Baby Beginnings

Early Care and Education

Baby Beginnings

From Conception through 1-Year

Infant Development Pathway

The journey from conception to a baby’s first birthday is an extraordinary time of growth, discovery, and transformation. In just 12 months, a tiny newborn develops new abilities, begins exploring the world, forms meaningful relationships, and reaches remarkable developmental milestones. For early childhood educators and caregivers, understanding this journey is essential to providing the thoughtful, responsive care that helps infants thrive.
This engaging, four-hour course offers a practical, evidence-informed foundation for understanding infant development and supporting both babies and the families who love them. Participants explore conception, embryonic and fetal development, and the genetic and environmental influences that shape growth before birth. They then discover what to expect during the birth process and newborn period, including newborn characteristics and reflexes, early bonding, and patterns of sleep, feeding, and self-regulation.

Enroll Now

4 Clock Hours — Early Childhood Education

$38.00 one-time tuition

Certificate:4 Clock Hours

Format:Online, Self-Paced

Focus:CDA Standard II

Language:English

Pathway:Infant Development

Access:1 Year from Purchase

Course curriculum

1. Module 1 The Journey Begins
  FREE PREVIEW
2. Understanding Fertilization and Conception
  FREE PREVIEW
3. From One Cell to Many
4. How Pregnancy Is Dated
5. Many Paths to Parenthood
6. Stages of Embryonic Development
7. Formation of Major Organs and Body Systems
8. Critical Periods of Prenatal Development
9. Approximate Critical Periods for Major Structures
10. Module 1 Pause and Reflect
11. Understanding Trimesters and Developmental Changes
12. The Role of Genetics and Heredity in Development
13. Screening, Testing, and Genetic Counseling
14. Gene-Environment Interactions and Individual Differences
15. Practice Scenario: The Nguyen Family
16. Module 1 Key Takeaways
17. Module 1 Quiz
1. Module 2 Fetal Growth and Developmental Milestones
2. Physical Growth During Each Trimester
3. What Growth Tells Us
4. Development of the Brain and Nervous System Before Birth
5. Sensory Development in the Womb
6. Early Movement and Reflex Development
7. Module 2 Pause & Reflect
8. Fetal Learning, Memory, and Responsiveness
9. Monitoring Healthy Fetal Development
10. Understanding Prenatal Developmental Milestones
11. Practice Scenario: Jasmine
12. Module 2 Key Takeaways
13. Module 2 Quiz
1. Module 3 Factors That Influence Prenatal Development
2. Maternal Health and Wellness During Pregnancy
3. Why CMV Matters in Early Childhood Settings
4. Vaccines and Preventive Care
5. Mental Health
6. Nutrition and Its Impact on Fetal Growth
7. Weight Gain and Food Safety
8. Food Security
9. The Effects of Stress on Development
10. Health Disparities
11. Module 3 Pause & Reflect
12. Environmental Influences and Exposures
13. Substance Use and Prenatal Risks
14. Supporting Children and Families
15. Protective Factors That Support Healthy Development
16. The Role of Family
17. Practice Scenario: Keisha and Marcus
18. Module 3 Key Takeaways
19. Module 3 Quiz
1. Module 4 Birth and the Newborn Transition
2. Understanding the Birth Process
3. Different Birth Experiences
4. The Apgar Score
5. Physical and Behavioral Characteristics of Newborns
6. Newborn States and Cues
7. Newborn Reflexes and Their Importance
8. Adjustment to Life Outside the Womb
9. Routine Newborn Care and Screening
10. The Fourth Trimester
11. Module 4 Pause & Reflect
12. Early Bonding and Attachment
13. Newborn Sleep and Regulation Patterns
14. Feeding
15. Crying and Regulation
16. Supporting Healthy Parent-Infant Relationships
17. Practice Scenario: Baby Amara and Her Father
18. Module 4 Key Takeaways
19. Module 4 Quiz
1. Module 5 Infant Development During the First Year
2. Major Developmental Milestones from Birth to Twelve Months
3. Examples of Milestones Most Babies Reach
4. Physical Growth
5. Principles of Motor Development
6. Gross Motor Development
7. Fine Motor Development
8. Supporting Motor Development
9. Cognitive Development and Early Learning
10. Important Cognitive Skills
11. Supporting Cognitive Development
12. Language and Communication Development
13. What Supports Early Language
14. Interacting with Baby
15. Multilingual Babies
16. Module 5 Pause & Reflect
17. Social-Emotional Development and Attachment
18. Temperament
19. Sensory Exploration and Learning Through Everyday Experiences
20. Individual Differences in Infant Development
21. Practice Scenario: Harper and Classmates
22. Module 5 Key Takeaways
23. Module 5 Quiz
1. Module 6 Brain Development and Early Learning Foundations
2. How Different Brain Areas Develop
3. Neural Connections
4. Building a Strong Foundation
5. Experience Shapes the Brain
6. Stress and the Developing Brain
7. The Importance of Responsive Caregiving
8. Serve and Return
9. Module 6 Pause & Reflect
10. Developing Trust and Emotional Security
11. The Role of Play in Infant Development
12. Developmentally Supportive Environments
13. Practice Scenario: Baby Noah
14. Module 6 Key Takeaways
15. Module 6 Quiz
1. Module 7 Supporting Healthy Growth and Development
2. Age-Appropriate Interactions
3. Responsive Interactions with Babies
4. Encouraging Exploration and Curiosity
5. Supporting Emerging Communication Skills
6. Module 7 Pause & Reflect
7. Promoting Healthy Routines and Relationships
8. Strengthening Caregiver-Infant Connections
9. Building Safe and Stimulating Learning Environments
10. Supporting Developmental Progress
11. Practice Scenario: Lily and Her Grandmother
12. Module 7 Key Takeaways
13. Module 7 Quiz
1. Module 8 Recognizing Developmental Concerns
2. Developmental Screening and Observation
3. The Educator's Role in Observation
4. Identifying Potential Developmental Delays
5. Recognizing Concerns
6. Module 8 Pause & Reflect
7. Risk Factors That May Affect Developmental Outcomes
8. When to Seek Additional Support or Evaluation
9. About IDEA Part C Early Intervention
10. The Importance of Early Identification and Intervention
11. Collaborating with Families and Professionals
12. Practice Scenario: Baby Ethan
13. Module 8 Key Takeaways
14. Module 8 Quiz
1. The Big Picture
2. Principles to Carry Forward
3. Your Action Plan
4. Handouts
5. Congratulations on Completing This Course!
6. Final Course Assessment NOT DONE
7. Course Feedback Form

Baby Beginnings: From Conception through 1-Year

$28.00
4 Clock Hours

Discover your potential, starting today

Enroll today

Baby Beginnings

From Conception through 1-Year

Enroll Now

4 Clock Hours — Early Childhood Education

$38.00 one-time tuition

Certificate:4 Clock Hours

Format:Online, Self-Paced

Focus:CDA Standard II

Language:English

Pathway:Infant Development

Access:1 Year from Purchase

Course curriculum

Welcome

Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Putting It All Together

Baby Beginnings: From Conception through 1-Year

Discover your potential, starting today