This opening program explores how children develop and turn out the way they do. Starting with the concept of development, it introduces theories of development and presents methods by which we study children.
Every child is born at a particular time and place - into a particular environment.
Starting with the children' s biological makeup, this program seeks to show, through a variety of examples, how the interplay of the social, economic, and cultural contexts influence the development process. Experts, along with graphic footage, show how teratogens, harmful environmental substances, such as drugs and alcohol, endanger the forming fetus. This program focuses on the birth and the experiences of the parents as they prepare and features experts exploring birth techniques, environmental context, premature birth, and parents preparation. Footage includes vaginal and caesarian births, Lamaze class and research or prospective parents' expectations. In this program we discover the awesome tools the newborn brings to the challenge of survival.