296 Unit 3 Infancy
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Experienced caregivers tend to almost ignore
many common, not-too-serious problems. Experi-
ence teaches that all babies are different and many
minor problems solve themselves in time.
Lesson
10.2
Review and Assessment
1. What conflict must infants resolve in the first
stage of Erikson’s psychosocial theory?
2. How can parents show respect for their baby’s
temperament?
3. Explain the importance of co-regulating crying
in infant-adult relationships.
4. Why is it important to soothe a fussy or crying
newborn?
5. The quality of an infant-adult relationship is
influenced by the _____ of messages and by
the _____ of the messages.
6. What can adults do to encourage infant
attachment?
7. Name three ways infants develop self-awareness.
8. Critical thinking. How do each of the tips
for reducing a baby’s stress align with the
guidelines for infant attachment and respecting
temperament earlier in this lesson?
changes. Also, the problem may be
because of a hurried or tense caregiver. In
these cases, the problem will likely end as
soon as the adult slows down or relaxes.
• Get help when needed. For example,
parents who have a fussy baby may
need to ask loving babysitters to give
them time to rest or leave home for a few
hours. Parents who need help coping with
stressful situations may seek treatment
from a mental health counselor.
• Give in to an infant’s demands sometimes,
if the results are not serious. Even infants
have wills of their own, and letting them
have their way sometimes is not going
to spoil or harm them. For example, if
an infant refuses to eat peas, try other
vegetables with similar nutrients.
• If the problem continues, talk to an
expert. A pediatrician or family doctor
can determine if there are any underlying
health issues.
• Remain calm. This helps the baby and
the adult.
Mental Health Counselor
Mental health counselors encourage clients to
discuss their social-emotional problems. They work
with their clients to develop skills that will help them
cope with difficult situations. Mental health counselors
help people understand and deal with their feelings.
They also diagnose and treat mental health disorders,
such as depression.
Career cluster: Human services.
Education: Educational requirements include a
master’s degree in a mental health field, such as
social work, psychology, or counseling. Licensure is
also required.
Job outlook: Future employment opportunities for
mental health counselors are expected to grow
much faster than the average for all occupations.
To learn more about a career as a mental health
counselor, visit the United States Department of
Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook website. You
will also be able to compare the job responsibilities,
educational requirements, job outlook, and average pay
of mental health counselors with similar occupations.
Careers