In this tutorial, we’ll show how to interact with the program so that you can take advantage of all its features!
Developing Lives has five modules: Prenatal, Babies and Toddlers, Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, and Adolescence. Each module consists of a series of events. In most of these events, you will be presented with a scenario, offered relevant information, and then asked to make a decision about how to raise your child. Additional information is available throughout the program by clicking on the Explain or Learn More sections. You will also have a chance to read an article or watch a video and then answer some questions to earn tokens for use in the Virtual Store. With each event, there will be further opportunities for learning and sometimes even to save some precious memories of your child in the online Memory Book.
Now, let’s explore all the ways to use this program! Here’s a quick review of all of the features available in Developing Lives.
The left-hand navigation provides access to content that is specific to your current event and module.
Glossary: Look up keywords and concepts.
Data:Review your child’s vitals, such as height and weight, and compare them to national averages.
Glossary: Look up keywords and concepts.
Look Inside: Read more about what’s happening biologically in your child’s body as it develops.
Explain: Find out more about the topic of the event you are currently in.
Learn More: Access additional articles and videos that will give you even more great information. Take a quiz and earn tokens to spend in the store.
The top navigation provides access to content that is applicable to the whole simulation.
Memory Book: A personalized space where you can save items from various events throughout the simulation. From your first sonogram to high school graduation photos, you will be able to return to this memory book periodically as a memento of your experience!
Store: An online store where you can spend your tokens and buy fun and developmentally-focused goodies for your child
Help: A global access point available throughout the game.
Before you begin raising your child you will need to create your own profile and avatar, choose a mate, and find out what sort of career you will start out in.