Factors that influence child development

There are a lot of factors which effect a child’s development some of these are:

* Family structure

* Housing

* Sibling rivalry

Family Structure

There are many reasons why children live in a range of family structures. Some of these structures are:

* Nuclear family

* Extended family

* Lone-parent family

* Reconstituted family

Nuclear Family

This family is usually classed as “normal.” This usually consists of parents and children. Parents are usually the primary carers. Katie lives in this type of family she has two older brothers and two older sisters. She has a lot of role models living with her and also people she can depend on and learn from.

Extended family

This is where relatives live with the family. The relatives living with the family would help care for the child. The child would develop a strong relationship with a lot of members of the family it also has a strong sense of security.

Lone-parent family

The child lives with only one parent some reasons for this maybe

* One parent has died

* Parents separated

* Single parent by choice

* Teenage pregnancy

The effect this will have on the child is that the child may not get enough attention because the parent might be working or for some other reason.

Reconstituted family

This happens when either a widowed or divorced parent remarries thus adding step brothers and sisters into the equation. This is often confusing for the child and an outsider. The break-up of a family does affect the child.

Housing

If there is lack of space you are unable to have personal space which increases tension,

If the house is damp or dirty this will affect your child’s health it can lead to respiratory problems. Of if you do not have access to a garden or a public play area this can lead to lack of physical skills, lack of opportunities to make friends and socialise

Sibling rivalry

If a new baby arrives an older brother or sister is likely to feel jealous. They may feel they have to compete for attention. The child will feel left out. In katies house she shares a room with her older sister niamh who is 18 this causes a lot of tension and sibling rivalry. Making Katie angry and the only way she knows to express her anger is to hit people. Although the house is a bit crowded it is warm and clean.

Nutrition

Another factor is nutrition this is essential for a child to grow. There are different nutrients needed to keep you alive these are:

Carbohydrates

Proteins

Fats

Minerals

Vitamins

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates provide energy. Potatoes, rice and bread are carbohydrates. These foods are high in starch and sugar. When there is an access of carbohydrates in the body it is stored in the body as fat until it’s needed.

Proteins

Proteins are used to build the body and keep it in good repair. Meats, fish, chicken and beans are a good source of protein. They are particularly important in childhood for building the brain, muscles, skin, blood and other tissues in order to make a strong and healthy body.

Fats

Fats provide energy. Fats can be consumed in many forms such as solid form like cheese and liquid form such as oil, this depends on temperature. The foods which contain majority fats are usually the most popular types of food, although the body needs fat when there is too much it is stored as body fat.

Minerals

Minerals are essential for growth. Minerals are substances such as calcium and iron. A good source of minerals is green vegetables, cheese and water.

Vitamins

Vitamins are derived from plants and animals. We cannot manufacture vitamins naturally so they have to be obtained from food. They are needed for various chemical activities. A very small quantity of each vitamin is required for the body to keep healthy.

A child’s diet varies from a new born to 8 years old. A new born baby has a diet of milk but as the child gets older the child is weaned from liquids to solids. When the child is on solid foods their diet should be balanced which means that they should get the right amount of each substance. If a diet is not balanced the child is not balanced the child will suffer illness like malnutrition, obesity, anaemia to name a few. It will also affect their concentration and growth.

Katies diet is quiet unhealthy as she enjoys to eat sweets and chips. Being at school she has to make her own decisions about both break and lunch so she is more likely to go for the unhealthier meal, which will take its toal in the long run.

Social factors

There are many social factors which will influence a child’s development such as:

Gender

Social class

School

Home

Gender

Gender is a factor as there is a factor as there is a difference between male and female. As a child is growing up even from when they are baby girls wear pink and boys wear blue this is not really a social factor but it shows a difference even from a very young age. When a child is young they don’t care wiether a person is male or female, but as time progresses and they get older the begin to socialise with their own sex rather than the other. Girls also tend to “grow up” more than boys from a young age they c their mother or older sisters putting on make up or using their phones and want to mimic them. Where as boys usually play football etc. Katie does mimic her mother and sisters but she also likes to play with tractors and cars which is seen as more of a boys activity.

Social class

This is also an important factor as it can limit or increase the amount of opportunities for development. If a child is raised in a middle class will have more opportunities than a child in a working class family as money is the main factor. Such a small thing can have such a large impact on a child’s development. Middle class can also afford better food, toys and education. They may also have a better manner of talking which will help them in later life.

Where as a person a person from a Woking class family maybe hindered by this. Another thing is that a working class child will see their parent on a low income and think that they can only do what their parents are doing. They may also not have enough money to stay on in school. Katie belongs to a working class family although they do not have an abundance of money. The encouragement for Katie to do well in school is evident.

School

School affects different children in different ways. It is a way to socialise with people, at a young age this can help their intellectual development because they will develop language skills. School in a way is preparation for later life. It can also affect a child’s behaviour. if a child is not getting enough attention due to their low grades and a student with higher grades is always getting praised and getting attention the other child may feel degraded and worthless thus resulting in bad behaviour and attention seeking or lack of confidence these effects could be long term and continue throughout the persons life. On the other hand a child who does get the attention will usually be well mannered and behaved.

Home

Home is the biggest learning base for a child. This is where the child develops the basic skills which are essential for life. They also learn right from wrong and religious values. A home provides a sense of security, encouragement, support, love and attention. All this will help a child strive to be the best they can be. They also feel part of something and that they are needed and wanted.

If there is a negative atmosphere it will affect the child negatively as they may feel they are a burden or a problem. They may also find it hard to communicate with others making them sad and lonely they may also display anti-social behaviour as a result of this. As katie’s mother works as a childminder, Katie benefited from this when she was younger as there was children her own age for her to play and interact with and learn from.