608 Glossary
physical disability. A limitation of a person’s
body or its function. (21)
physical neglect. Failure to provide food,
clothing, shelter, medical care, education,
and supervision for a child. (19)
picture books. Books that contain only
pictures, have pictures that dominate the
text, or have words and pictures that are
equally important. (14)
pincer grasp. Grasping objects between the
thumb and index fi nger. (13)
placenta. A special organ that allows
nutrients, oxygen, and water to pass
from mother to baby. It also allows the
baby’s waste products to pass to the
mother for elimination. (8)
play groups. Informal groups in which
parents exchange child care services
and arrange for their children to play
together. (20)
portfolio. A collection of materials that
document achievements over time. (22)
positive discipline. The process of
intentionally teaching and training a
child to behave in appropriate ways. (4)
positive reinforcement. A response that makes
repeating a behavior more likely. (4)
postpartum depression. A serious mood
disorder that follows childbirth. (11)
postpartum period. A period of time that
begins when the baby is born and lasts
about six weeks. (11)
preconcepts. According to Piaget, these are
toddler concepts and reasoning that are
illogical and confused. (14)
pregnancy. Time during which a fertilized
egg grows and develops into a human
being inside the mother’s body. (8)
pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).
Pregnancy-related high blood pressure. (8)
prejudice. Unfair judgments or opinions
about people of another group. (6)
prelogical. Illogical and irrational thinking
that occurs during the toddler years,
according to Piaget. (14)
prenatal care. Special care a woman and
her developing baby need during
pregnancy. (9)
prenatal development. Development that
occurs between conception and birth. (8)
prenatal vitamin. Supplement containing
extra folic acid, iron, calcium, and other
important nutrients that women take
during pregnancy. (9)
preoperational stage. The stage before logical
thought and advanced reasoning. (14)
prepared childbirth. Birth method in which
both parents learn about the birth
process. (10)
preschooler. A child ages 3 through
5 years. (15)
primary caregiver. Person who spends the
most time with the baby. (10)
problem ownership. Communication
technique that defi nes who owns a
problem—the child, the parent, or
both. (5)
puberty. The process through which the body
becomes capable of reproduction. (16)
punishment. A penalty for something a
person has done wrong. (4)
Q
quality rating systems (QRSs). The use
of various quality standards, such as
licensing, accreditation, fi nancing, and
parent education, to rate a child care
program. (20)
R
realistic expectations. Knowledge of
developmental skills children have at a
certain age that helps parents provide an
atmosphere for growth and learning. (1)
reciprocity. Behavior that occurs when
people treat others in the same way they
want to be treated; involves mutual give
and take. (6)