Unit 1 Children’s Development

Question 1

How do we know ages and stages of development

Answer 1

By observing the child and seeing how they excel in each of the areas to determine if they are on track with their development

Question 2

Definition of growth

Answer 2

An increase in physical size beginning with muscular control and the development of coordination and balance

Question 3

Development definition

Answer 3

The acquisition of skills, knowledge or physical or mental abilities in a set order

Question 4

Where does development begin?

Answer 4

With the control of their head movements and continues down the body

Question 5

How growth can affect social and emotional development

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

How growth affects adults responses

Answer 6

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

Question 7

How growth supports speech

Answer 7

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

Question 8

How growth supports bowel and bladder control

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

What is psychology professor Alison Gopniks opinion regarding babies

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

What impacts do experiences have on a child’s brain?

Answer 10

Early motor and sensory experiences allow babies and infants to absorb and make sense of the world

Question 11

Babies thinking at 9 months old

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Importance of the pre frontal cortex of the brain

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Why the belief “the minds of very young children were firmly rooted in the present” has changed

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Margaret Donaldsons description of movement

Answer 14

As babies and infants become more mobile, they need an environment with plenty of room for free physical play both inside and outside

Question 15

Importance of imitation and imaginary worlds in children’s development

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Physical development definition

Answer 16

Concerns the way that children learn to move and coordinate themselves

Question 17

The areas physical development is divided into

Answer 17

Fine motor skills
Gross motor skills
Locomotive skills

Question 18

Fine motor skills

Answer 18

Skills required for children to handle objects and coordinate fine manipulative movement of their fingers like pouring water into a cup

Question 19

Locomotive skills

Answer 19

These are required to move the body and for the ability to balance

Question 20

Cognitive development definition

Answer 20

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

Question 21

How language development links to emotional development

Answer 21

More sophisticated communication involves observing what others are thinking and how you respond

Question 22

Social development definition

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Why is it important for practitioners to understand the different stages of development

Answer 23

To recognise stage of development
To support development
To anticipate the next stages
To recognise delays

Question 24

Neural pathways

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Myelination

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Neural pruning

Answer 26

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

Question 27

The effects of early experiences on children’s brains

Answer 27

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

Question 28

What is atypical behaviour

Answer 28

Where the pattern and development falls outside the expected range for the child’s age group

Question 29

What is delayed global development

Answer 29

Where a child’s rate of progress is against all areas of development

Question 30

Potential impact of delay in social development

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Potential impact of delay in cognitive development

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Potential impact of delay in language development

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Potential impact of delay in emotional development

Answer 33

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

Question 34

Potential impact of delay in physical development

Answer 34

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

Question 35

How advances in cognition and language impact other areas

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Why it’s important to spot atypical behaviour as soon as possible

Answer 36

So they can get and additional support they need, in some cases, early recognition can lessen the impact of delay or disability

Question 37

Influences of heredity and genes

Answer 37

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

Question 38

Maslows Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 38

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

Question 39

Physiological needs

Answer 39

Our physical needs like food, clothes, shelter, warmth

Question 40

Self actualisation

Answer 40

Divided further into cognitive (exploring and thinking) and aesthetic (beauty, creating patterns, self fulfilment, mental stimulation, purpose, hobbies and interests)

Question 41

Self actualisation

Answer 41

Divided further into cognitive (exploring and thinking) and aesthetic (beauty, creating patterns, self fulfilment, mental stimulation, purpose, hobbies and interests)

Question 42

Link between Maslow and child development in love, affection and relationships

Answer 42

Feeling emotionally secure, having friends and a sense of belonging is essential in young children’s development

Question 43

Link between Maslow and child development in diet and nutrition

Answer 43

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

Question 44

Link between Maslow and child development in rest and exercise

Answer 44

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

Question 45

Link between Maslow and child development in security and protection

Answer 45

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

Question 46

Link between Maslow and child development in stimulation and interaction

Answer 46

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

Question 47

Link between Maslow and child development in independence

Answer 47

Children need to develop opportunities to do things for themselves. This helps develop a sense of self efficiency which leads to self esteem

Question 48

Impact of lifestyles on development

Answer 48

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

Question 49

Factors poverty affects

Answer 49

Diet
Housing
Education
Stress levels
Play and leisure activities

Question 50

How poverty affects diet

Answer 50

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

Question 51

How poverty affects housing

Answer 51

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

Question 52

How poverty affects education

Answer 52

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

Question 53

How poverty affects stress levels

Answer 53

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

Question 54

How poverty affects play and leisure activities

Answer 54

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