606 Glossary
joint custody. Both parents keep their
parenting rights and responsibilities. (18)
L
Lamaze. A prepared childbirth method in
which parents attend weekly classes to
learn what to expect in the fi nal stages
of pregnancy and during labor and
delivery. (11)
leadership. The ability to direct and
infl uence others to achieve goals. (22)
learning disability. A disorder in one or more
psychological processes involving the
use of spoken and written language. (21)
Leboyer method. Childbirth method that
focuses on the birth experience of the
baby; it makes the birth process less
shocking and more comforting for the
baby. (11)
licensing. A document that ensures a child
care facility has been inspected and
meets basic standards. (20)
life skills. The routine eating, dressing, and
grooming skills children must learn for
self-care. (14)
lifestyle. A way of living. (2)
lisping. The mispronunciation of words by
dropping or distorting letter sounds,
usually consonants. (15)
locomotor skills. Gross-motor skills that
involve moving from place to place. (15)
logical consequences. Consequences parents
establish for misbehavior that show a
direct link between the misbehavior and
the consequence. (5)
long-term goals. Goals a person wants to
accomplish later, perhaps years from
now. (3)
M
maturation. The orderly sequence of
developmental changes shaped by
human genes. (4)
menarche. The fi rst menstrual period for
females. (17)
menstruation. Monthly discharge of the
endometrium from the uterus through
the vagina when fertilization does not
occur. (7)
miscarriage. Natural ending of pregnancy
before the fi fth month. (8)
mitten grasp. A grasp in which the palm and
fi ngers oppose the thumb. (13)
moral development. A gradual process that
refl ects a child’s understanding of the
difference between right and wrong. (1)
morality. Conformity to the ideals of right
human conduct. (6)
moral judgments. How a person reasons or
thinks about rules for ethical conduct. (6)
morals. Beliefs people have that help them
distinguish between right and wrong. (1)
motor skills. Skills that require the movement
and control of certain muscles. (13)
multicultural. Including people of more than
one culture. (6)
MyPlate. A food guidance system developed
by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
to help people ages 2 and older make
nutritious food choices. (9)
myth. Story or notion used to explain certain
traditions, practices, or beliefs that are
often half-truths and sometimes based on
false thinking. (1)
N
nanny. A specially trained child care
provider who may or may not live in the
family’s home. (20)
natural consequences. The common results
of misbehavior. (5)
negative reinforcement. A response that
makes repeating a behavior less likely. (4)