By Susan Ciancio
Have you ever seen a small child marvel at a baby growing in his mother’s belly? Little ones are naturally awed by this miracle. Wouldn’t it be incredible to help children sustain this awe into their teen and adult years?
That is the goal of our middle school booklet that lets your child discover the developing baby. Entitled The Beauty of the Developing Human Being, this booklet not only explores the science of the earliest moments of a person’s life and allows your child to see the humanity of the tiniest and most vulnerable among us, but it helps you give your children a firm foundation regarding the fact that every human being’s life must be protected from creation until death.
Pope Leo’s prayer intention for this month is for the “for a respect for human life.” He reminds us that we must cherish and respect all life, and we understand that that includes the preborn baby. Thus, now is the perfect time to highlight six reasons that you and your kids will benefit from reading The Beauty of the Developing Human Being:
1. Your children will learn about all of the amazing things that a baby can do before he’s even born!
From the very first moment that a baby is created, he has his own unique DNA. He is an unrepeatable person! As babies grow, they do things like suck their thumbs, do somersaults, smile, and more. Your child will realize that, while a preborn baby may be smaller, he’s still as human as we are.
2. Your children will have the opportunity to see the humanity of the preborn baby for themselves.
We include a link to a 4D ultrasound video called Baby Steps so you can all watch a baby yawn, kick, hiccup, and more! You will be amazed at the clarity of the ultrasound and how well you can see the baby. Yes, he is truly alive and human!
3. Your children will learn that human beings are different from animals and how a baby is a distinct and different human being from his mother.
Using the Carnegie Stages of Human Development, this booklet teaches that, though a baby is dependent upon his mother for sustenance, he is not part of her body. He may temporarily live in her body, but he is not part of it, like a kidney or a lung. Further, we explore the fact that, unlike animals, humans are created in the image and likeness of God.
4. Your children can combine writing and grammar skills with pro-life beliefs.
One of the optional activities is a 5-paragraph essay on a topic such as embryonic development, twins and triplets, prenatal nutrition, maternal fitness, and so on. Your child will do his own research and learn more about this tiny miracle that is the preborn baby.
5. Your children will love the hands-on activities, which solidify the humanity of the preborn baby.
As you read through this booklet, your kids will create a preborn baby development poster featuring paper cutouts of each stage of a preborn baby’s life. Seeing how babies develop over time and allowing your children to follow this growth gives them concrete proof that a baby is indeed human and not just a blob of tissue.
6. Your children will learn that each person is a unique and unrepeatable gift from God with special talents we must not squander.
Using Scripture, this lesson helps students learn the importance of their individual talents and teaches them what Christ said about using your talents for the good of others.
This booklet ends with a discussion about vocations and even has a fun word game you can play as a family to help solidify the concepts. Most importantly, your child will now be armed with knowledge. He will know that a preborn baby is a human being. He will know that a preborn baby is a child of God. He will know that a preborn baby is a person and not a choice. And he will be ready to protect and defend the dignity of our smallest human beings from the moment they are created.
Focusing on the beauty of each and every human life—regardless of age, race, or ability—is something that we must learn to do if we are to have a peaceful future. Let us help you prepare your children make a difference in our culture.
This booklet is now on sale! Download it for just $5!