2.1 Summarise the external factors that can affect a Childs development
Nature and fostering contribute to the growth and development of a child. Aspects like heredity, which is the exchange of traits through genes, influence the elements of physical appearances.
Diseases are also transmitted, and some can lead to stunt growth and development of the child. The environment is a significant aspect of the stimulation of physical and psychological features. Children require a well socially peaceful environment, which brings out their interpersonal skills, enabling them to excel in activities rather than a stressful environment.
The sex of the child also affects the development of a child as boys and girls both develop differently; girls can mature faster than boys. The physical conformation of boys and girls also differ significantly; boys are more athletic and rigorous than ladies. Good exercise and health also bring the best out of children who often engage in sports activities and fight diseases.
Bradley et al. (375)states that “Socio-economic status effects are moderated by children’s characteristics, family characteristics, and external support systems”. They may also have parents working for long hours, thereby not devoting to the amount of time their children may need.
Family influence may also lead to a child’s better nurturing; it provides development physically and psychologically. The most positive impact of growth is when a family invests its energy and love to ensure children develop through reading activities. Good healthy nutrition and diet are critical for faster growth of the child; providing a well-balanced diet are required to ensure maximum;l growth.
A balanced diet is rich in vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fats that are important for brain and body development. Familial influence is essential in nurturing an all-around child, and this brings the need for basic love and energy invested in the children.
It gives the child better social; skills, and bonding with their fellows become easy. The topographical experiences of developing a child, where they stay, communities around, and peer circles all bring up the child’s social factors.
Even the weather patterns of an area influence the body development healthwise, allergies may also present themselves. The presence of their bodily hormones may also bring outgrowth defects like obesity and some behavioral problems.
This is witnessed at the puberty stage when they start to feel hormonal changes in the body. A close family environment may lead to a feeling of being loved and protected and such, ay entice the growth of well-endowed character traits since the parents or carers have a close monitor of the child development. Children that are far away from their parents tend to have less time to grow socially, always on their own and have fewer interactions.
They may draw away from their families and prefer to be alone. The education a child receives grants him or her an institutional structure right from birth, and whatever the parent teaches the child at the tender age, they don’t forget and stick to it.
Children are susceptible to their authoritative figures, and a slight misinterpretation of their deeds and action may send the wrong signal; they feel the need to be understood.
Holt (7980) argues that “ a close family always brings the best of children, giving them the closest resources they can provide, giving them also adequate time and sense of value.” Families far from their children always find it hard to talk and have good conversations; the children rebel due to the parents’ absence and get attached to friends and other people more than their actual parents.
2.2 Summarise the personal factors that can affect a Childs development
Some of the personal factors that affect a child’s individual development include incapacities, illness, learning problems, and personality appearances. Some children may feel anxious about learning due to the negativity experienced from the last time in school.
Recent studies showed that “Multilevel piecewise latent growth curve models showed that stress perception decreased during late adolescence, whereas active and internal coping increased continuously from ages 12 to 19” ( Seiffge-Krenke et al. 260). A child may also have frequent health issues that include asthma attacks or even cancer; this may affect the child’s learning mode and tend to react to the medication.
Some of the drugs administered may have adverse side effects that may affect the development of the child. Congenital anomalies, including heart defects, may also lead to a long-time disability, affecting the child’s growth and development.
A child needs self-motivation to provide the best results in school and show interest in school and co-curricular activities. Motivation is an innate curiosity that children can learn and seek more information pertaining given subject.
With self-motivation, the child Can perform in the eyes of the teacher and that of the peers, and there is a constant need to do well. Feeling degraded or failing may cause the child to lose interest; they do not find joy in learning.
Some children may experience learning difficulties, which may affect their cognitive skills and social life.
It limits their pace with their peers if reading and language communication is not at par. Lack of coordination can affect their physical development, having unpolished motor skills. This, in turn, affects intellectual and social development.
