Unit 1 Children’s Development Flashcards
How do we know ages and stages of development
By observing the child and seeing how they excel in each of the areas to determine if they are on track with their development
Definition of growth
An increase in physical size beginning with muscular control and the development of coordination and balance
Development definition
The acquisition of skills, knowledge or physical or mental abilities in a set order
Where does development begin?
With the control of their head movements and continues down the body
How growth can affect social and emotional development
As children grow, they often start to feel capable for example children who are taller than others often have higher self esteem. The shape of a child’s body can also affect how they feel about themselves.
How growth affects adults responses
The size and shape of a child’s body affects the way adults respond to them. For example a tall child may be given more responsibility
How growth supports speech
The production of sounds and words is partly linked to the arrival of teeth and the building of muscles in the tongue. The easier it is for a child to be understood the more they will carry on talking
How growth supports bowel and bladder control
For children to move out of nappies, they need to understand what is happening when they wet or soil themselves. They also need the skills to move themselves to the potty and undress. These are developmental skills but growth also plays a significant part.
What is psychology professor Alison Gopniks opinion regarding babies
That babies do not need to be taught how to think. They are born either mental abilities that fully function to allow them to make sense of experiences and anticipate future events.
What impacts do experiences have on a child’s brain?
Early motor and sensory experiences allow babies and infants to absorb and make sense of the world
Babies thinking at 9 months old
They begin to recognise themselves as separate from other people. At this stage they have developed a “theory of mind”. By responding promptly and sensitively to signals, the baby learns how they can gain attention from you
Importance of the pre frontal cortex of the brain
It regulates our thinking, planning and focusing. This mature brain structure helps the thinker to resist distractions in order to concentrate on a particular topic. Babies lack this skill at a very young age
Why the belief “the minds of very young children were firmly rooted in the present” has changed
Predictable and loving routines allow them to recognise a signal and anticipate an event. In certain circumstances, babies can also envisage possibilities for the future
Margaret Donaldsons description of movement
As babies and infants become more mobile, they need an environment with plenty of room for free physical play both inside and outside
Importance of imitation and imaginary worlds in children’s development
If offers babies and infants great opportunities to use their experiences, muse on their ideas, experiment and be open to all sorts of possibilities. Babies in their first year learn fast from imitation. Babies watch the daily and increasingly predictable actions of those around them closely and by the end of their first year, are keen to copy actions they have observed. This apparent copying is actually a reconstruction, the child’s own version of what they have observed
Physical development definition
Concerns the way that children learn to move and coordinate themselves
The areas physical development is divided into
Fine motor skills
Gross motor skills
Locomotive skills
Fine motor skills
Skills required for children to handle objects and coordinate fine manipulative movement of their fingers like pouring water into a cup
Locomotive skills
These are required to move the body and for the ability to balance
Cognitive development definition
Related to the way children learn to think and to in and process information. It includes being able to remember and make connections between new information and previous experiences
How language development links to emotional development
More sophisticated communication involves observing what others are thinking and how you respond
Social development definition
The ability to make relationships and attachments to other people. Children need to develop knowledge and skills to be in line with the values of others and understanding thoughts and emotions
Why is it important for practitioners to understand the different stages of development
To recognise stage of development
To support development
To anticipate the next stages
To recognise delays
Neural pathways
Repeated experiences and stimulation create stronger and longer lasting connections between different neurons. These are known as neural pathways. Some may be present at birth but many others are formed as a result of repeated experiences
Myelination
To prevent electrical pulses from straying, the axons of the neurons need to be coated with myelin. This process of myelination begins at birth but is not complete until early adulthood
Neural pruning
Many synapses or connections will not often be used or needed. A process of pruning regularly takes place in the brain to remove these unused synapses. The first round of pruning takes place when children are 18 months old
The effects of early experiences on children’s brains
The can be affected by stress. When babies or young children are distressed, neglected or are in stressful situations, cortisol is released in high quantities. If stress is short lived and especially if a child is reassured, it will not pose a problem, this can impact brain development
What is atypical behaviour
Where the pattern and development falls outside the expected range for the child’s age group
What is delayed global development
Where a child’s rate of progress is against all areas of development
Potential impact of delay in social development
They may not be able to socialise or play either other children as their play often requires physical movement. Children whose social skills are limited may not seek or respond to opportunities for interaction both with other children and adults. They can also be excluded from play or bullied
Potential impact of delay in cognitive development
Children’s cognition and speech is closely linked. Meaning some children who have a delay with cognition may struggle to cope with the abstract use of language so may only understand with visual cues and props
Potential impact of delay in language development
They may find it has a knock on effect on their emotional and social development as they will experience fewer opportunities to interact and play with other children
Potential impact of delay in emotional development
This includes the skills of being able to recognise feelings in others and create relationships with them. Children who’s social skills show atypical development in this respect may miss out on opportunities to play with other children and develop a whole range of skills as a result
Potential impact of delay in physical development
May find it hard to explore new materials and their environment. Most play has an aspect of physical development, depending on the delay, children may have restricted opportunities to join others in play and this might result in social isolation and bullying. May also become aware of their limitations in respect of their mobility
How advances in cognition and language impact other areas
This may affect theirability to form relationships with their peers which may lead to low self esteem or unwanted behaviours as a result of stimulation or frustration
Why it’s important to spot atypical behaviour as soon as possible
So they can get and additional support they need, in some cases, early recognition can lessen the impact of delay or disability
Influences of heredity and genes
Children with inherit two sets of genes, one from each parent. This genetic information will determine many of the physical characteristics of the child. Alongside things we inherit, research also shows our complex genetic makeup will give us some predispositions that might affect all areas of development including cognitive abilities, personality and also illness. This is where mature and nurture come together
Maslows Hierarchy of Needs
He considered physical needs in relation to our abilities to achieve other things. He suggests that until our basic needs are met, we cannot progress. These needs include physiological on the bottom, safety, love/belonging, esteem and self actualisation on the top
Physiological needs
Our physical needs like food, clothes, shelter, warmth
Self actualisation
Divided further into cognitive (exploring and thinking) and aesthetic (beauty, creating patterns, self fulfilment, mental stimulation, purpose, hobbies and interests)
Self actualisation
Divided further into cognitive (exploring and thinking) and aesthetic (beauty, creating patterns, self fulfilment, mental stimulation, purpose, hobbies and interests)
Link between Maslow and child development in love, affection and relationships
Feeling emotionally secure, having friends and a sense of belonging is essential in young children’s development
Link between Maslow and child development in diet and nutrition
Food and water is one of the basic needs Maslow identified. A diet lacking in sufficient nutrients is likely to affect their growth and development
Link between Maslow and child development in rest and exercise
These are basic physiological needs. Lack of sleep can create significant problems in children’s development. It is thought that most children under 5 should be sleeping between 10 and 12 hours a night
Link between Maslow and child development in security and protection
Feeling physically safe is an important need identified by Maslow. Children who are experiencing fear are likely to become stressed. High levels of stress can have impacts on children’s neural growth
Link between Maslow and child development in stimulation and interaction
Through these is how children develop speech and language skills. These are a part of the human need to explore and have opportunities to think
Link between Maslow and child development in independence
Children need to develop opportunities to do things for themselves. This helps develop a sense of self efficiency which leads to self esteem
Impact of lifestyles on development
Families have different lifestyles. Some parents are more affluent than others. Some children will grow up with parents who have sufficient income to meet their basic needs (heating, safety, food, clothing). Some parents understand the importance of health surveillance to prevent diseases and access health care when necessary. These parents are quick to seek help and support if their child is ill or not developing as they should
Factors poverty affects
Diet
Housing
Education
Stress levels
Play and leisure activities
How poverty affects diet
Families on low incomes may buy cheaper foods and often food that are manufactured having a lower nutritional value. This may contribute to life expectancy later on and can mean children lack energy
How poverty affects housing
Families on lower incomes may live in low poorer quality housing and may not have sufficient money to heat their homes adequately. Damp, crowded housing is more likely to affect children’s health and also limit their opportunities to play freely
How poverty affects education
Children from low income households are less likely to do well academically because they may not attend the best schools or have the same access to educational tools and resources like books or the internet
How poverty affects stress levels
Parents managing on low budgets are more likely to show signs of depression and develop stress related illnesses. This in turn affects how much energy you have to parent effectively
How poverty affects play and leisure activities
Stimulation is important for children’s cognitive development and others. Play is one way this takes place, but as children get older it also occurs through leisure activities such as swimming, playing instruments. Low income families may not be able to afford this
