Title Page -- Copyright -- Contents -- Preface -- Introduction -- Definition of a "Great Myth" -- What you need to know: Evidence-based practice and resources -- Our research -- A final word before you continue -- References -- Chapter 1 Beginnings -- Myth #1 Identical twins have a telepathic connection that originates in the womb -- What you need to know -- References -- Myth #2 Couples dealing with infertility are more likely to get pregnant if they adopt -- What you need to know -- References -- Myth #3 Parents can predict the sex of a fetus by examining the shape of the mother's body -- What you need to know -- References -- Myth #4 All boys have one Y chromosome (and all girls don't) -- What you need to know -- References -- Myth #5 The attachment parenting approach strengthens the mother-infant bond -- Importance of immediately bonding within the first two hours after birth -- Value of extended breastfeeding for up to seven years -- Encouragement of nightly bed-sharing between babies and parents -- Attachment parenting in general -- What you need to know -- References -- Speed busting for beginnings -- Myth #6 Identical twins have identical genes -- Myth #7 A woman who is already pregnant can't get pregnant again -- Myth #8 The Chinese lunar calendar accurately predicts the sex of a baby -- Myth #9 Female fetuses have faster heart rates than male fetuses -- Myth #10 Epidurals create a high risk of harm during delivery -- Myth #11 More babies are born during a full moon -- Myth #12 Pre-chewing a baby's food has no known risks -- References -- Chapter 2 Growth, Body, & Mind -- Myth #13 Letting babies "cry it out" during bedtimeis harmful to their development -- What you need to know -- References -- Myth #14 Sugar intake causes children to be hyperactive -- What you need to know -- References.

Myth #15 Using a baby walker will help a toddler walk sooner -- What you need to know -- References -- Myth #16 Showing cognitively stimulating videos to babies boosts their intelligence -- What you need to know -- References -- Myth #17 Using "baby talk" with an infant delays their ability to speak normally -- What you need to know -- References -- Myth #18 Vaccines caused the rise in autism diagnoses -- What you need to know -- References -- Speed busting for growth, body, & mind -- Myth #19 A good response to stimulant medication is proof that a child has ADHD -- Myth #20 Requiring children to "clean their plates" promotes healthy eating habits -- Myth #21 Dyslexia's defining feature is letter reversal -- Myth #22 Most babies can learn to read with the right learning program -- Myth #23 Educational kinesiology promotes learning in children -- Myth #24 Facilitated communication is effective for children with autism -- Myth #25 Dolphin-assisted therapy effectively treats children with special needs -- References -- Chapter 3 Emotions & Behavior -- Myth #26 Bed-wetting is a sign of serious emotional problems -- What you need to know -- References -- Myth #27 Most antidepressants for children with depression are approved by the FDA -- What you need to know -- References -- Myth #28 Drawings contain specific signs useful in identifying subconscious problems -- What you need to know -- References -- Myth #29 Most toddlers go through a "terrible twos" stage -- What you need to know -- References -- Myth #30 Kids can be "scared straight" from delinquency -- What you need to know -- References -- Speed busting for emotions & behavior -- Myth #31 Parents can usually tell when their child is depressed -- Myth #32 Young girls are more likely to have clinical depression than young boys.

Myth #33 Helping children avoid their fears is the best way to decrease their anxiety -- Myth #34 Adults can usually tell if a child is lying -- Myth #35 Seeing other people be aggressive will decrease children's aggressive drive -- Myth #36 School homicides are on the rise -- Myth #37 Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) prevents drug use -- References -- Chapter 4 Social Environment -- Myth #38 An "only child" is likely to be selfish, spoiled, and socially incompetent -- What you need to know -- References -- Myth #39 Divorce ruins most kids' lives -- What you need to know -- References -- Myth #40 If you "spare the rod" you will "spoil the child" -- What you need to know -- References -- Myth #41 Brief time-outs are too weak to help decrease real behavior problems -- What you need to know -- References -- Myth #42 Daycare damages the attachment between children and parents -- What you need to know -- References -- Myth #43 Imaginary friends are a sign of social-emotional problems in children -- What you need to know -- References -- Speed busting for social environment -- Myth #44 Birth order is a powerful predictor of a child's personality -- Myth #45 The most common reason for sibling fights is the rivalry for parental love -- Myth #46 Parent-child relationship disruptions can be repaired with holding therapy -- Myth #47 Fathers use more corporal punishment than mothers -- Myth #48 Rewards usually decrease the desirable behavior they're intended to increase -- Myth #49 Praise undermines children's ability to be successful -- Myth #50 Parents were not permissive when I was a kid -- References -- Postscript: Closing Thoughts -- Truth is more surprising than fiction -- Does the field of child development consist of heroes and villains? -- Taking action: One Million Gently-Used Kid Books Project.

Assignment: Investigate Child Development Questions for Yourself -- A note to instructors -- References -- Index -- End User License Agreement.