602 Glossary
children in self-care. Children who meet
their own needs after school until their
parents return home. (16)
child support payments. Payments one parent
makes to the custodial parent to help
meet the children’s fi nancial needs. (18)
chorionic villi sampling. Prenatal test,
usually given in 10th week, that
involves removing a sample of the
amnio-chorionic membrane to check for
congenital disorders. (9)
chromosome. Threadlike structure that
contains hereditary information. (7)
circumcision. Surgical removal of the male’s
foreskin, a skin fl ap that covers the head
of the penis. (11)
classifi cation. The process of putting a
person, object, or event in a group or
category according to one or more
common characteristics. (16)
cliques. Small exclusive groups of friends of
the same or mixed gender. (17)
closed adoption. No contact between the
birthparents and the adoptive family. (7)
closed toys. Toys that work only one way
and limit creativity. (14)
codependency. A psychological condition
in which a person is controlled or
manipulated by another with an
addiction. (19)
colic. Inconsolable crying that cannot be
comforted or soothed. (12)
colostrum. Thick, yellowish liquid in the
mother’s breasts that nourishes the
baby until the mother’s milk supply is
established. (10)
communicable. Diseases that are
transmittable through coughs, sneezes,
and contact with bodily fl uids. (21)
communication. Any means by which
people send and receive messages. (5)
conception. Fertilization of a mature egg by a
male sperm. (7)
conformity. To be similar in manner,
character, and conduct. (16)
congenital disorders. Disorders that people
are born with that result from heredity. (7)
conscience. Inner sense of moral goodness
that drives a person’s conduct,
intentions, or character. (6)
consequences. The results of alternatives, some
of which are good and others are not. (3)
conservation. The understanding that certain
properties remain the same even if they
change in appearance. (16)
contraception. The deliberate prevention of
pregnancy, or birth control. (7)
contractions. Pains felt during labor when
the muscles of the uterus contract to
open the cervix. (11)
cooing. One-syllable, vowel-like sounds such
as ooh, ah, and aw. (13)
cooperative child care. A type of ownership
in which parents join together to provide
care and services for their children. (20)
cooperative education. A combination of
classroom training and paid, on-the-job
training in a certain occupation. (22)
cooperative play. A form of play in which
older preschoolers join forces to form
group goals for play. (15)
cradle cap. A condition in which a scaly crust
appears on a baby’s scalp. (12)
crawling. Pulling with the arms while the
abdomen remains on the fl oor. (13)
creativity. Producing a new or original idea,
product, or process. (16)
creeping. Moving on the hands and knees. (13)
crisis. An unforeseen situation that demands
adjustment by all family members. (19)
cultural bias. Belief that a person’s own
cultural or ethnic group is better than
any other. (6)
cultural traditions. Customs, beliefs, and
behaviors that are shared by members of
a cultural or ethnic group. (1)
custody. The right and responsibility to raise
a child and make decisions about the
child’s care, upbringing, and overall
welfare within the framework given by
the court. (18)