As the Colombian author and journalist Gabriel Garcia Marquez wrote in Love in the Time of Cholera,
People are not born once and for all on the day that their mother puts them on to the Earth, but. . . time and again, life forces them to enter a new world on their own.
Further reading
Readers who want to know more about the scientific literature behind the book The Wonder Weeks may consult the literature listed below.
Bell, M., & Wolfe, C.D. (2004). Emotion and cognition: An intricately bound developmental process. Child Development, 75, 366-370.
Bever, T.G. (1982). Regressions in mental development: Basic phenomena and theories. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Cools, A. R. (1985). Brain and behavior: Hierarchy of feedback systems and control of input. In P. P. G. Bateson & P. H. Klopfer (Eds.), Perspectives in Ethology (pp. 109-168). New York: Plenum.
Feldman, D.H. & Benjamin, A.C. (2004). Going backward to go forward: The critical role of regressive moment in cognitive development. Journal of Cognition and Development, 5(1), 97-102.
Heimann, M. (Ed.). (2003). Regression periods in human infancy. Mahwah, New Jersey: Erlbaum.
Horwich, R.H. (1974). Regressive periods in primate behavioral development with reference to other mammals. Primates, 15, 141-149.
Plooij, F. (1978). Some basic traits of language in wild chimpanzees? In A. Lock (Ed.), Action, gesture and symbol: The emergence of language (pp. 111-131). London: Academic Press.
Plooij, F. (1979). How wild chimpanzee babies trigger the onset of motherinfant play and what the mother makes of it. In M. Bullowa (Ed.), Before speech: the beginning of interpersonal communication (pp. 223-243). Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.
Plooij, F. (1984). The behavioral development of free-living chimpanzee babies and infants. Norwood, N.J.: Ablex.
Plooij, F. (1987). Infant-ape behavioral development, the control of perception, types of learning and symbolism. In J. Montangero (Ed.), Symbolism and Knowledge (pp. 35-64). Geneva: Archives Jean Piaget Foundation.
Plooij, F. (1990). Developmental psychology: Developmental stages as successive reorganizations of the hierarchy. In R. J. Robertson (Ed.), Introduction to modern psychology: The control-theory view (pp. 123-133). Gravel Switch, Kentucky: The Control Systems Group, Inc. distributed by Benchmark Publ., Bloomfield NJ
Plooij, F. X. (2003). The trilogy of mind. In M. Heimann (Ed.), Regression periods in human infancy (pp. 185-205). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Plooij, F.X. (2010). The 4 WHY’s of age-linked regression periods in infancy. In Barry M. Lester & Joshua D. Sparrow (Eds.), Nurturing Children and Families: Building on the Legacy of T. Berry Brazelton. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
Plooij, F., & van de Rijt-Plooij, H. (1989). Vulnerable periods during infancy: Hierarchically reorganized systems control, stress and disease. Ethology and Sociobiology, 10, 279-296.
Plooij, F., & van de Rijt-Plooij, H. (1990). Developmental transitions as successive reorganizations of a control hierarchy. American Behavioral Scientist, 34, 67-80.
Plooij, F., & van de Rijt-Plooij, H. (1994). Vulnerable periods during infancy: Regression, transition, and conflict. In J. Richer (Ed.), The clinical application of ethology and attachment theory (pp. 25-35). London: Association for Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
Plooij, F., & van de Rijt-Plooij, H. (1994). Learning by instincts, developmental transitions, and the roots of culture in infancy. In R. A. Gardner, B. T. Gardner, B. Chiarelli & F. X. Plooij (Eds.), The ethological roots of culture (pp. 357-373). Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Plooij, F., & van de Rijt-Plooij, H. (2003). The effects of sources of “noise” on direct observation measures of regression periods: Case studies of four infants’ adaptations to special parental conditions. In M. Heimann (Ed.), Regression periods in human infancy (pp. 57-80). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Plooij, F., van de Rijt-Plooij, H. H. C., van der Stelt, J. M., van Es, B., & Helmers, R. (2003). Illness-peaks during infancy and regression periods. In M. Heimann (Ed.), Regression periods in human infancy (pp. 8195). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Plooij, F. X., van de Rijt-Plooij, H., & Helmers, R. (2003). Multimodal distribution of SIDS and regression periods. In M. Heimann (Ed.), Regression periods in human infancy (pp. 97-106). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Powers, William T. (1973). Behavior: The control of perception. Chicago: Aldine. Second edition (2005), revised and expanded, Bloomfield NJ: Benchmark Publications.
Sadurni, M., & Rostan, C. (2003). Reflections on regression periods in the development of Catalan infants. In M. Heimann (Ed.), Regression periods in human infancy (pp. 7-22). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Trevarthen, C. & Aitken, K. (2003). Regulation of brain development and age-related changes in infants’ motives: The developmental function of regressive periods. In M. Heimann (Ed.), Regression periods in human infancy (pp. 107-184). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
van de Rijt-Plooij, H., & Plooij, F. (1987). Growing independence, conflict and learning in mother-infant relations in free-ranging chimpanzees. Behaviour, 101, 1-86.
van de Rijt-Plooij, H., & Plooij, F. (1988). Mother-infant relations, conflict, stress and illness among free-ranging chimpanzees. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 30, 306-315.
van de Rijt-Plooij, H., & Plooij, F. (1992). Infantile regressions: Disorganization and the onset of transition periods. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 10, 129-149.
van de Rijt-Plooij, H., & Plooij, F. (1993). Distinct periods of mother-infant conflict in normal development: Sources of progress and germs of pathology. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 34, 229-245.
Woolmore, A., & Richer, J. (2003). Detecting infant regression periods: weak signals in a noisy environment. In M. Heimann (Ed.), Regression periods in human infancy (pp. 23-39). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
www.livingcontrolsystems.com (Living Control Systems Publishing) For those who are interested in further information on the Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) concerning the functioning of the human brain that inspired much of the thinking behind The Wonder Weeks, this resource site features books, introductions and commentary, simulation programs for your computer, and more.
Index
A
Adapting to baby’s responses, 33, 53, 65-66
Aggravation. See Anger, parental
Aggression, avoiding, 90-91, 117-18, 142, 158, 193, 210, 247, 283, 323, 351
Anger, parental
week 8 developmental leap, 64-65
week 12 developmental leap, 87
week 19 developmental leap, 118
week 26 developmental leap, 158
week 37 developmental leap, 193, 209-10
week 46 developmental leap, 245-46
week 55 developmental leap, 282-83
week 64 developmental leap, 323-24
week 75 developmental leap, 391, 405
Annoyance. See Irritability, parental
Antics, physical, 334-36
Appearance of newborn, 34-35
Appetite, loss of
week 8 developmental leap, 58
week 12 developmental leap, 86
week 19 developmental leap, 114
week 26 developmental leap, 153
week 37 developmental leap, 206
week 46 developmental leap, 240
week 55 developmental leap, 277
week 64 developmental leap, 316
week 75 developmental leap, 375
Architecture, basic, 382, 389, 427-28
Arguments, parental
week 26 developmental leap, 158
week 37 developmental leap, 209-10
week 46 developmental leap, 246
week 55 developmental leap, 282
week 64 developmental leap, 322
week 75 developmental leap, 377
Art, 380, 383, 388, 390, 422-24, 424
Attention, demand for
appearance and, 34
newborn’s, 34
week 8 developmental leap, 58
week 12 developmental leap, 86
week 19 developmental leap, 113
week 26 developmental leap, 151
week 37 developmental leap, 202
week 46 developmental leap, 236
week 55 developmental leap, 274
week 64 developmental leap, 311-13, 318
week 75 developmental leap, 375, 378
B
Babyish behavior
week 37 developmental leap, 206
week 46 developmental leap, 240
week 55 developmental leap, 277
week 64 developmental leap, 316-17
week 75 developmental leap, 375
Baby-proofing home, 133, 174, 221
Baby talk, 121
Balancing games, 187-88
Baths, 79, 185
“Big change” of developmental leaps
mental development and, 12-13
nervous system changes and, 13
overview, 12
phases of, common, 17
sign of, major, 12-13
week 5, 45-46, 48
week 8, 66-67, 67, 71
week 12, 93, 93, 96-97
week 19, 119-21, 126-27
week 26, 159, 164-66
week 37, 221-13, 213
week 46, 247, 253-54
week 55, 284-85, 289
week 64, 324-30, 330
week 75, 377-82, 382
Body movement
games, 177, 186-89, 264-65, 334-36, 364, 394-95
investigative behavior and, 105-6, 128-30, 172-73, 221-22, 396
nakedness and, 130, 393, 398-99
walking, 179, 205, 240, 272, 334-36, 379, 393, 396-98, 430
week 12 developmental leap, 105-6
week 19 developmental leap, 128-30
week 26 developmental leap, 166, 176-80
week 64 developmental leap, 334-35
week 75 developmental leap, 394-95
Body postures, 76
Boredom, alleviating, 33, 297
Brain changes
week 5 developmental leap, 46
week 8 developmental leap, 67
week 12 developmental leap, 93
week 19 developmental leap, 121
week 37 developmental leap, 213
week 55 developmental leap, 285
week 64 developmental leap, 330
week 75 developmental leap, 382
Breathing reflex, 32-34
C
Caretaking time for babies, 97
Clinginess
week 5 developmental leap, 40
week 8 developmental leap, 59
week 12 developmental leap, 86
week 19 developmental leap, 111
week 26 developmental leap, 152
week 37 developmental leap, 184-86
week 46 developmental leap, 234-35
week 55 developmental leap, 273-74
week 64 developmental leap, 307, 309-10, 320-21
week 75 developmental leap, 373, 374, 375, 376-77, 439
Comforting baby
in good and bad moods, 23
importance of, 49-50, 66
slings for, 43
tips, 43
Concern, parental
week 5 developmental leap, 40-43
week 8 developmental leap, 61-65
week 12 developmental leap, 87-92
week 26 developmental leap, 157
week 75 developmental leap, 376
Conscience, 378, 384, 390-92, 442
Confidence in handling newborn, 20-23
Consistency, importance of, 228, 362-63, 390
Control, maintaining, 118, 142, 158, 210-14
Copycat games, 224-25
Crankiness, 10
week 5 developmental leap, 39
week 8 developmental leap, 57
week 12 developmental leap, 85
week 19 developmental leap, 114
week 26 developmental leap, 149, 152, 154
week 37 developmental leap, 199, 205, 208
week 46 developmental leap, 237
week 55 developmental leap, 275
week 64 developmental leap, 313, 320,
week 75 developmental leap, 374, 375, 376, 439
Crawling, 130, 172-74
Creativity, 297, 352, 359, 422-24, 434-35
Crying
in fussy phases, 2, 10, 13, 16
gender differences, 98
newborn’s, for attention, 21-22, 23, 24, 27, 31, 34
week 5 developmental leap, 39-43, 43, 48, 49, 53
week 8 developmental leap, 57, 61-62
week 12 developmental leap, 85, 88
week 19 developmental leap, 111-14, 115
week 26 developmental leap, 149, 151, 153, 154
week 37 developmental leap, 199-200, 205, 206
week 46 developmental leap, 233, 237, 242
week 55 developmental leap, 272, 274, 276, 280
week 64 developmental leap, 307-8, 313-15, 320
week 75 developmental leap, 374, 375, 439
Cuddling. See Comforting baby; Physical contact needs
D
Daydreaming, 205, 242, 276, 375
Defensiveness, parental, in week 8 developmental leap, 64
Demanding baby, 77, 80, 85, 87, 111-13, 145, 149, 151, 155, 158, 200, 202, 233, 236, 271, 275
Demolishing games, 218
Developmental leaps. See also specific weeks
age categories of, determining, 13, 15
“big change” of, 10
fussy phases of, general, 11-12
future, 444-45
new skills in, general, 15-16
overview, 5-7, 12-13
parental roles in, general, 16-18
period after, general, 18
phases of, common, 17
understanding, 2-3, 443-44
week 5, 45-46, 48
week 8, 66-67, 71
week 12, 93, 96-97
week 19, 109, 114-15, 121
week 26, 147, 164-66
week 37, 211-13
week 46, 247, 253-54
week 55, 284-85, 289
week 64, 325-30, 330
week 75, 378-82, 382
Diaper change, refusing
week 26 developmental leap, 153
week 37 developmental leap, 204
week 46 developmental leap, 239
week 75 developmental leap, 402
Diary
week 5 developmental leap, 47
week 8 developmental leap, 61, 68-70,
week 12 developmental leap, 88, 94-95
week 19 developmental leap, 115, 122-25
week 26 developmental leap, 154, 160-63
week 37 developmental leap, 205, 214-15
week 46 developmental leap, 242, 248-52
week 55 developmental leap, 280, 286-88
week 64 developmental leap, 320, 332-33
week 75 developmental leap, 375, 384-89
“Difficult” baby, 15, 62
“Difficult” toddler, 439-40
Distancing, fear of, 167-70, 172, 311
Dreaming. See Daydreaming; Nightmares
Dressing games, 222-23, 262
E
Eating. See Appetite, loss of; Fussy phases
Empathy, 379, 385, 408
Entertainment, demand for, 275, 311-12, 320, 362, 375
Examining. See Investigative behavior
Excitement, curbing to avoid injury, 143
Exhaustion. See Fatigue, parental
Expectations, raising, 183
Experimentation
week 46 developmental leap, 255-56
week 55 developmental leap, 296-97
week 64 developmental leap, 332-33, 334, 337, 343-44, 354, 359, 364-67
week 75 developmental leap, 382, 400, 426
Exploring. See Investigative behavior
F
Family, 373, 380-81, 383, 386, 390, 412-15
Fantasy play, 377, 409-10, 424
Farm, children’s, 189
Fatig
ue, parental
week 19 developmental leap, 116
week 26 developmental leap, 155
week 37 developmental leap, 208
week 46 developmental leap, 244
week 55 developmental leap, 297
Fear
of distancing, 167-70, 172
irrational, 213-14, 300, 361-62, 438-39
Moro reflex and, 32
understanding, 261
Feedback, giving, 259-60, 355
Feeding games, 263, 287-88
Feel
of fabrics, as game, 103
First hours, newborn’s, 21
First sentences, 121, 380, 389, 428, 432, 436-37
First steps, baby’s, 179, 250
First words, baby’s, 181
Frustrations, understanding, 259, 346
Fussy phases
crying in, 2
“difficult” baby and, 13
eating and, 190-1, 193
of developmental leaps
general, 11-12
week 5, 39-40
week 8, 57-61
week 12, 85-87
week 19, 112-16
week 26, 149-55
week 37, 199-204, 206-7
week 46, 233-41, 243
week 55, 272-79, 89
week 64, 307-19
week 75, 374-75
three C’s and, 10
timing of, 13
G
Games
Acting silly, 365-66, 440
Airplane, 102
Baby’s Own Cupboard, 189
balancing, 187-88, 440
Ball games, 440
Bells and Switches, 222
Blowing bubbles, 440
body movement, 186-87, 264-65
Calling, 365
Cartoons and monsters, 366
Chase, 225
Cooking, 366
Copycat, 224-25
demolishing, 218
Doing Dishes, 298, 367
Doing Housework, 262
Do This, 224, 367
Double Hiding, 299
Drawing, 440
Dressing, 222-23, 262
exploring, 222-23
Falling, 189
Feeding, 263, 440
Feeling Fabrics, 103
Flying, 188
Ghost games, 440
Giddy-Up, Giddy-Up, Little Rocking Horse, 186
Giving the Doll a Bath, 298
Grooming, 262-63
Happy Talk, 136
helping out, 262-63, 298-99
Hide-and-Seek, 184-85, 225, 265, 299, 367, 440
Hiding Toys, 185
Household, 366
independence, 298-99
Joking, 366