To achieve D1, I will evaluate the impact of nature and nurture on the development of PIES (physical, intellectual, emotional, and social) during infancy and adolescence. Nature refers to genetic inheritance and characteristics, while nurture pertains to environmental factors and upbringing. This assessment will concentrate on how nature affects PIES development in infancy and examine relevant theories.
In this text, we will discuss the influence of nature and nurture on the PIES (Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social) development in both infancy and adolescence. Initially, we will analyze how nurture affects the PIES in infancy. Subsequently, we will investigate the impact of nature on the PIES during adolescence. Additionally, we will explore how nurture influences the PIES in adolescence.
One aspect of physical development that is affected by nature is genetics. Genetic factors determine an infant’s height, weight, and potential physical disabilities. These characteristics can be inherited from parents and can affect a child’s overall physical development including growth and motor skills.
Children require proper muscle development in order to grow and flourish in accordance with their age. Nevertheless, disabilities or abnormalities can impede this progress. Additionally, if an expectant mother consumes alcohol, it could lead to the birth of a baby affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which has a significant impact on physical development. Similarly, maternal stress during pregnancy can exert pressure on the baby and potentially result in abnormalities.
Smoking and malnutrition during infancy can have a negative impact on physical development. Moreover, if specific genes are inherited from parents, developmental disabilities like Cerebral Palsy and cystic fibrosis may arise in infancy. As children mature, they acquire the ability to crawl, walk, talk, and accomplish other tasks through the genes passed down by their parents.
There could be a delay in the physical development of individuals due to hereditary conditions or diseases. This delay implies that it will take them a longer time to reach their developmental milestones, unless they have a disabling condition or disease. The physical nurture of infants is influenced by their surroundings, as it can impact their actions. For instance, if a child grows up enjoying sports, they are likely to remain active and develop a love for exercise as they progress from infancy to childhood.
During infancy, children may begin attending pre-school, nursery, or day facilities. Teachers and other children at these facilities promote physical activity through play and exercise. These places also offer nutritious snacks and drinks to support the child’s health. The child’s daily routine during this stage can impact their physical well-being, including changes in exercise levels, eating patterns, or overall physical activity.
The physical development of an infant can be greatly influenced by their environment. For example, when an infant is in the stage of learning to walk, they rely on objects in their surroundings for support. Typically, people close to the child, like their parents, help them learn to walk by holding their arms while allowing them to move their feet and legs independently. However, if one of the child’s parents has a mobility disability or is not very active, it could have an impact on the child’s physical development. In such situations, the parent may not be able to participate in physical activities with the child, resulting in lower levels of activity compared to others. This can affect the child’s ongoing physical development. Intellectual-Nature
Exposure to toxic chemicals, certain foods, and maternal stress during pregnancy can have long-lasting effects on the baby’s cognitive development. Infancy is a crucial stage for intellectual growth, so excessive exposure to these factors may lead to cognitive difficulties. Mothers who smoke, consume unhealthy foods, or experience stress or trauma during pregnancy often observe a higher likelihood of delayed cognitive development in their infants.
On the other hand, if the mother refrains from smoking, follows a nutritious diet, and steers clear of stress and trauma while pregnant, the infant’s cognitive development usually progresses as anticipated. Nevertheless, genetic health problems might hinder a child’s inclination towards or access to an enriching environment. Nevertheless, at birth, children possess innate learning capabilities.
An infant’s intellectual development involves various milestones that they learn as they grow. The rate of development may be affected by factors such as concentration or conditions like dyslexia. At the start of infancy, when the child is a baby, they respond to noises or conversations from their parents by making sounds or occasionally uttering simple words like ‘yeah’. They also start comprehending meaningful words like yes, no, and bye.
As the baby grows, their ability to understand meaningful phrases instead of single words improves. This happens when they receive instructions. The child’s intellectual development mainly depends on their learning experiences and environment rather than being something innate.
Some parents may opt out of participating in activities that promote their child’s learning, such as questioning them or instructing them on vocabulary. This can have an adverse effect on the relationship between parents and their baby, ultimately impacting their cognitive and emotional growth. Neglect or mistreatment of a baby has a notable impact on their intellectual development. Over time, insufficient interaction with parents can result in harmful hormonal changes that hinder brain development.
The child’s education and achievements become a source of motivation if parents show interest in them. This concept aligns with the behaviorist approach, which will be explored further. Emotional development in children can be affected by genetic abnormalities or disabilities. These conditions pose challenges that impact their ability to cope. For example, Downs syndrome, often associated with happiness, may also lead to emotional difficulties due to significant levels of stubbornness.
The regular routine of infants can have a significant impact on their emotional development. Handling various emotions at such a young age can be challenging due to their ongoing developmental process. It is possible for Perinatal Maternal Depression to be inherited across generations. Therefore, if a baby inherits this depression from their mother, they may potentially experience a mild form of depression that could worsen as they age.
If an infant goes through this experience during infancy, they may show signs of depression, although not as severe as in adolescents or adults. Inherited postnatal depression from the mother can greatly affect an infant’s emotional development. Studies have revealed that infants whose mothers had postnatal depression were less likely to engage in sharing, had lower rates of interactive behavior, showed less concentration compared to other infants, and displayed aversion towards meeting strangers.
This demonstrates the impact of nature on an infant’s emotional development, as those children displaying the aforementioned less common symptoms have inherited them from their mothers. Consequently, these infants experience a different developmental process compared to other infants. Birth establishes a natural bond between a child and their mother, underscoring the significance of the mother-baby attachment in facilitating emotional development and fostering a content and joyful infancy.
Not establishing this bond can result in negative consequences for an infant’s emotional development, which may be evident in later years. The emotional development of a child during infancy is vital and can have a profound effect on their overall growth. Nurture has a significant impact on an infant’s emotional development through various means. A key factor is the attachment between the mother and child, as it guarantees that the child’s emotional needs are met.
The child’s emotional well-being is influenced by feelings of love, safety, and protection. Every little action, like hugs, kisses, smiles, and the way parents communicate with their child can affect an infant’s development. By observing a mother and her child interacting, one can see that a strong bond between them promotes better harmony. The mother may use various techniques such as making sounds, smiling, and using simple language with different tones while communicating with the child. As a result, the child will probably respond in some way.
When a mother and child have a strong bond, their communication style varies. The infant may not fully understand this and as a result, may not respond appropriately. Nevertheless, if parents devote sufficient attention to their infant, as the child grows older, a trusting relationship is likely to form between them. Research has demonstrated that when parents offer the required affection and attention, infants undergo healthier development.
A strong and consistent relationship between a parent and an infant can benefit the child in managing stress as they grow older. Interacting with an infant with Down syndrome may present challenges, but it is possible for them to exhibit socially acceptable behavior and be integrated into a regular classroom setting.
Infants with Down’s syndrome display sociable and affectionate behaviors towards others. However, when it comes to sickle-cell anemia inheritance, ongoing hospital treatment may hinder the child’s social development due to their different experiences compared to other children. Likewise, children who inherit brittle bone disease are prone to experiencing multiple fractures during their growth period.
Although this affects them physically, it also affects them emotionally, socially, and intellectually. Socially, they have to be very cautious with their actions due to their brittle bone disease, as even a minor activity can result in a fracture. Consequently, they may miss significant amounts of school time, have to be careful in their social interactions, and require frequent hospital treatment. Social-Nurture
Parents who have a joyful and sociable attitude towards their baby, and make an effort to create a pleasant lifestyle, will pass on these traits as the child matures. Spending ample time with a specific child allows one to determine whether they share a positive or strained bond with their parents, and if they generally feel satisfied. When parents find the right equilibrium between discipline and rewards based on the child’s conduct, the child is more prone to behave well and less inclined to defy their parents.
Continually rewarding and praising a child in inappropriate situations can cause confusion and an inability to distinguish between right and wrong. Similarly, failing to discipline a child when needed can result in a perception that their actions are always acceptable. This idea is consistent with behaviorist theory. Additionally, if a child has positive interactions with siblings, it increases the likelihood of them displaying healthy socialization skills in other environments like school or playgroups.
Siblings who are unpopular or older and dominant can cause a child to feel insecure about making friends. Bullying, which usually occurs later in childhood, can greatly affect a child’s life. However, there may be early indications of bullying, like biting, kicking, and poking, that happen in a nursery environment.
There are two potential consequences of this situation. As the infant grows older, they may either imitate this behavior and treat other children in the same way or it may lead to them being hesitant to form relationships with others. The diet of an infant can actually impact their social development in terms of energy levels. Generally, energetic children tend to participate in active play and interact with others, while those who lack energy and feel tired may prefer to engage in quiet activities alone.
This text is related to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as it discusses the importance of having an appropriate diet. According to Netdoctor, a proper diet is crucial for preventing diseases like brittle bones (http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/brittlebones.htm). The text also mentions the Maturational Theory, which is part of the biological approach in psychology. This theory proposes that an individual’s development is mainly influenced by the aging process rather than external factors such as injury, illness, or life experiences. Arnold Gesell developed this theory and further emphasized the significance of DNA and genes.
Characteristics passed down to a child have a significant impact on their growth as they grow older. This idea is currently used in clinical settings to comprehend the development of children. To delve deeper into this topic, go to the Psychology section and choose the biological perspective. The behaviorist approach is a theory that focuses on the belief that all behavior is learned. An important aspect of this theory is the concept that each person starts with a blank slate.
According to the text, it states that everyone has the capacity to achieve any goal. The behaviorist perspective is associated with the development of PIES in infancy due to the implementation of operant conditioning. In this theory, operant conditioning involves providing rewards and punishments. For instance, if a child performs well in school, they would receive rewards such as sticker charts, sweets, or praise. On the contrary, if a child misbehaves or engages in inappropriate behavior, they should be punished, such as being placed in a naughty corner. This approach theoretically teaches the child about moral values and understanding right from wrong.
This links to the development of PIES at the infancy stage due to intellectual, social, and emotional factors. In terms of intellectual development, children are in the process of discovering right from wrong, which is taught through operant conditioning. Emotionally, they are learning about feelings of reward (likely leading to happiness and joy) and punishment (likely resulting in upset and distress). Socially, this development can aid infants in building relationships with parents, friends, as well as benefit them at pre-schools, nurseries or day centers, and schools.
If parents effectively teach their child morals, it can build a strong bond and trusted relationship between them as the child matures. Similarly, teachers in schools can also have a crucial role in teaching children moral values, although it may take time and effort to be successful. The development of adolescents is influenced by both nature and nurture, specifically regarding their physical changes that are guided by biological factors.
Sexual characteristics undergo changes influenced by genetics inherited from parents. In males, testicle and scrotum development typically begins around the age of 9, with their genitals reaching adult size at 16 or 17. Hair growth, including pubic, armpit, leg, chest, and facial hair, initiates around age 13. Generally, males experience puberty later than females and require more time to fully mature. On the other hand, females may encounter breast development as early as 8 years old.
Genetically inherited characteristics from parents can influence physical traits in individuals, such as breast size. It is not uncommon for daughters to have large breasts if their mothers do. The timing of menstruation onset varies among girls, with some experiencing it as early as age 10. Around the ages of 13-14, girls typically start growing hair in areas like the pubic region, armpits, and legs. These developments are influenced by a combination of DNA, genes, and inherited traits.
Adolescence is a stage where the body undergoes changes due to hormones released by the brain. These hormones differ between genders, with females producing estrogen and males producing testosterone. These changes are a normal part of puberty, which is a crucial period in an adolescent’s life. Educational environments like schools, colleges, or youth clubs promote physical activity and a balanced diet for adolescents.
Adolescents need to maintain a balanced diet and exercise regularly, which can be accomplished by taking advantage of school meals and participating in activities such as Physical Education classes or sports like football, rugby, or netball. Pregnancy is another physical event that affects adolescents, causing their bodies to undergo changes in order to nurture the fetus and facilitate its growth into a baby over a nine-month duration.
Taking care of one’s health and consuming proper food is connected to self-care. It is crucial to comprehend that becoming a mother is not an innate characteristic in females, but rather a decision about how to live life. The sleep patterns during teenage years may be affected by personal experiences or traumatic events. Inadequate sleep can have adverse effects on an individual’s physical capabilities as it can result in insufficient energy for daily activities, particularly for those engaged in sports.
Insufficient sleep and poor eating habits can weaken an individual’s immune system, leaving adolescents feeling fatigued, depleted, or vulnerable to illness. Consequently, this can greatly affect their everyday lives. Moreover, if an adolescent has acquired dyslexia from their parents, it can pose obstacles in their educational journey. Adolescence is a crucial phase for acquiring knowledge given the significance of exams and potential career transitions.
From birth, a child inherits traits that can impact their intellectual ability as they age. In adolescence, individuals undergo substantial growth in intellect. This period is marked by acquiring knowledge and skills, understanding society, the world, and self-discovery. The environment surrounding an adolescent plays a vital role in shaping their intellectual development.
Adolescents who have a loving and supportive family, as well as the necessary support from those around them, are more likely to excel in their studies and exams compared to those who face difficulties at home and lack support. This is because having fewer worries allows for greater dedication and focus on the important aspects of this stage of life. Additionally, during adolescence, individuals make crucial decisions about their future careers as they approach adulthood.
Role models play a role in relation to the social learning theory as adolescents’ conscious mind is engaged during this stage of life. Adolescents self-actualize by evaluating if their needs are met and determining their comfort with themselves, while also assessing if any changes are necessary for developing a more positive outlook on themselves and others. Some television programs can positively contribute to this process.
