Glossary 443
cultural generativity.
Giving back to future
generations by passing on cultural values and
traditions. (11)
curriculum.
The material and content taught in a
school or program. (16)
curriculum developer.
A professional who helps
develop course content in a program of study
or specific course. Also called an
instructional
coordinator.
(16)
cyberbullying.
Harassment of others through
a digital medium; includes cruel and hurtful
messages. (9)
D
day care centers.
Center-based child care facilities
that offer care to large groups of infants, toddlers,
and children with several caregivers employed. (13)
decision-making process.
Series of six steps that
involves examining an issue, analyzing alternatives,
and acting based on careful evaluation. (9)
deductive reasoning.
Using general observation or
theory to reach a detailed conclusion. (11)
dementia.
A brain disorder that involves cognitive
declines and memory loss. This also impairs a
person’s ability to perform everyday tasks, such as
self-dressing, cleaning, eating, and remembering
where items are placed. (12)
democratic parenting style.
A parenting style that
offers support with firm expectations. Also called
authoritative parenting style.
(7)
dentures.
Manufactured, custom-made teeth that
replace natural teeth. (12)
descriptive studies.
Method of data collection
used to obtain information that describes people
and situations, such as their ages, attitudes, or
behaviors. (2)
developmental acceleration.
When a child’s
development exceeds the norms for other children
the same age. (5)
developmental delay.
When a child’s development
lags behind the norms for other children the same
age. (5)
developmentally appropriate practices
(DAPs).
Age-appropriate activities and
teaching methods that also consider
each child’s strengths, interests, and
culture. (13)
developmentally inappropriate practices
(DIPs).
Activities that focus on infants, toddlers,
or children as a group without considering
developmentally appropriate activities or individual
preferences. (13)
developmental theories.
Comprehensive
explanations about why people act and behave the
way they do and how they change over time. (2)
development director.
Professional who
implements strategies for securing funding to meet
program goals and objectives. (17)
diabetic retinopathy.
Eye disease that involves
damage to the blood vessels in the retina, which
causes blurred vision. (12)
dilation stage.
Labor stage that causes the cervix
opening to widen. (4)
disability.
Cognitive or physical impairment that
impedes or limits common activities. (3)
discontinuity.
The process of development, spurred
by abrupt changes. (1)
doula.
A kind of emotional coach used by some
mothers during childbirth. (4)
Down syndrome.
A disorder that causes a delay
in physical, intellectual, and language
development. (2)
dyslexia.
Developmental reading disorder
characterized by difficulty understanding and
recognizing letters, symbols, and sentence
meanings. (8)
E
eating disorder.
Serious condition that involves
abnormal eating patterns that can cause severe or
life-threatening physical problems. (9)
ecological theory.
Assigning traits and behaviors
based on a person’s environment. (2)
educational neglect.
Failure to conform to a state’s
legal requirements to provide for a child’s education
or special education needs. (14)
egocentrism.
The inability to take another person’s
perspective. (7)
elder abuse.
Any act that threatens or harms the
health or well-being of an older adult. (14)
embryo.
Term used to describe the developing baby
during the embryonic period. (4)
embryonic period.
Pregnancy stage that extends
from conception to the ninth week of pregnancy. (4)
emergency and relief worker.
Professional who
goes into communities to help people deal with the
aftermath of a disaster. (17)
emotional abuse.
Involves constant criticism,
threats, or rejection that harms a person’ sense
of self-worth and emotional development.
Withholding love, support, or guidance is also a part
of emotional abuse. (14)