Understanding Child Development

This assignment delves into the complexities of child development, using the case of Jack, a 2-5 year old struggling with toileting habits. It emphasizes the importance of cognitive and social development understanding for nurses to effectively assist children like Jack and their families. The analysis highlights strategies for parents and nurses to facilitate functional wellness in children, address developmental milestones, and improve psychosocial health within the family unit.

Running head: HUMAN RELATIONS AND LIFE TRANSITIONS
Human relations and life transitions
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

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This essay demonstrates important aspects of cognitive and social development occurring
in children aged between 2-5 years and factors that influence their development based upon the
case study. The cognitive development in a child of the age 2-5 years takes place when he or she
strides to think and reason and during this age group, they learn to count, identify colors and read
letters. Cognitive development in the life of a child who is aged between 2-5 years occurs in a
way where they begin to think, learn and develop problem-solving skills. Children belonging to
this age group try hard to learn and improve their skills. They try their best to observe and
interact with people around them (Newman, 2017). They are efficient in processing, storing, and
using the information. During the early childhood phase, children aged between 2-5 years
undergo physical, cognitive, emotional and social development. They try to copy other adults
and children by repeating words they hear in conversation (Rochat, 2014).
Social development plays an important role in the normal growth and development in
children in this age group of 2-5 years. It is a process through which child improves his
interaction with other children and adults those who are around them (Siegler, 2016). In this age
group, social development takes place in a manner where they gradually learn to manage feelings
and understand the meaning of friends. Social development can be defined as how a child has
developed relationships with others such as parents and friends. It begins in children at the age of
two years and the parents play an important role in the social development in children.
Developmental milestones in preschooler takes place where they learn to control their emotions
and play with others. They learn through play while interacting and sharing with others. They
can help their child in developing and strengthening language skills by several practice sessions,
developing self-esteem and having a positive attitude in life (Campbell, Conti, Heckman, Moon,
Pinto, & Pan, 2013). Parents should understand and analyze the progress of development in their

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children. Parents should encourage their children to promote their social health that would help
in improving their trust and confidence in them. As mentioned in the case study, Jack; mother,
Vanessa should read stories along with him to improve his language skills and spend more time
with him in playing and visiting the park.
Various factors play significant role in the cognitive and social development belonging to
the age group of children of 2-5 years. Children at this age try their best to observe and interact
with people around them. They are efficient in processing, and using the information. A child in
this age strengthens his or her learning skills and is able to think in a proper manner and manage
their feelings. There are several growth and development theories such as Piaget theory of
Cognitive development focuses on the fact that interaction with the environment plays a
significant role in the development of human beings. Piaget’s theory has made a significant
contribution in understanding the intellectual level and cognitive development in children
(Gottfried, 2013). In the given case study, Jack’s mother stated that he speaks less and blabber
most of the time while he tries to communicate with others. The main reason for this
developmental issue is lack of quality time between mother and son. As Jack’s mother is
working, she is unable to interact with him and guide his language learning. As a child, they infer
the intent of communication of others. Another factor that influences cognitive development is
an enriching language-learning environment. As Jack’s mother stays most of the time at work,
she is unable to interact with her child and provide him an interacting environment for the proper
cognitive development. His mother should make sure to provide a language-enriching
environment that develops his language and speech. For this, the mother should consult the nurse
conveying the same and she should spend as much time as possible for the proper development
of Jack. Erik Erikson proposed a psychoanalytic theory of psychosocial development that

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comprises eight stages starting from infancy to adulthood (Meyers, 2015). According to this
theory, an individual experiences psychosocial crisis that might inculcate positive or negative
experiences for the personality development. Among the stages, the most important stage that is
relevant to the give case scenario is the autonomy versus shame and doubt in two to three year
olds. A child starts to develop physically and mentally and start becoming independent. They
start playing with toys and make choices in what to eat, wear and love their favorite person. At
this stage, parents should encourage their children to tolerate failures and explore their abilities
in doing things. Parents should not do everything for their children as well as should not criticize
them for their mistakes and failures. In this way, they become independent, confident to survive
and feel secured. In the given case study, Jack’s mother is concerned about his toileting habits, as
she has no idea how to inculcate this habit in him. During this critical developmental stage, she is
away from his son that is affecting his psychosocial development. Therefore, Jack’s mother
should guide him properly so that he responds to the toileting sensation. Therefore, she should
consult the nurse and plan educational class where she would learn to make Jack more
responsive.
Understanding of cognitive and social development of Jack (2-5 years) is important for
nurses to gain knowledge and understand the main features of child developmental psychology.
The nursing professionals should manage children with patience and proper care. They should
assist them when they are in need so that they can share their feelings (Wilson, 2014). Healthcare
professionals and the nursing staff providing care to the children should have a responsible
attitude towards them. They should help who have learning issues and are not trained well as
compared to the other children of their age. They should provide counseling to the parents and
family members of the child that every child is unique. They should also make sure that they

4HUMAN RELATIONS AND LIFE TRANSITIONS
understand well with a patient attitude. This will help in improving psychosocial health of the
family members of the children and help them in getting well soon in less amount of time.
Strategies are required so that parents can facilitate the functional wellness of children and take
care of their mental and physical health, social interaction and day care. (Ball & Cowen, 2013).
There should be proper communication among the children and the nurses. The parents of
children belonging to this age group should be handled with patience. They should be provided
adequate training in which will help in proper growth and development. As a nurse, they know
that children are not comparable to the adults as their mind and body development occur in
different ways. In the given case study, it has been witnessed that Jack has major issues in the
cognitive and social development with poor toileting habits that has made his mother anxious.
Therefore, consulting a nurse would be helpful as they have the ability to understand child and
parent psychology and in restructuring, the environment so that there is proper meeting of the
developmental milestones required at Jack’s age.

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