prevention is the best way to keep unborn babies safe from these infections. 4

5. Financial Responsibilities Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved. The latest report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that middle-class parents of a child born in 2013 could expect to spend more than a quarter of a million dollars in the child's first 18 years. Parents should evaluate their finances before deciding to start a family. Parents must consider indirect costs and foregone income when planning to start a family. Parents must set up a budget and follow it in order to meet the needs of a child. 5

6. Relationships and Parenting Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved. A couple must consider many things before deciding to become parents. Becoming a parent is the most important job you are ever going to have. A couple must be ready Emotionally Physically Mentally Financially for a baby 6

7. Birth Defects Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved. Most birth defects occur in the first three months of pregnancy. Some birth defects are easy to see such as cleft palate but others such as heart defects and hearing loss can be diagnosed by special tests. Some birth defects are caused by hereditary factors (genes), environmental factors or our behaviors. Visit this website to learn more about specific birth defects. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/types.html http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/types.html 7

8. Tips for Preventing Birth Defects Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved. Eat a well balanced diet and take a multivitamin daily which includes the recommended 400 mcg of folic acid. If you are thinking about getting pregnant or are pregnant, avoid all alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs and caffeine. activities that could potentially lead to birth defects. Visit your gynecologicist on an annual basis for wellness exam. Plan on obtaining genetic counseling and birth defect screening, particularly if you have any family history of birth defects or if you are 35 years of age or older. 8

9. Special Needs Child Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved. Having a child with a birth defect or chronic illness can be overwhelming for a family. It can be very beneficial to join a support group. Experts and individuals in similar situations might have advice on how to address some concerns and questions parents may have. Support groups for families http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/families-support.html 9

10. References and Resources Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved. Textbook: Decker, Celia. _Child Development; Early Stages Through Age 12._ 7th. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox, 2011. 77-97. 119-141. Websites: American Pregnancy Association The American Pregnancy Association is a national health organization committed to promoting reproductive and pregnancy wellness through education, research, advocacy, and community awareness. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/index.htm Any Baby Can Since 1982, Any Baby Can has been a compass for families in need. Providing direction and guidance for families of children with special needs is at the heart of this organization. The impact the birth of a child with special needs has on the family is immense. http://www.anybabycansa.org/ Attorney General of Texas Greg Abbott As the official child support enforcement agency for the State of Texas, the Office of the Attorney General provides services for parents who wish to obtain or provide support for their children. Includes rights and responsibilities of parents. https://www.oag.state.tx.us/cs/about/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Facts about birth defects, diagnosis, preventing birth defects, specific birth defects and data. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/facts.html 10