Parenting & Child Development

Includes a discussion of physical and emotional changes adolescents go through and how they cope with family and peers, as well as the major life decisions they must make as they face the uncertain future ahead of them. A Meridian Production. (12 min.)

Becoming a parent is one of the most serious and important decisions a person ever makes-the only decision in life that is absolutely irreversible. This video focuses on the issues which surround the decision to become a parent, including valid and invalid reasons as well as the responsibilities of parenthood. A Meridian Production. (12 min.)

Because every child and every family is different, choosing the right birthing or childrearing method is a case-by-case matter. This seven-part series offers a wealth of case studies exploring pregnancy, labor, and the many hurdles that form an initiation into parenting. Each episode focuses on a specific issue and shows how the household or households in question face their unique challenges. Coping strategies from nurse and midwife Grainne Ryan take into account medical conditions, sibling dynamics, job circumstances, single-parent situations, and other factors. 7-part series, 24-25 minutes each.

This unique parenting program gives viewers a close look at four diverse families who have successfully adjusted to parenthood. We hear from all types of parents: traditional moms and dads, single parents, adoptive parents, and parents faced with unexpected complications. They each share their own personal experience with adjustment, including lack of sleep, added expenses, emotional upheaval, frustration, and doing it alone. Experts in the field of parenting complement these stories with tips on juggling all these new responsibilities effectively. The experts also share insights about unusual circumstances like health problems and postpartum depression. By watching this program, viewers learn that becoming a parent takes time, dedication, and lots of love. And it doesn't happen overnight...it happens in Baby Steps. A Meridian Production. (27 minutes)

This video provides a roadmap for parents and caregivers to help them understand a baby's first 12 months of life. Included in this presentation is the identification of key developmental issues, with specific regard to the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual growth an infant undergoes during his or her first year. Interviews with experts in the field of child development help to further educate the viewer on how to successfully navigate through this critical time in a child's life. A Meridian Production. (21 minutes)

This program presents an overview of basic parenting skills in a dramatic format. The story involves several young people experiencing the frustrations of parenting. Discipline is presented as a system for reinforcing positive behavior. Practical techniques for dealing with tantrums and other undesirable behavior are included. The importance of a relationship of love and respect between parent and child is discussed as the basis for effective discipline, communication, and the creation of self-esteem. Specific ideas for building a healthy parent-child relationship are examined. A Cambridge Educational Production. (53 minutes)

This program will take you step-by-step through the proper way to bathe your baby in a safe, comfortable, and convenient manner. (12 minutes)

This program will take you step-by-step through the proper way to bathe your baby in a safe, comfortable, and convenient manner. (14 minutes)

Virtually everyone can benefit from a better understanding and knowledge of child development. Current or future caregivers should know why children think, act, and feel as they do, as well as how to interact most effectively with them. Parents and parents-to-be will undoubtedly find information and skills related to child development useful. Even those who never have had the responsibility of caring for children can gain a better understanding of themselves from studying their growth. This five-part series will walk the viewer through the early stages of life's journey, beginning with prenatal development and concluding with early adolescence. A Meridian Production. 5-part series, 20-22 minutes each.

Only the most naive parent expects constant domestic bliss, but when kids get out of control, frustration, anger-and, most of all, pleas for help-are completely natural. This program deals with behavior and development obstacles faced by two different families of young children. Three-year-old Leon has speech problems which often force his widowed mother and older brother Josh to translate for him. Leon's many tantrums are a related concern. The mother of three-year-old twins Ben and Kyle and their brother Josh, 11, is also frequently swamped by behavior challenges while her husband is away on business. Public health nurse Grainne Ryan helps both families build coping skills and support mechanisms. (25 minutes)

Many women now give birth at home. Modern hospitals increasingly employ doulas and midwives. This video examines trends in birthing, including late-in-life motherhood and the treatment of postpartum depression. (22 minutes

Explores the most common types of birth defects, covering the major classifications: malformations present at birth, inborn errors of metabolism, blood disorders, and prenatal damage. The video also includes information on the prevention of birth defects, with an emphasis placed on the importance of good prenatal care. A Meridian Production. (10 minutes)

Five developmental stages of an infant's first year. A Meridian Production. (14 min.)

From packing for the hospital to readying for emergencies, the entry into parenthood-whether for first-timers or veterans-requires careful preparation. This program features a family focused on the impending arrival of its newest member and all the concerns that typically accompany a baby's birth. Expecting their fourth child, Blainagh and Gerard live a good 90 minutes from the nearest hospital, and their biggest concern is that they'll deliver on the roadside. Veteran midwife and nurse Grainne Ryan offers tips on emergency situations, discusses epidurals and the three stages of labor, shows how to use a birthing ball, and helps the expectant parents create a state-of-the-art birthing plan. (24 minutes)

Keeping up with the latest advances in the field of child development is one of the many challenges young parents face. Created by renowned pediatrician and author Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, this 26-part series compiles parenting wisdom from a variety of experienced sources. Case studies and parent-generated questions covering a wide range of subject areas are explored, accompanied by extensive and authoritative commentary from a long list of distinguished pediatricians, educators, and child psychologists. The result is more than a scholarly compendium-it's a practical guide to parenting success. 26-part series, 22 minutes each.