EXPLORATIONS AND PROJECTS 



1 To discover to what extent guppies care for their young, raise some under 

 observation. Compare the activities of the parents in relation to the young with 

 the conditions that you would furnish to ensure survival of the young. Compare 

 the parenthood of guppies with that of domestic animals with which you are 

 familiar. 



2 To study the behavior of birds in rearing and caring for their young, locate 

 a pair of birds that are building their nest (in the spring). Watch activities of the 

 birds from day to day; note when the first egg appears; note when the female 

 starts sitting on the eggs; note what the male does. Record date when first egg 

 hatches and, if possible without disturbing the family, take a picture of the young. 

 Continue daily observations until the young have left the nest. Keep definite 

 records, with pictures if possible, to show successive stages in the development of 

 the young birds. Note factors in the behavior of the parents that seem related to 

 (a) self-protection; (b) welfare of offspring; (c) other possible "values". Note 

 factors in behavior of young that seem related to (a) their dependence, or helpless- 

 ness; (b) their progressive adjustment, or independence. 



3 To survey the variety of practices among human beings in relation to 

 infancy, find out what is available regarding parent-child relationships among 

 different peoples. Note what most primitive people do with or for their young. 

 Contrast types of education, guidance, and regulation of children in a primitive 

 tribe with corresponding services of our time. Compare the kinds of parental care 

 given by various sections of our own population in guarding the health of their 

 children; in helping their children prepare for their vocations or professions. 

 Relate differences to probable causes. 



QUESTIONS 



1 In what different ways do animals care for their young? 



2 What are the advantages to a species of having the offspring become self- 

 sustaining at the earliest possible mpment.'* the disadvantages? 



3 In what respects is human infancy like that of other animals? In what 

 ways different? 



4 What are the advantages of the early parental care provided by birds and 

 mammals? the disadvantages? 



5 How is the duration of infancy in man related to the civiHzations he has 

 developed ? i 



432 



