PED01 - The Child

and Adolescent
Learners and
Learning Principles
1ST Semester, A.Y. 2021-2022

Module 4
(Week 9)

Prepared by:

Markhill Veran Tiosan, LPT

Instructor

Name of Student: _____________________________________

Course/Section: ______________________________________
Date Accomplished: ___________________________________

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 Pre-Natal Period

Overview
All the development theories which we lengthily discussed dwelt on the
developmental process after birth. None of them was concerned with what
development went on before birth. To make the description of human development
complete, it may be good to understand the beginnings of the child and the
adolescent, the learners.

Objectives
At the end of the module, the student is expected to:

 Trace the course of the pre-natal development process that you went through.
 Explain the most common hazards to prenatal development
 Become more appreciative of the gift of life manifested in an anti-abortion
stand.

Discussion
When you were a child, you are curious about everything. You asked what
you were before or how you become what you are now. This is the concern of this
Module – pre-natal or antenatal development.
ACTIVITY
A. Watch the video on Pro-life anti-abortion video on YouTube and High Tech
Photographs of Fetal Development.
B. Read the article “Life Before Birth” below then answer the following questions:
1. What are your feelings and reactions to what you read?
2. Do you agree that which is developing in the womb is a mere “blob of tissue”
or “uterine contents” as abortionists claim? Share your explanation.
3. Why are pregnant mothers advised not to smoke, not to drink alcoholic drinks,
not to take any medication without a doctor’s advice?
4. Is it more reasonable to believe that which is developing in the mother’s womb
is a human being?
5. What are proofs that which is developing in the mother’s womb is a living
human being?

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 6. Has any realization from today’s discussion changed your stance on abortion?
Explain your answer.
7. What are the effects of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine on the developing
embryo/fetus?
Life Before Birth
The development of the unborn child
The development of human life in the womb was once a mystery, but science
and medicine have changed that. Abortion advocates still try to dehumanize the
developing baby in the womb by speaking of the child as a “blob of tissue” or “uterine
contents.” But ultrasound images, prenatal surgery and other advances in obstetrics
are shattering the blob-of-tissue myth.
Dr. Paul Rockwell, a New York physician, made these profound observations
after his amazing encounter with a tiny unborn baby boy. “Eleven years ago while I
was giving an anesthetic for a ruptured ectopic pregnancy (at two months gestation).
I was handed what I believe was the smallest living human ever seen. The embryo
sac was intact and transparent. Within the sac was a tiny human male swimming
extremely vigorously in the amniotic fluid, while attached to the wall by the umbilical
cord.”
This tiny human was perfectly developed, with long, tapering fingers, feet and
toes. It was transparent, as regards the skin, and the delicate arteries and veins
were prominent to the ends of the fingers. “The baby was extremely alive and swam
about the sac approximately one time per second, with a natural swimmer’s stroke.
This tiny human did not look at all like the photos and drawings and models of
‘embryos’ which I have seen, nor did it look like a few embryos I have been able to
observe since then, obviously because this one was alive!”
“When the sac was opened, the tiny human immediately lost its life and took
on the appearance of what is accepted as the appearance of what is accepted as the
appearance of an embryo at this stage (blunt extremities, etc.)
“It is my opinion that if the lawmakers and people realize that this very
vigorous life is present, it is possible that abortion would be found more objectionable
than euthanasia.”
The point at which Dr. Rockwell witnessed this unborn baby - eight weeks
after conception - is during the period that a majority of abortionists describe as most
desirable for performing an abortion.
The Stages of Pre-natal Development
Pre-natal development is divided into three (3) periods-germinal, embryonic and
fetal.
1. Germinal Period (First 2 weeks after conception)- This includes the a)
creation of the zygote, b) continued cell division and c) the attachment of the

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 zygote to the uterine wall. The following are the details of development during
this period:
a) 24 to 30 hours after fertilization - the male (sperm) and female (egg)
chromosome unite
b) 36 hours - the fertilized ovum, zygote, divides into two (2); 2 cells
c) 48 hours (2days) - 2 cells become 4 cells
d) 72 hours (3days) - 4 cells become a small compact ball of 16-32 cells
e) 96 hours (4days) - hollow ball of 64-128 cells
f) 4-5 days - inner cell mass (blastocyst) still free in the uterus
g) 6-7 days - blastocyst attaches to the wall of uterus
h) 11-15 days - blastocyst invades into uterine wall and becomes implanted in
it (implantation)
In the germinal period, the differentiation of cells already begins as inner and
outer layers of the organism are formed. The blastocyst, the inner layer of cells that
develops during the germinal period, develops later into the embryo. The
trophoblast, the outer layer of cells that develops also during the germinal period,
later provides nutrition and support for the embryo (Nelson, Textbook of Pediatrics,
17th ed., 2004).
2. Embryonic Period (2-8 weeks after conception) - In this stage, the name of
the mass cells, zygote, become embryo.
The following developments take place:
a) cell differentiation intensifies
b) life-support systems for the embryo develop and
c) organs appear
As the zygote gets attached to the wall of the uterus, two layers of cells are
formed. The embryo’s endoderm, the inner layer of cells, develops into the digestive
and respiratory systems. The outer layer of cells is divided into two parts - the
ectoderm and the mesoderm. The ectoderm is the outermost layer which becomes
the nervous system, sensory receptors (eyes, ears, nose) and skin parts (nails, hair).
The mesoderm is the middle layer which becomes the circulatory, skeletal, muscular,
excretory and reproductive systems. This process of organ formation during the first
two months of pre- natal development is called organogenesis.
As the three layers of the embryo form, the support systems for the embryo
develop rapidly. These life-support systems are the placenta, the umbilical cord and
the amnion. The placenta is a life-support system that consists of a disk-shaped
group of tissues in which small blood vessels from the mother and the offspring
intertwine but do not join. The umbilical cord contains two arteries and one vein that
connects the baby to the placenta. The amnion is a bag or an envelope that contains

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a clear fluid in which the developing embryo floats. All these embryo life-support
systems develop from the fertilized egg and not from the mother’s body.
3. Fetal period (2 months to 7 months after conception) - Growth and
development continue dramatically during this period. The details of the
developmental process are as follows (Santrock, 2002):
a) 3 months after conception - fetus is about 3 inches long and weighs about
1 ounce; fetus has become active, moves its arms and legs, opens and closes
its mouth, and moves its head; the face, forehead, eyelids, nose, chin can
now be distinguished and also the upper arms, lower arms, hands, and lower
limbs; the genitals can now be identified as male or female.
b) 4 months after conception - fetus is about 6 inches long and weighs 4 to 7
ounces; growth spurt occurs in the body’s lower parts; pre-natal reflexes are
stronger; mother feels arm and leg movements for the first time.
c) 5 months after conception - fetus is about 12 inches long; weighs close to a
pound; structures of the skin (fingernails, toenails) have formed; fetus is more
active.
d) 6 months after conception - fetus is about 14 inches long and weighs one
and half pound; eyes and eyelids are completely formed; fine layer of head
covers the head; grasping reflex is present and irregular movements occur.
e) 7 months after conception - fetus is about 16 inches long and weighs 3
pounds
f) 8 and 9 months after conception - fetus grows longer and gains substantial
weight, about 4 pounds
Teratology and Hazards to Prenatal Development
Teratology is the field that investigates the causes of congenital (birth)
defects. A teratogen is that which causes birth defects. It comes from the Greek
word “tera” which means “monster”.
Below are clusters of hazards to pre-natal development:
1. Prescription and nonprescription drugs - These include prescription as well as
non-prescription drugs. Antibiotic is an example of a prescription drug that can
be harmful. Examples of harmful nonprescription drugs are diet pills, aspirin,
and coffee.
Remember the thalidomide tragedy in 1961? Many pregnant women took in
thalidomide, a tranquilizer, to alleviate their morning sickness that gave rise to
several deformed babies.
Cocaine exposure during pre-natal development is associated with reduced
birthweight, length and head circumference (Hurt, et al, 1999 cited by
Santrock, 2002), impaired motor development (Arendt, et al, 1999 cited by
Santrock, 2002), impaired - information processing (Singer, et al, 1999 cited

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 by Santrock, 2002) and poor attention skills (Bandstra, 2000 cited by
Santrock, 2002).
2. Psychoactive drugs - These include nicotine, caffeine and illegal drugs such
as marijuana, cocaine and heroin.
Researchers found that pregnant women who drank more caffeinated coffee
were more likely to have pattern deliveries and newborns with lower
birthweight compared to their counterparts who did not drink caffeinated
coffee (Eskanazi, et al, 1999 quoted by Santrock, 2002).
Heavy drinking by pregnant women results to the so-called fetal alcohol
syndrome (FAS) which is a cluster of abnormalities that appears in the
children of mothers who drink alcohol heavily during pregnancy. These
abnormalities include facial deformities and defective limbs, face and heart
(Santrock, 2002). Most of these children are below average in intelligence and
some are mentally retarded (Olson, 2000 and Burgess, 1996 quoted by
Santrock, 2002).
Fetal and neonatal deaths are higher among smoking mothers. There are also
higher incidences of preterm births and lower birth weights among children
with smoking mothers (Wang, et al, 2000 quoted by Santrock, 2002).
On the average, maternal heroin addicts deliver smaller than average size
babies with more incidence of toxemia, premature separation of placenta,
retained placenta, hemorrhaging after birth, and breech deliveries.
(http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1980/5/80.05.03.x.html#f)
3. Environmental hazards - These include radiation in job sites and X-rays,
environmental pollutants, toxic wastes, and prolonged exposure to heat in
saunas and bath tubs. Research found that chromosomal abnormalities are
higher among offspring of fathers exposed to high levels of radiation in their
occupations (Schrag and Dixon, 1985 cited by Santrock, 2002). Radiation
from X-rays also can affect the developing embryo and fetus, with the most
dangerous time being the first several weeks after conception when women
do not yet know that they are pregnant (Santrock, 2002). Researchers fount
that toxic wastes such as carbon monoxide, mercury and lead caused defects
in animals exposed to high doses. For instance, early exposure to lead affects
children’s mental development. (Markowits, 2000 cited by Santrock, 2002).
Remember the action of the U.S.A for the children’s toys with high lead
content manufactured in China?
Prolonged exposure of pregnant mothers to sauna or hot tubs raises the
mothers’ body temperature creating fever that endangers the fetus. The high
temperature due to fever may interfere with cell division and may cause birth
defects or periods of time (Santrock, 2002).
4. Other maternal factors such as Rubella (German Measles), syphilis, genital
herpes, AIDS, nutrition, high anxiety and stress, age, (too early or too late,
beyond 30)

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 A rubella (German measles) in 1964-65 resulted in 30,000 pre-natal and
neonatal (newborn) deaths and more than 20,000 affected infants who were
born with malformations, including mental retardation, blindness, deafness
and heart problems (Santrock, 2002).
Syphilis damages organs after they have formed. These damages include eye
lesions, which can cause blindness, and skin lesions. When syphilis is present
at birth, other problems involving the central nervous system and
gastrointestinal tract, can develop.
About one-third of babies delivered through a herpes-infected birth canal die;
another one-fourth become brain-damaged.
A mother can infect her child in three ways; 1) during gestation across the
placenta,
2) during delivery through contact with maternal blood or fluids, and 3)
postpartum (after birth) through breastfeeding.
Studies show that increased stress during pregnancy leads to premature birth
and reduced birth weight. Other studies have shown that increased stress
during pregnancy is related to ADHD even schizophrenia later in life.
(familyanatomy.com/2009/04/20/the- effects-of-stress-during-pregnancy)
Admittedly, more research on the effects of emotional states and stress needs
to be conducted for more conclusive findings.
It is recognized that maternal malnutrition during pregnancy may result to
inadequate growth in the fetus. …. If a fetus does not receive enough nourishment,
the rate of cell division is seriously hampered. An extremely deprived fetus may have
20% fewer brain cells than normal. If an infant has been malnourished both in utero
and infancy, the brain may be as much as 60% smaller than that of the normal child.
(Vore, David. Prenatal Nutrition and Postnatal Intellectual Development, Merill-
palmer Quartely, 1973, 19:253-260 cited in http://www.yale.
edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1980/5 /80.05.03.x. html#f)
Folic acid is necessary for pregnant mothers. Folic acid can reduce the risk of
having a baby with a serious birth defect of the brain and spinal cord, called the
‘neural tube’. A baby with spina bifida, the most common neural tube defect is born
with a spine that is not closed. The exposed nerves are damaged, leaving the child
with varying degrees of paralysis and sometimes mental retardation.
(http://www.squido.com/folicaci dpregnant)
As maternal age increases, the risks for numerical chromosomal
abnormalities increase.
(http://en.wikipedia.org.wikipedia.org.wiki/maternal_age_effect)
The mortality rate of infants born to adolescent mothers is double that of
infants born to mothers in their twenties.

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 A baby with Down syndrome rarely is born to mother under age 30 but the risk
increases after the mother reaches 30. by age 40, the probability is slightly over 1 in
100, and by age 50 it is almost 1 in 10. The risk is also higher before age 18.
(Santrock, 2002)
5) Paternal factors - Father’s exposure to lead, radiation, certain pesticides and
petrochemicals may cause abnormalities in sperm that lead to miscarriage or
diseases such as childhood cancer.
As in the case of older mothers, older fathers also may place their offspring at risk for
certain defects. (Santrock, 2002)
Human Life Begins at Conception
That which is in the mother’s womb is indeed a developing human being. An
unborn baby of eight (8) weeks is not essentially different from one of eighteen (18)
weeks or twenty-eight (28) weeks. From conception the zygote, the embryo and the
fetus are undeniably human life.
Human life begins from the moment of conception. All that we have and all
that we are have been there at the moment of conception! The fact that you have
brown eyes and black, straight or curly hair and the fact that you will turn bald at age
50 have been there already at the moment of conception. What were added in the
process of development is nutrition.
I remember the film on abortion that I once saw, “The Silent Scream.” The
mother submitted herself to a medical doctor for abortion in her third month of
pregnancy. When the abortionist inserted his scalpel into the woman’s womb to
crush the head of the fetus, very clearly in that film, the fetus had his/her mouth open
like he was screaming for help as he evaded the deadly scalpel of the abortionist.
That’s why the film was given the title “The Silent Scream.” This only means that the
developing being in the womb is a human being not just a conglomeration of cells or
tissues.
Based on these facts, it is wrong to do abortion. The womb is supposed to be
safest of all places for human development. Unfortunately, however, with the
scourge of abortion, it has become a tomb! The development that takes place in 3
stages proves that the developing embryo in a mother’s womb is truly a human
being.

Assessment
APPLICATION (15pts)
Pretend you are “Junior,” 4 months old in the womb. Your Mother is concentrating on
doing abortion. Write her a letter convincing her that you are a human being
developing contrary to what she and other pro-abortionists are thinking. Describe to

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her the development that has already taken place in 4 months. Reflect what you
learned on pre- natal development in this Module. Give your letter this title “A Letter
from Junior” (or you may want to write your name).
TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING (15pts each)
1. Here are 3 boxes for you to write the stage of pre-natal development.

2. Give some hazards of pre-natal development. Use the given graphic

organizer.

Prenatal
Development

- Zygote,
Embryo,

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RESEARCH CONNECTION (15pts)
Read a research that is related to one of the big ideas on prenatal development.
Fill out the matrix below.

Problem Research Methodology

Source: (bibliographical entry

format)

Findings Conclusions

 How are the findings of this research useful to teachers?

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

Rubric
CRITERIA

CREATIVITY Ideas were Ideas were Ideas were dull

written written fairly and incoherent
creatively (5pts) creative (3) (1)

CLARITY OF Ideas were Ideas were Ideas were not

CONTENT expressed expressed in a under (1)
clearly (5pts) clear manner
(3)

ORGANIZATION Ideas were Ideas were Ideas include

organized and expressed but unrelated
easy to could have sentences. (1)
understand (5 been organized
pts) better (3)

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 References
Rathus, S.A (2012). Psychology 2nd Edition . Pasig City: Cengage Learning Asia Pte
Ltd.
Sigelman, C.K & Rider, E.A. (2012). Life-Span Human Development, Seventh
Edition.
Wadsworth, Cengage Learning
Shaffer, D.R , & Kipp, K. (2014). Developmental Psychology: Childhood and
Adolescence, 9th Edition, Wadsworth, Cengage Learning
Corpuz, B.B et al. (2018). The Child and Adolescent Learners and Learning
Principles. 776 Aurora Blvd.,cor Boston Street, Cubao, Quezon City, Metro
Manila.Lorimar Publishing Inc.

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