The nine months that babies develop in the womb are no longer a big mystery. We now know that babies have the ability to start working out what is going on, on the outside, long before their arrival day. From as early as 28 weeks old, the fully-formed baby, can hear his parents’ voice and may even react when his favorite foods are eaten. He can urine, have hiccups, suck his thumb and open his eyes.

It is hoped that the more adults and parents learn, the more respect and understanding they will show towards children in their care. How much do you already know about babies? Try our True or False quiz. Can you get 14 out of 14 when it comes babies?

1) New born babies cry to communicate when they need something or when something is wrong. But they do not start producing tears until they are around 1-year-old. True or False

2) Babies usually triple their birth weight by the time they are 2 years old. True or False

3) At around 28 weeks old, babies start to practice breathing in the womb. True or False.

4) A child’s memory about events and outings is not fully operational until he is around 18 months old. True of False

5) Children can understand what people are saying long before they are able to talk. True or False

6) The (amniotic) fluid that babies float in before birth actually enhances their sense of smell. Therefore, they can smell food through their mother’s stomach. True or False

7) Babies know and recognize their names as soon as they are born. True or False

8) Babies taste buds for salty foods do not develop until they are at least 2 months old. True or False

9) When babies are born their vision is about 20/2400: But they can see clearer further away. True or False

10) A 2-year-old child has over a hundred trillion brain connections. This is double the amount that adults have. True or False

11) Children’s brains develop more during the first five years, than at any other time in their lives. True or False
12) Most children under the age of one are right-handed. True or False

13) By the age of 1, babies can understand approximately 70 words. True or False

14) Babies are born with more bones in their bodies than adults. True or False

ANSWERS
1) (false) The tear ducts of a baby are not fully opened at birth. Babies can begin to cry tears at around 3 weeks old. But some take as long as 4-5 months old before producing tears.

2) (false) On average babies triple their birth weight within the first year of birth.

3) (true) Although they do not take in oxygen babies practice breathing towards the end of a pregnancy in preparation for birth.

4) (false) A child’s memory of events is not fully operational until around 3 years old. Before this age, outings, parties and expensive holidays overseas are not stored in the memory.

5) (true) Babies can understand what is being said long before they can talk.

6) (true) The amniotic fluid actually enhances the baby’s sense of smell; therefore, babies can smell through their Mother’s stomach.

7) (false) Babies know, recognize and respond to their names around 5-8 months old.

8) (false) Babies are not meant to be eating anything salty; but their salt taste buds do not develop until they are 4 months old.

9) (true) Babies cannot see clearly at birth, but they have good peripheral vision and see better at a distance.

10) (true) Children do have over 100 trillion synapses, otherwise known as brain connections, by the age of two. Therefore, teaching them well, while they are young will definitely pay off.

11) (true) The first five years of a child’s life is crucial for building a solid foundation for a successful future.

12) (false) Children under the age of one are ambidextrous, which means they use both hands equally. They usually choose either the right or left hand between 2-3 years old. 90% of toddlers are right-handed.

13) (true) Babies learn incredibly fast. They may not be able to repeat the words they hear, but they understand what they mean.
14) (true) Babies have more bones than adults because babies are born with bones that will fuse together over a period of time. These bones are mostly in the skull and spine.
How did you score? 14 out of 14 – Very Good Indeed. Between 13 and 10 – reasonably well. Between 10 and 6 -some homework is needed. Less than 6-we hope you’ve learnt some interesting fact today about babies.
People usually take babies for granted: they underestimate their perceptive and sensory abilities but most of all they tend to overlook the essential role they can play in giving babies the best start in life.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY,
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION