Child Development – Unit 1

Beginners Guide for New Parents â€Å"A taste of things to come† Awareness of child development From birth to adulthood children are all developing. They develop at different rates but all follow the same basic pattern. Physical development starts from the head, and works down the body to the arms and finally the legs. Communication develops from crying to recognizable words and then intelligent conversation. Emotionally children are reliant on their primary caregiver until they develop an awareness of themselves and are able to socialize and function independently. These various strands of development are not made in isolation or sequentially. Development is concurrent and holistic, therefore any deficiency in one area can affect the development in other areas. ————————————————- Pattern of child development Physical development | | 1. 1 a| Infant0 – 12 months| A newborn lies curled up in the fetal position, unable to raise head. Movements are instinctive such as reactions to sound or closing eyes in bright light. 3 months can turn head to look at objects. 6 months child begins to hold up head, keeping it steady for increased periods. Learns to grasp and hold objects, then moves them from one hand to the other at will. Next can pull body to a sitting position and stay upright when aided. 9 months is able to sit unaided. Releases toys by dropping. Uses pincer grip to pick up items. Holds feeding bottle. 12 months as the baby gains more body control it can roll and crawl. | | Early years1 – 3 years| The gross motor skills are developed as the child starts to stand with support. This progresses to standing alone for a couple of seconds. Can walk holding one hand for support. Can walk unaided, run and jump as she develops full control of her limbs. Finer motor skills are developed such as the pincer grip to pick up small objects. Is able to hold a spoon to feed themselves. Learns to hold a crayon to scribble and then draw shapes with. Talks well in sentences, clear enough to be understood. | | Childhood4 – 7 years| Learns to eat independently using a knife and fork. Motor skills are developed to the point where a child can walk backwards. They can now walk placing heel to toe and balance themselves on a narrow beam. Manual dexterity now allows them to catch a ball, build structures, and draw shapes. Dress and undress with assistance, then alone. Take turns in play with friends and plays cooperatively. Could be frightened of things like spiders and ghosts. Knows their left from right and how many fingers they have. | | Puberty8 – 12 years| Hormonal changes are responsible for a growth spurt at this time. Gain muscles, but can still appear to lack coordination. Develop large and fine motor skills for use in sports and hobbies. Activity increases and may want to spend more time with peers rather than parents. Noticeable body changes take place, girls develop breasts and boys’ voices change. The growth of underarm and pubic hair is normal at this time. Another indicator of this stage is the development of Acne. Pre teens begin to notice the opposite sex, but prefer to stick with their own gender. | | Adolescence13 – 16 years| Their own identity emerges in musical taste and clothes. Teenagers frequently have close friendships with their peers. Are often concerned about how they look and what others think of them. Physical changes continue as puberty is ongoing or completed. Children become more independent but still seek advice and guidance from parents. Teens are aware of the opposite sex and may be going out with them. Preoccupied by their own sexualityConflict and a lowered opinion of parents emerge as teenager tries to mature. | | Young Adult17 – 19 years| More stable emotionally. Not so concerned about body once puberty ends. Develops clear sexual identity. By the end of this stage both girls and boys will have reached physical maturity. | | Communication and intellectual development | | 1. 1 b| Infant0 – 12 months| A newborn baby cries as their only means of communication. As young babies have no concept of time, to them all needs are urgent, and should be responded to as such. Begins to formulate concepts and is aware of the physical sensation of hunger. Will cry in order to have the need for food met. Develops different cries for a variety of needs, changing, hurting, frightened or lonely. Once they find their voice they will make cooing noises and other sounds. Begins to take an interest in their surroundings, paying attention to toys. Uses voice to communicate feelings, with laughter when playing and screaming when annoyed. Can understand familiar objects and has an expectation of what they will do. Chatters away tunefully and uses voice to attract attention. Watches the actions of those around them with interest. | | Early years1 – 3 years| Will learn 2 or 3 words that will be repeated constantly. Able to make the appropriate response to simple instructions. Goes through a trial and error process to discover what an object does. Can verbally communicate what they need. Is developing an inquiring mind about things and surroundings. Uses own personal jargon with many words unintelligible to most people. Knows the names for different parts of their body. Often repeats the last word spoken by any adult in earshot. Has a growing vocabulary of over 200 words and talks to themselves continuously. Joins 2 or 3 words together to make a sentence. Can use their own name with reference to themselves. Constantly asking questions, with infantile substitution, and can relate past events to the present. | | Childhood4 – 7 years| Speech becomes more confident as the substitutions decrease and full fluent speech is achieved. Can count up to twenty using repetition. Ask for the meaning of unfamiliar words. Questioning generally is at its height. Can draw a recognizable house and detailed people. Has a sense of time and can relate to the past, present and future. Able to write their own nameCan match colours and has an understanding of numbers. Reading skills will be developing in this stage and the child might write independently. | | Puberty8 – 12 years| Speech has now developed fully. Reading and writing skills are now being refined. Able to express thoughts and discuss learning making use of language skills. Shares ideas and opinions with peer group. Speech style or jargon is important to fit in with their group. Have a fairly rigid concept of right and wrong. | | Adolescence13 – 16 years| Will confide more with their peers than their parents. Increased use of speech reduces the amount of acting out. Have a good idea of their favorite sport and subjects and are well motivated in these areas. Fluctuates between considerable maturity and babyness. Can appear secretive at home, talkative but not very communicative. Has a stubborn unwillingness to compromise. | | Young Adult17 – 19 years| Thinking about choices to be made regarding further education or career choice. Emerging ability to make independent decisions and able to compromise. Begins to become more self-reliant. Conversation skills are well developed and uses prior knowledge gained. | Social, emotional and behavioural development | | 1. 1 c| Infant0 – 12 months| Creates an attachment bond with mother. Smiles at mother and may squeal with delight. Familiar routines elicit a positive response. Responds to different tones from mother. May become shy in the company of strangers and cling to a familiar adult. Can imitate hand clapping. Understands simple com mands and can wave goodbye. Will cooperate with adult dressing them. | | Early years1 – 3 years| Can demonstrate signs of affection. Will participate in nursery rhymes. Now should be able to help adult with dressing. Indicates when pants are soiled or wet. Becomes emotionally dependent on a familiar adult. Drinks from a cup with both hands. At the end of this stage will gain control of bowels. May throw a tantrum when frustrated. Able to play co-operatively and may have imaginary friends. Tries visibly hard to please. | | Childhood4 – 7 years| Child enjoys co-operative and dramatic play, taking turns. Understands the links between co-operation and competition. Can respond rationally to reasoning. Enjoys a degree of independence but still needs reassurance. Can become totally engrossed in activities. Can be concerned about being disliked. Fears develop about things under the bed or ghosts. Now able to form firm friendships. Fairly independent and confident. | | Puberty8 – 12 years| They will develop a select group of friends. Friendships become firm and more settled. They seek more independence in order to solve problems themselves. Need continued praise and encouragement. Increasingly concerned about what others think about them. Will be unsure about changes in their setting. | | Adolescence13 – 16 years| Body changes can upset self-esteem of children and make them quite vulnerable. As their bodies take on adult characteristics they still feel childlike inside. Will feel pressure from growing up and changing expectations. Some become more assured by changes in their environment. Peer pressure is a significant influence on them. Children want to spend more time with their friends than family. | | Young Adult17 – 19 years| As children enter adulthood they are still relatively inexperienced. The peer group losses importance and is replaced by a few close friends. Mature young adults will start to listen to their parents again, asking for advice. As a sense of identity emerges they are no longer afraid to seek counseling. One on one dating becomes important. May embark on a more intimate relationship with someone. | | Different aspects of development can affect one another | | 1. 2| Football| A child needs to be physically developed in order to play this game. They will use gross motor skills to run around and kick the ball. Hand-eye (feet-eye) coordination is also essential as the player needs to be spatially aware of where they are in relation to other things. It is no good have strong legs and great aim if you could not see where the ball was and make a connection. | | | It is not much fun playing this game in isolation. As a team game players need to have the social skills to share the ball by taking it in turns. They have to understand the cooperation factor which is vital in a competitive game. No one person can win a game on their own. | | | This game consists of rules that are available off the pitch, these may be discussed orally or read by individuals. Professional teams are supported and lively banter between children will have them routing for their side. With little instructions or intervention children can communicate with each other to organise themselves into teams and have a very good game. | Language| It is important that babies are spoken to regularly and exposed to a variety of rich language. The more they are talked to the more responsive they will be. The more that they hear, allows them to develop a larger and more varied vocabulary. Research shows that there is a link between early language and literacy skills. Increased reading and writing skills can be the foundation for academ ic and social success in the future. | | | | | ————————————————- Influences that affect children’s development Background | | 2. 1 a| Members of your family are the most important people in your child’s life. This includes siblings, aunts and uncles, cousins or even neighbours and good friends. If all is well in their world the chances are that it will be the same for your child. However things do happen that can have an effect on your child’s development and you may not realize it. If a family member becomes ill or dies this can be an emotionally upsetting time not just for the adults involved, but also for the children who have formed an attachment to them. Some less obvious influences may be the ‘expected’ birth of a sibling; the introduction of a new partner or having to move home or school. You should pay attention to any change in your child’s behaviour and check if their learning is being affected. | | Is your culture the same as the environment you are raising you child in? If not you should consider how these differences will affect your child. When English is not your first language it is helpful to your child if you encourage your child to develop this along side their mother tongue. It is important that children are able to speak, write and understand English so that they can have full access to the curriculum and make progress at the same rate as their peers. | Children are known to be a very expensive to raise and educate. Not all parents have the necessary funds to feed and cloth them adequately, let alone provide for extras. Poverty may be recognized by other children if a child does not have the latest fashion or electronic gadget at home. This may lead to a child being excluded from certain playground groups. It has been reported that children from d eprived circumstances do not usually do well aat school as this impacts on most areas of their development. | | Health | | 2. 1 b| Ill health of a mother or baby immediately after birth can have a profound effect on a child. It is in this very early stage of life that infants need the care of a constant caregiver. Any interruption to this process stops the child’s normal attachment progression. This could then result in a child struggling to form close relationships later in life. A child may be unwell occasionally and need to stay off from school for a few days. There will be cause for concern if this becomes a regular pattern. Any child who misses out on school restricts their developmental opportunities. A child who has a physical impairment is understandably restricted in certain areas, such as ovement in the playground and the social interactions that come with play. Support from adults around them is essential to help ensure they are included wherever possible. | | Growth and weight are primary indicators that are used by professionals to monitor the progress and well being of children. Children of the same age are often different shapes and sizes and there are a number of indicators that ca n explain this. For example boys are often bigger than girl, genetics may be responsible for a boy having a short stature and slight frame, or a poor diet may be responsible for a child being overweight. In all these cases reference to a growth chart may provide answers or explanation for their current development position. A pattern emerges over time for each child and cause for alarm would be if there was a sudden or sharp deviation from the normal pattern. The route for a child who was born prematurely will initially be on a lower path than that of a full term baby however it would be expected to ‘catch up’ over time. Even if this was not the case as long as the child was meeting other development goals this would not be an issue in isolation. | | | | | Environment | | 2. 1 c| Where children live has a marked effect on their social and emotional development. Children that live in a nice, clean, graffiti free, residential area are likely to grow up stress free. They will probably live in a single family residence, in a natural setting, with room to run and exercise their gross motor skills. It is likely that they will know their neighbours giving them opportunities for extended social interactions. High rise dwellings; noise and traffic pollution; overcrowding and access to services, all contribute to levels of psychological distress for many children. This manifests itself indirectly as poor interactions with parents and teachers which culminate in poor language and learning development. | | Children are routinely exposed to noise from cars, airplanes, music and other people. It is essential for children to be able to hear properly in order to learn how to read. However, when they are constantly bombarded with acute noise levels they begin to ignore all auditory input. This defense mechanism has been documented by researchers who recorded significantly reduced reading and speech ability. Children’s cognitive development is also compromised by noise pollution as adults and teachers around them struggle to be heard. Teachers can become annoyed, fatigued and impatient in a loud environment. Their teaching style can become compromised as they lose valuable time dealing with distractions. This indirectly deals another blow to the child chances of developing | | Crowding is another factor that has been noted as having a marked effect on children’s development. This phenomenon can affect the only child as well as those from large families. It comes about when a child is placed in an overcrowded situation over which they feel they have no control. Children may withdraw into themselves as a coping strategy. This may occur in a children’s activity area and result in less constructive and interactive play. Language development can be affect as parents speak less to children in crowded situations. There is also a tendency to speak in simple terms, thereby depriving them of the opportunity to hear and learn more complicated words. | | Importance of recognising and responding to concerns | | 2. | As parents you are in the best position to observe and monitor how your child is developing. Conversely when you feel that there is something wrong you should trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to discuss them with your doctor or health care professional. You might notice that your child never makes eye contact with you; perhaps they fail to respond to your voice; or they display sudden and severe mood changes sev eral times throughout the day. Instead of speculating what might be the problem might be on your own, a proper diagnosis is best. Early intervention will identify any problem and work towards solutions can start straight away if necessary. | | If you recognise that there are external issues affecting your child you should respond to them appropriately. As a parent or carer you could share your concerns with your child’s teacher. This will allow them to be alert to the child’s behaviour and they may be able to monitor their progress more closely for a time. It is also important to disclose changes in the family environment, such as a family break up with changes to living arrangements. As I have already said these may well have an effect on the child that the teacher can be forewarned to deal with. | | In some schools you may have direct access to the Special Education Needs Coordinator or the child can be referred to them via the teacher. It is always a good idea to find out from the school who these people are and what is the procedure to get access to them. If you have this information available before you need it you will be able to act quickly and correctly when concerns arise. | | ————————————————- Transitional stages Experienced by most children| | 3. 1| Being bornMilk to solidsCrawling to walkingBeing fed to feeding themselvesNappies to potty trainedUnaware to aware of selfHome to nursery| Nursery to Primary SchoolPrimary School to Senior SchoolPubertySexual awarenessChanging friendshipsHandling financesGetting a job * | | * Puberty * * You will need to watch out for Puberty, or adolescence as it is sometimes called. This is the natural transition that your child will go through on the way to becoming an adult. Aside from the growth spurt that occurs at this time for both sexes, girls will have their first period, and boys experience their first ‘wet dream’ (nighttime emission) and voice breaking etc. Less physical changes are the physiological, behavioural and relationships. The enormity of these changes may be overwhelming for a child who feels that there is something actually wrong with them but they are too afraid to ask anyone. The stress adolescents feel during these times of change can lead them to try drink or drugs as a coping strategy. Others may experiment with substance abuse or engage in risky sexual behaviour. There are various consequences that can come about from this behaviour such as contracting sexually transmitted diseases; teenage pregnancy or even death from addiction overdose or suicide * | | * These scenarios have been well studied and documented, they are included here not to alarm but to make you aware and equip you with pointers that will help you recognise situations that can be emotionally tough for your child. Stay involved with your child during these transitions and encourage them to talk to you about anything and everything, listen to them without judgment. Does your child feel neglected? Set aside some special time with them to show your interest and this will give you an opportunity to pick up on problems or changes in their behaviour. Prompt your child to talk about their experience or knowledge of different substances and the abuse of them. You have every right to know who your child is friends with and keep track of their movements. Again research has shown that children whose activities are not monitored by their parents are 4 times more likely to use drugs. Any observation of changes or disturbing behaviour should alert you to seek the help of professionals at an early stage. | | Experienced by some children | | 3. 2| A new siblingDomestic violenceBullyingEmotional abuseParents separating/divorcingSerious illness (child/parent)Family member diesUnexpected change of schoolMoving house| Physical/sexual abuseSeparation from familyParent(s) in prisonLooked after by local authorityMarriage (consensual/forced)Learn to driveGoing to universityChange group of friendsCo ming out as gay or lesbian| | * Going to University * * You might think this is great for you and your child. You have encouraged and supported them for years. They have studied hard and beat off stiff competition for a place at the university of their choice. Nevertheless, their departure is a significant milestone for the family as it ushers in a new transition and time of separation that everyone will have to get used to. Unless the family is quite wealthy the stress of financing higher education can have a negative impact on all. The adjustment for students away from home for the first time can have an effect on their mental health. The ‘empty nest’ left behind may give you as parents a feeling of loss as you relinquish some of your parental control. * The impact of university on students gives them a newfound sense of freedom as they are off the radar in terms of parental restrictions and rules. However, they will be confronted by new and different pressures as they take control of their lives. They now have to learn to live with a new ‘family’ and learn how they are now to behave with this new group of people . The opportunity for study is obviously available but so is the list of other things to do and places to go. It can be a time of sensory overload as course work and parties vie for attention. As a parent you should encourage your child to explore new interests, meet new people and discover their new surroundings, with the proviso that getting an education should be the foremost concern. Encourage them to seek out professors or other adults who can keep them focused and grounded. Ensure they know where to turn for help if they do encounter problems whether they are academic or emotional. * * In the midst of students finding their independence and doing fine – you may be in receipt of a tearful phone call. You may try to advise from a distance but this is not always possible. Work out ways to stay connected and involved by doing little things to remind them they are in your thoughts. Sending cards or notes with pictures of events they have missed can help to let them know they are loved and it is not a case of ‘out of sight out of mind’. * | | Affect of transitions on children’s behaviour and development | | 3. 3| At some time children will have to leave the comfort of their home and move on to some form of semi formal or formal education. This might initially be at a playgroup, nursery or reception class. Whichever route they take it is a time of major change for them and the way they handle it should be monitored closely. Children who have been used to one on one attention may struggle with having to share the teacher with the rest of their classmates. However those who have had a secure and happy upbringing will be emotionally mature enough to cope with the change. Children of a more delicate nature may regress in their behaviour and need reassurance to participate. They may suck their thumb for comfort or cling to a favorite toy or object. Sensitive handling of these actions will help them through and build up confidence to a point where learning is not hindered. | | Children who are looked after have been prematurely separated from parents. If this takes place in the formative years it is likely that they will have attachment issues. When this happens a child can become emotionally stuck at the age they were when the separation took place. This can then have a detrimental affect on how they view making attachments with others who are tasked with looking after them. The defense mechanism is now set to I will act up and refuse to engage with you just in case you up and leave me too. Every effort must be made to engage these special children and help them overcome their disadvantaged circumstances. Universities are well aware of the problems faced by students, especially in the first year, and have systems in place to deal with these transitions. | | ———————————————— References If you wish to do some more research or reading on the subject here are some of the books and websites I found useful when writing this booklet. Supporting teaching and learning in schools: Louise Burnham & Brenda Baker, 2010 6 to 16 Child Development: Penny Tassoni, 2007 The effects of the Physical Environment on Children’s Develo pment: Dr Gary Evans http://www. parenting. cit. cornell. edu/documents/Physical-Environment-Evans. pdf www. nhs. co. uk www. pampers. co. uk