The Wonder Weeks is the English translation of the Dutch book Oei, ik groei! (literal translation: Ai, I'm growing!) by former professor Frans X Plooij, originally published in 1992. It has been republished several times, with an updated version published in 2017. It describes the theory that the cognitive development of babies occurs in predictable jumps. However, a follow-up study by Plooij's PhD student, Carolina de Weerth, failed to find any evidence of predictable leaps. Despite this, the book continues to be popular, and the publisher has produced a mobile app based on the book.
Video The Wonder Weeks
Claims
According to the book, a baby should go through 10 predictable jumps or "leaps" in its cognitive development during the two years, with 8 in just the first year, counted from the due date if the child was premature. These jumps consist of two phases; A phase where the baby is generally unhappy, followed by a period where the baby is generally happy, due to discovering new things with the newly gained cognitive skills. The "leaps" are predicted to occur at 5, 8, 12, 19, 26, 37, 46, 55, 64 and 75 weeks old.
Maps The Wonder Weeks
Controversy
A follow-up study by Plooij's PhD student, Carolina de Weerth, examined the claims of the book. She tested both behaviour and cortisol levels and failed to find any evidence of greater fussiness or higher cortisol levels corresponding to the leaps. Frans X Plooij tried to prevent the British Journal of Developmental Psychology from publishing the study. Begeleider Van Geert, a coworker, described his behaviour as "very indecent." He also described the claims made by the book as contradicting the greater body of research on child development. The controversy over these results that ensued led to Plooj's firing and departure from academia.
References
Source of article : Wikipedia
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