Factors Affecting a Child’s Development

Patterns of Development In all children, development follows similar patterns Example- Infants first move arms and legs, then they learn to roll over, then they learn to set up alone, then crawl and walk.

Maturation Learning can’t occur until the body is physically ready. Example, arm and leg muscles must develop before a child can crawl. Children don’t always start crawling at the same age because each child develops at a different rate

Rate of development Each child is unique and will develop at his or her own rate. The rate of development is not constant. During the first year of life, development is rapid, then it slows down and remains steady until adolescence, when it speeds up again. Heredity lays the basic plan for growth in height, weight, appearance and mental capacity.

Stimulating environment The parts of the brain that are stimulated develop and mature- those that are not used will gradually die. A growing child must have an interesting and interactive environment, including adults who provide love and consistent care Too much or two little stimulation can negatively impact development.

Nutrition In the first 3 years of life, 85% of the core brain structure develops. Good nutrition is essential for proper brain development. Physical appearance is also affected by poor nutrition. Obesity in the first 2 years leads to a large number of fat cells in the body. Malnutrition can result in poor muscle control in children, clumsiness, slow language development or they may be fussy and cranky.

People in the Child’s Environment Parents- Provide love, safe and secure environment. Babies who do not receive love can be stunted in their growth. A lack of affection causes the pituitary glands to malfunction so they don’t produce enough growth hormones. Introduce child to the outside world Provide role model of how people live and act

Other adults Family members Caregivers Teachers

A Child’s Temperament Each child has a different pattern for responding physically, socially, emotioally, and intellectually. Parents must be aware of differences in a child temperament. Some children are quiet and sensitive, others are busy and noisy. Some children need lots of cuddling or affection, others do not like to be touched

Physical Development Height and weight measurements are taken often and charted Child doubles birth weight by 6 months and triples by one year

Physical patterns of development Cephalocaudal- development proceeds from the head to toe.Head, brain, and eyes develop and mature before the trunk and legs Proximodistal – development proceeds from the entral part of the body to the outer parts- brain, spinal column and organs develop and mature before finger movements. Development proceeds from simple to complex-baby first waves arms, then picks up objects, eventually writes with a pencil

Motor development Occurs from head to foot, and from the center outward Children learn to control large muscles before small ones Gross motor skills -mean movements that use the large muscles- walking, running, skipping Fine motor skills- fine movements of the hands and fingers-grasping, picking up small objects, drawing, cutting, etc.

Intellectual development Children are born with over 100 billion brain cells called neurons Brain cells connect to each other through synapses or tiny spaces between the nerve endings. Electrical charges cross the synapes, creating pathways in the brain to millions of other brain cells

Use it or lose it rule Brain pathways that are not used during early childhood are eliminated. By age 3, 85%of a child’s core brain structure is in place The experiences of a child during the first three years affect the way his/her brain develops