Overview
One of the most universal things human beings do is sleep. And yet the way we approach infant and toddler sleep varies dramatically across cultures, generations, and families. Some babies sleep alone in cribs in their own rooms from day one. Others share a bed with their parents for years. Some families let their babies cry until they self-soothe; others respond immediately to every sound. Who is right?
In this assignment, you'll explore how different cultures around the world approach sleep during the first three years of life, reflect on your own upbringing and where you personally land on the debate, and create a resource that communicates your position to new parents.
This assignment draws on Chapter 4 (Birth and Physical Development) for its core content on sleep customs and development, and Chapter 6 (Psychosocial Development) to help you think about how sleep arrangements connect to attachment and early trust.