Geeky Things You May Not Know About Babies and Children

For today's blog post, I am going to write about some of the parts of my coursework I've found interesting so far. This is partly so that I can ensure I've actually learned the topic, since there's an exam at the end of the module.

• You know the game where you hide a coin in one of your hands, and have a child guess which hand it's in? You can play that with a child... but until the age of around 5 a child cannot play it with you. Until this point in their development, they think everyone knows the same things, so they don't understand that you don't just know where the coin is.
• If you show a five-year-old two identical balls of plasticine, you can agree they have the same amount of plasticine in both... but if you roll one out into a sausage shape, your five-year-old will most likely think the sausage has more plasticine than the ball. By the time they reach six or seven, children are able to see that there is the same amount of plasticine in each ball, even if one is moulded into a different shape.
• Similarly, if you show your five-year-old two beakers containing the same amounts of water, and agree they contain the same amount of water... if the contents of one is poured into a wider beaker the five-year-old will tell you one of the beakers now contains more water than the other.
• BUT if you have your two matching beakers, and say "oh dear, this one has a chip in it, we'd better swap it for that one" before you pour the water into a different-shaped container, your five-year-old can usually follow this and will agree both beakers still contain the same amount of water. The first one was an abstract concept and a bit pointless, but the second one contextualises the change of beaker; there's a reason for it so the child understands it better.
• Babies are born with arguably better hearing than adults. They are able to distinguish between sounds that adults hear as the same. You know how Japanese speakers sound funny speaking English, saying "velly" rather than "very?" It's because in Japanese they don't have a distinction between those sounds. Japanese babies are born perfectly capable of hearing the difference between the two sounds, but as they grow up and learn their native language, they lose the ability to hear differences they don't need to hear on a regular basis. This is why you can hear a friend speaking Spanish on holiday, and they sound fluent to you - you can hear no difference between what they're saying and the Spanish person they're speaking to replies - but the Spanish person can hear a bad English accent in the Spanish that sounds so... Spanish to you!
• Although their ears are in full working order when they are born, babies eyes are far from 100% at this stage. Or rather, their eyes themselves are fully developed but the part that picks up the image and then relays it to the brain is not so fantastic. Because of this babies can't see a lot - and we don't know how much, because a 2-day-old infant isn't fantastic at saying "yeah I can see it but it's a bit blurry..." We do know that they can't see fine details, and that they prefer to look at human faces. They are also able to distinguish between their parents' faces and those of strangers, from very early on.
• Babies also prefer to look at simple, symmetrical patterns with curved lines. Remember in this post where I said I'd made some simple pictures on postcards and stuck them on the wall for S? Turns out science agrees with me. That doesn't happen very often.

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Our Week: 21st-26th January

Monday 21st January

As mentioned in this post, I've had a fairly rubbish week, brain wise. On Monday we did very little. I think taking the bin out was the highlight of my day. The council did come round and rip down some plasterboard from my bedroom ceiling though.

Tuesday 22nd January

Another day of feeling miserable and wallowing... until I started griping on Facebook that I'd run out of milk, and then a very dear friend came round with milk and smiles and we had a good old chat and I felt a lot better. She helped me to put a few things in perspective, and to make a few decisions.

Wednesday 23rd January

D had called on Tuesday afternoon to say she couldn't make our usual Wednesday morning, so we were on our own. Remember my friend C? He proved himself even more legendary when he spent the morning texting me, telling me I really should just go out of the house. This, coupled with similar texts from my friend B, meant that we did finally go out. We had a quick walk to town, bought some essentials and came home. Afternoon spent not doing much.

Thursday 24th January

Another day spent sitting in the house. We were meant to go to see our photographer friend to have our photo taken, but since S was up all night, finally settling around 6am, and slept until 8, we cancelled. S had 2 long naps; I tried to do OU work. A came round after college to drop a couple of things off, because she is a legend. S didn't settle to sleep again, so had her downstairs in her bouncy chair for the evening.

Friday 25th January

Went to see the GP in the morning for a bit of reassurance that S just has a cold and not some terrible snot-producing disease. Came home, played a bit, had a visit in the afternoon from a friend and her two children, which was nice for all of us.

Saturday 26th January

Walked to out of town Tesco with A in the morning, then came home and had a quick wander round town. Afternoon spent with D, who was unable to visit on Wednesday. Brief and supremely irritating visit in the evening from a drunk and frankly stupid HYM. Not impressed. Evening spent struggling with OU work. 

Our Week, 7-12 January

Monday 7 January

Up early to drag ourselves to the hospital for physio. Considered rearranging the appointment, since I felt rough, but decided to just suck it up and go. Got there and found my physio was off sick any way. Walked back to town, bought some vegetables, bumped into several friends, including my niece who is awfully grown up and mature these days. Had an impromptu coffee with a friend, which was nice. Afternoon spent attempting OU coursework, and feeling sick. Evening spent doing much the same.

Tuesday 8 January

Didn't leave the house all day; not fantastic for my already low mood. Health Visitor came in the morning for a brief chat, and afternoon was spent begging S to please take her nap or at least stop crying and clinging to me. Neither was achieved. Bed time was not amusing, and neither was the night.

Wednesday 9 January
D visited in the morning, played with S while I made a call and did my washing up for me. The woman is a legend. Quick lunch followed by a power walk to the other side of town for a "Mum & Me" fitness class which was actually quite relaxing since it focused on stretching out all the muscles that usually ache. Extended walk home to accommodate nap time. Afternoon spent playing. Split up with HYM. Nothing more shall be said on the topic.

Thursday 10 January

Didn't do much of anything. A bad night's sleep, but at least I was woken at 6am by a happy baby chattering to her hands. Popped to the shops, bought some food, came home. Entire day spent playing with toys and trying to avoid whining and crying. Didn't always manage that. Awesome sister A came to visit briefly though, which was nice.

Friday 11 January
S slept awesomely; I woke at 3am and couldn't get back to sleep. Cancelled BuggyFun because I felt like death. Visit from my brother L and his wife L which was nice but embarrassing because the house is a tip at the moment. Went to doctor about suspected eczema on S's leg, came home. Exciting day, I think you'll agree.

Saturday 12 January
Feeling less than fantastic. Morning spent doing housework... ok, well I did some washing up. Sister A came round and played with S for half an hour while I went to town for supplies. Entire trip spent feeling like I'd left the buggy in a shop. Afternoon spent playing. Evening spent watching truly awful Saturday night TV. Seriously, whatever happened to Saturday night telly?

Our Week, 31 Dec - 5 January

Monday 31 December
Last day of the year. Celebrated by doing housework. A visit from a dear friend and her three children, and a brief, damp visit to town, and then more housework. Rock and roll.

Tuesday 01 January
Finally, a break in the weather! Celebrated by bundling S into the pushchair and going for a wander around town. Good to get some fresh air and do some thinking. Afternoon spent catching up with an old friend, who enjoyed playing musical instruments with S while we chatted. Brief visit from mother and a family friend, then bed time. Happy New Year.

Wednesday 02 January
Up early to go to a poorly-timed doctor appointment. HYM was supposed to come with me to entertain S while I saw the doctor, but he didn't manage it. Instead, I tried to bounce her on my lap and keep her away from the blood pressure monitor and various other things on the doctor's desk while we discussed various things. Home by 10:30, visit from D, afternoon spent preparing food and playing with noisy toys. There is a lot to be said for noisy toys when you have things in your head you need to be distracted from.

Thursday 03 January
OU tutorial in the morning, where it was confirmed I really need to get my arse in gear and, you know, actually study if I want to complete the module that finishes in two weeks. Then a quick trip to town to pick up bits and bobs, home for some lunch and a visit from a wonderful friend who always brightens our day.

Friday 04 January
Up early for a visit from a truly awesome friend that we really don't see often enough. Especially since he turned up with Costa and croissants, and had driven all the way from Oxford just to say hi for an hour. Friends like this make me wonder why I've ever bothered with all the losers I've put up with in my life! Afternoon visit from two sisters and some nieces, evening spent with youngest sis A and a Chinese.

Saturday 05 January
S up in the night poorly, but slept in late. This is good in that I got some sleep, but bad in that it put her whole schedule out. We do like our schedule. Morning spent cleaning and tidying. Afternoon spent with more of the same; evening spent with HYM.

Our Week 17-22 Dec

Monday 17 Dec
Up and ready relatively early for our toddler group Christmas party; put S in the sling as there are usually so many pushchairs there it's a nightmare to get in and out... plan backfired when she was monumentally sick all over both of us on the way there. Skipped the party, did a quick dash to a couple of shops and took my poorly baby home. Poorly baby then proceeded to spend the afternoon shouting at her toys and watching Tweenies without a care in the world. Visit from sister (A) in the afternoon who entertained S while I made S a Christmas stocking, which I shall be proud of for the rest of my life!

Tuesday 18 Dec
Up early due to a distinct inability to sleep; get it every Christmas. Baked 2 trays of brownies before 10am, then a visit from the health visitor, lunch, brief shopping trip with A, half an hour at toddler group and an ill-timed blood donation appointment. Impressed with myself I didn't pass out this time. Score. Got a sticker too, which is a bonus.

Wednesday 19 Dec
Horribly unsettled night and non-existent morning nap made for a stressed mummy today! Visit from D in the morning, followed by visit from Z and A, copious amounts of vomit on a library book, and an evening spent doing anything but settling. Meanwhile I struggled to finish an OU assignment, and wondered how the hell I'm going to get through the rest of the course if my child never sleeps again.

Thursday 20 Dec
Woke up feeling a lot like death but had lots to do. Braved near-torrential rain to go shopping for last minute Christmas presents and party food; S loved being in the pushchair under the rain cover. Afternoon spent wrapping presents and making vague attempts at tidying the house. A came round to help and even went back to town to pick up the things I'd forgotten.

Friday 21 Dec
Seeing that I would be waiting in all day for a delivery, I decided to invite people round for Christmas shenanigans. It was a last minute affair, and I didn't really prepare at all, but a few people came round and we had a good giggle. Two friends brought little girls a couple of months older than S, and she learned a few new tricks from them which was fun. She is now happily walking across the room with hands held... we appear to have skipped crawling altogether.

Saturday 22 Dec
Mad dash around town in the morning before it got busy, followed by an afternoon cleaning, tidying and wrapping presents. Evening with the HYM, who gets better every time I see him. Happy days.

Our Week: 10-15 Dec

Monday 10 Dec
Mini Movers in the morning, followed by a messy lunch and an afternoon spent tidying the house. Mostly failed at the tidying, but S had a fun day. Visit from HYM in the evening, which was lovely. I never get tired of discovering new ways in which is he is completely different to the ex. Beautiful.

Tuesday 11 Dec
Up late after a restless night. Morning spent attempting more tidying, but achieving little, since S didn't fancy naps at all. Afternoon spent at toddler group, where we did bright pink hand prints on paper, ready to make them into calendars next week. That toddler group is awesome. S spent the whole evening asleep upstairs (only woke up once) and slept really well overnight. Wondering if we've turned a corner... That would be sod's law, since I spoke to a researcher for a TV show about baby sleep issues, who wants to feature us.

Wednesday 12 Dec
OU tutorial in the morning reminded me that I really need to find time for my study. Visit from D, who brought us iced buns and big smiles, and entertained S for 20 minutes while I was on hold to several different government departments trying to get some answers regarding my return to work. After D had left my sister Z and her boyfriend L came round, and we went for a little wander into town before going to see my brother L and his family. A fun afternoon spent lounging around a very Christmassy living room, gossiping and playing with the children. S had a fantastic time.

Thursday 13 Dec
Wide awake at ridiculous o clock so got up and had an early breakfast. Morning spent doing important things from the To Do list, which I subsequently lost before completing. Then a lovely visit from a dear friend I'd not seen for about 10 years, and good old chin-wag. Being up so early scuppered S's meal/nap routine, so afternoon was spent with a grumpy, tired baby who really didn't want another nap. Winner.Visit from HYM in the evening slightly embarrassing, since he'd found this blog and read the post I wrote about him.

Friday 14 Dec
Up early again - not sure if it's S's poor sleeping or my excitement/panic for Christmas. Went to a last-minute hospital appointment for S where they kept us waiting for over an hour before poking and prodding and putting the fear of God into me, then smiling cheerfully and telling me everything is fine. Afternoon spent trying to pry my fingernails out of my palms.

Saturday 15 Dec
Brief wander around town with S in the sling to try and get some stuff done. Failed miserably due to the fact S is rather heavy in the sling these days. Afternoon spent at a Christmas party in a church, which was chaotic and carnage and quite fun.

Our Week: 2 - 8 December

Sunday 2 Dec
Morning spent baking brownies, with a visit from mother. Hot date in the afternoon. evening spent... watching TV. Oh yeah, I know how to party. S barely slept through the evening, but did sleep for 5 solid hours in the night so can't complain.

Monday 3 Dec
Off to the Childrens' Centre in the morning for "8 Month Contact." Afternoon spent playing with S whilst moving furniture and bringing living room junk back downstairs now the floor is down. S had 3 long naps, which was odd but she's been sleeping badly lately.

Tuesday 4 Dec
Accidentally stayed in all day. Housework in the morning, and a visit from the nursery nurse about S and her eating/sleeping/development. World's messiest lunch: the kind where both mine and S's outfits needed to be changed afterwards. We were going to baby group at a local church in the afternoon, and looking forward to it since there was a Christmas tree festival to visit. But S decided to have a long afternoon nap, and we missed it. Had intended to go to the shops afterwards, but S did not wake in the world's best mood, and we'd already been through 2 pairs of socks today so abandoned all plans.

Wednesday 5 Dec
Up and out for a long walk in the morning, then an afternoon visit from a very dear friend I'd not seen forever and a day, and her gorgeous son. Evening and overnight spent trying not to hear the neighbours partying, and panicking about my maternity leave ending.

Thursday 6 Dec
Morning spent having a go at housework and waiting for a Tesco order. Afternoon spent at the local panto, Sleeping Beauty. We went with D, who got us tickets through Home Start which was awesome. S slept through the first part, but loved the lights and colours in the second half. Got home late (5pm) and neighbours had already begun their evening festivities so S slept in the living room in her bouncy chair. Again. No idea what we will do when she outgrows the thing, and the neighbours are still inconsiderate drunken idiots.

Friday 7 Dec
Off out to Buggyfun in the freezing cold; really didn't fancy it, but as usual once we got there it was great. then back home to feed S lunch and get my hair cut by a friend. Sneaky nap on the sofa followed by random housework tasks and a vague attempt at OU work. Must try harder with the OU stuff.

Saturday 8 Dec
Another morning pretending to do housework. I did vacuum though so that was good. Made brownies and tarted myself up for my hot date with the Handsome Young Man.Went out for hot date; bumped into my mother on the way home, whilst I was still with HYM. Awkward.