In this course, you’ll learn what happens before a baby is born and how infants grow and change during their first years of life. We’ll start by looking at how genetics and other factors shape development from conception to birth. You’ll discover the main stages of prenatal development, and learn about the effects of things like alcohol, tobacco, and drugs (called teratogens) on a baby’s health—both right after birth and later in life. We’ll also talk about how a mother’s health and choices can affect her baby, and explore different approaches to childbirth and what happens during labor and delivery. Next, we’ll focus on infancy. You’ll learn about how babies grow physically, how their senses develop, and how they start to think and learn about the world. We’ll cover important milestones in language development, and look at how babies form emotional bonds, develop a sense of self, and show different temperaments. We’ll also discuss the impact of nonparental care (like daycare) on child development. By the end of this course, you’ll have a clear understanding of what shapes a child’s earliest development - from before birth through the first two years of life.