Case Study: Impact of Development on Learning in a Year 9 Student

This essay presents a case study focusing on the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of Alex, a year 9 student, from kindergarten to the present. It examines how these developments have influenced his learning and classroom outcomes, drawing upon Alex's records to trace chan...Read More

Running head: ESSAY 1
STUDENT NAME:
STUDENT ID:
TOPIC: ESSAY
DATE: 19-3-2019

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Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
Case Study: Child and situation...................................................................................................................3
Physical development..................................................................................................................................4
Physical development..............................................................................................................................4
Influence on learning...............................................................................................................................4
Implications in the classroom..................................................................................................................5
Social development.....................................................................................................................................5
Social development.................................................................................................................................5
Influence on learning...............................................................................................................................6
Implications in the classroom..................................................................................................................6
Cognitive development...............................................................................................................................6
Cognitive development...........................................................................................................................6
Influence on learning...............................................................................................................................7
Implications in the classroom..................................................................................................................7
Interactions between physical, social and cognitive development.............................................................8
Interactions.............................................................................................................................................8
Influence on learning...............................................................................................................................8
Implications in the classroom..................................................................................................................8
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................9
References.................................................................................................................................................10

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Introduction
The aim of this essay is to focus on the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of
Alex, a year 9 student. Developments in Alex have been traced and identified since his
commencement to Kindergarten till year nine, following the influences of such developments in
his learning and classroom outcomes. The essay includes a case study highlighting child
development and establishing a connection with primary and secondary researches to identify the
challenges, interactions, and implications on Alex’s learning since Kindergarten to year nine.
Several aspects and issues with child development have been emphasized by addressing the
developments observed in Alex over the years, for a better and accurate understanding of its
implications on the behaviors and learning outcomes of children in classrooms.
Case Study: Child and situation
The case study focuses on the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of Alex
since his commencement in kindergarten. Currently, Alex is in year nine. In order to assess the
changes, previous records of Alex were referred with respect to his social involvement,
friendships, emotional stability, changes in appearance, behaviors, etc. Some evident changes
have been observed in Alex over the years, especially changes in social and emotional tolerance
(Ackerman, Brown & Izard, 2004). Alex lives with his parents, a younger sibling, and leads an
otherwise normal life. No emotional issues or conflicts have been identified between him and his
family members. Since childhood, Alex has been an active participant in sports and physical
activities in school but lacked social interactions with teachers and peers. Behavioral changes
were observed when he entered the adolescent phase. Additionally, Alex’s performance in tests
and classroom activities are observed to have improved with each year, signifying that the
cognitive development of Alex is normal. Alex does not portray abnormal behaviors or unruly
attitudes, however, teachers complain of the lack of respect that he has. There have been a
number of bullying complaints against Alex, but at the same time, he is known to be a good
friend and seems to deal well with friendships and relationships in his life. The essay highlights
the physical, emotional, social and cognitive developments in Alex to understand biological and
emotional changes, changes in child-related feelings and thinking processes (Linley & Kathy,
2012). The description of the physical development, social development, cognitive and
interactions between these changes are mentioned.

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Physical development
Physical development
Physical development falls into several categories that help student interactions with the
environment and this behavior has enhanced the change in the body (Abrami, et al., 2015). Alex
is found to very active in sports, with his favorite being basketball. Due to his tall height to the
average of other students, his inclination towards sports and interest in physical activities like
wrestling is caused as a result of his physical development and improved motor skills over the
years. He has turned into a healthy young adolescent who enjoys an active (Trouilloud, Sarrazin,
Bressoux & Bois, 2006).
Influence on learning
Since commencing Kindergarten, physical developments in Alex have been observed in relation
to his active and increased participation in sports and physical activities in and outside the
classroom. Development of motor skills is observed after five years and the same is found to be
organized differently. Biological and environmental factors help in the physical development of
a child. (Drummond, Drummond, Dollman & Abery, 2010) Child genes, parent’s genes, child’s
environment, and child’s phenotype are discussed with these relations and interact dynamically
in development and learning (Ettekal & Ladd, 2015). Tracking the progress of a child’s physical
development can ensure that he/she is going on the right path, which will not create challenges in
their learning in the future. Ensuring normal physical development and addressing adolescence
issues can create the right learning environment for students, especially when they are at a stage
of entering adolescence. Normal physical development makes sure that their emotional and
social attributes also head in the normal direction.
Implications in the classroom
Physical development is a crucial topic that teachers follow while engaging in the development
process of a child. Keeping a track of the progress of a child’s physical development can help
teachers encourage participation in extra-curricular activities that can improve physical and
motor skills in children (Agarwal, Bain & Chamberlain, 2012). To identify if the child/student is
developing normally, teachers must incorporate activities that require the fine motor skills, such
as drawing a straight line, checking if the child is taking down notes, their use or grip of pencils,
and activities involving cutting, pasting and formatting of objects (e.g. origami, art, etc.).If the

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development of motor skills in children are not paid attention to, the same can lead to low self-
esteem, difficulties in learning due to lack of classroom participation, playground activities and
sports in the later stages of learning in their lives. Teachers must try and get young children to
participate in physical activities that can help them identify problems with their motor skills
(Tricot & Sweller, 2014). Encouraging a student’s physical development by assessing their
motor skills has a direct effect on their growth and their abilities to learn classrooms.
Additionally, sex education classes are encouraged to educate students about the likely biological
and environmental transformations during puberty and adolescence.
Social development
Social development
Social development is powerful and helps in establishing relationships in adolescents. It is the
ability to function in different social settings with more confidence, ease, and a developed
thought process (Bandura, 2001). Tremendous changes have been observed in Alex, since his
childhood to year nine. Alex was not socially inclined and avoided mingling with people much.
This limits his ability to react sensitively to situations. For example, he is found bullying other
students a lot and also lacks respect for teachers. He has a lot of friends, which shows that
friendships and relationships become highlight important to adolescents, as a part of their
emotional development and social skills. However, his inability to respect teachers and behave
inappropriately with peers in certain situations. Emotional development enhances feelings and
thoughts, making it easier for adolescents to deal with their feelings (Caspi, 2000). Additionally,
social skills are observed in a child as the importance of relationships is observed with the ability
to respect relations at different levels are improved (Catalano, et al., 2004). Prominent changes
were observed in Alex’s behavior since kindergarten, where he was more respectful to teachers
but found it difficult to mingle with others due to his shy nature. In comparison, Alex has grown
to be a person with a lot of friends, but with certain behavioral issues that are caused as a part of
their emotional development (Bryant, Sanders-Jackson & Smallwood, 2006). Self-esteem is
related with bullying behaviors and lack of respect shown by adolescents, indicating that Alex’s
social skills have definitely improved, however, can still be nurtured for a healthy emotional and
social development where he respects his teachers and peers more and is able to respect
friendships and relationships a lot better than he is able to currently.

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Influence on learning
The factors that influence learning are student’s background, teaching quality and high-level
instruction. These factors influence learning while addressing the social theories of development.
It is important to construct the social learning theory that engages the exposure and copying level
of a child. There are experiments that were observed to see the aggressive behavior of children
and the level of copying. A number of factors influence learning to enhance the behavior patterns
of a child while working with the directions of a teacher (McClelland & Morrison, 2003). Socio-
emotional development can enhance learning with specific criteria and addresses change in the
learning process (Croninger & Lee, 2001).
Implications in the classroom
Standardized testing
Standardized testing is a tool to measure test performances and works as a successful learning
criterion. It is easier to form a judgment and score students to develop the right classroom
instructions (Cooper, Lloyd-Reason & Wall, 2004). Alex’s score in standardized testing is 9 out
of 10.
Cognitive development
Cognitive development
Cognitive development of Alex is observed as there are certain ways of analyzing the ideas and
thinking. There is a basic fact that is understood with the development process of a child
studying in class nine.
Piaget’s theory of cognitive development
Human thinking processes keep changing from birth to death at each stage (Piaget, 1970). There
are four factors of cognitive development. They are biological maturation, social experience,
activity, and equilibration. These stages help to interact and influence the changes taking place in
one’s thought process. Maturation is the most important and influencing behavior that helps
adolescents to try and make more sense of the world and develop cognitive skills of a child
(Piaget, 1970). In Alex, a tremendous impact has been seen as a result of his cognitive
development, especially after entering the adolescent phase. As compared to his childhood, Alex

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was found more organized and logical in the way he studied and spoke. For example, he had
started volunteering in classroom discussions and actively participating in quizzes. He started
developing a deeper sense of information and a quest for knowledge, where his problem-solving
skills had improved along with the ability to ask questions and find appropriate solutions to
logical problems. By year nine, he was found to be more active and had developed a
comparatively flexible attitude in the learning environment as well as with his peers. Maturity,
increased participation, and social transmission are observed on learning and new ideas are
presented by a child (Artelt & Schneider, 2015).
Influence on learning
Building a student’s thought process helps influence their learning. There are important
applications of teaching and students are influenced by topics that can intrigue them and satisfy
their goals, thus encouraging the growth of a child. Alex’s interest in learning new things and
improve the ability to solve problems in the classroom can be related to the inspiration and
motivational learning that comes from cognitive development. Students with developed
cognition and language skills tend to ask more questions, improving their knowledge and ability
to learn more.
Implications in the classroom
Because Alex has become more comfortable with sharing and receiving information, it is
important that teachers create the right learning environment and increase exposure to activities
and topics that can develop critical thinking. Understanding a student’s thinking and assessing
their learning outcomes are important as it helps teachers express philosophies and ideas that can
motivate students to think and critically analyze the problem or situation. However, it is
important that the concepts and ideas develop new thoughts and a better understanding of student
promote an active constructivist approach (Orlando & Machado, 1996). This involves
understanding their emotional and social conditions as well, in order to analyze the critical
thoughts and understanding in a student.

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Interactions between physical, social and cognitive development
Interactions
Interactions between physical, personal, social and moral development is a personal
characteristic that is experienced by a child. The beliefs, behaviors, and identities are intrinsic
with the interaction of the physical, social and cognitive development. A framework of personal
and social development is provided with the comprehensive theory that addresses and explores
new ideas of development (Bandura, 2001). Emotional and social developments address and
determine morality in terms of self-esteem, empathy and honesty qualities in a student of ninth
grade. The eight stages of development ensure that the child becomes more aware of the risks
and skills that are required and identify those that must be avoided. The socio-cultural theory
interacts with the development and improvement in teaching. Therefore, there is a clear
interaction between the physical, cognitive and social development that ensures major influence
on learning.
Influence on learning
The factors that influence learning are quality of teaching, high-level instruction, high level of
efficacy, quality of student, etc. Due to new technology, learning behaviors are examined.
Taking care of the needs of student influences their learning abilities and outcomes (Piaget,
1970). Motivation, knowledge, and self-discipline are the basic aspects of self-regulated
learning. For social development and personal development, new ideas enhance learning aspects
and this is shaped according to the emotional competence and social competence.
Implications in the classroom
There are implications in the classroom that teachers focus on developing a psychosocial
perspective. There are ways in which students have developed active information. The basic
needs of a child are understood while examining several theories and stages of development. The
relationship is a central aspect that engages a stronger foundation of the learning process and
solves future crises (Orlando & Machado, 1996). The focus is to work on understanding
student’s behavior and tends to take initiatives of development.

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Conclusion
According to Piaget’s theory, Alex is in the concrete operational stage, where his physical,
social, emotional, and cognitive developments seem to be normal and balanced. However,
because Alex is an adolescent with reported behavioral and bullying issues against him in the
classroom, teachers must ensure proper guidance and advice for his education and training.
There is no need for any special instructions in Alex’s case. However, in order to bring more
stability to his reactions and relationships with peers and teachers, it is important to create a
positive environment that can inculcate positive attitudes and behavior in children. A negative
learning environment will have a negative effect on children’s decision-making processes. Also,
the physical attributes of Alex have helped him actively participate in sports, and thus, make
more friends and be sociable. Despite having friends, Alex’s difficulties in behaving
appropriately, with empathy and respect for peers and teachers seem to be lax and needs to be
developed under the guidance of teachers. Group exercises and teamwork can help Alex learn
how to deal with others with mutual respect. Students like Alex have immense scope for growth,
only if they have the right guidance to develop their thinking process, critical and analytical
skills. Exposing children to extra-curricular and other physical activities can help in their overall
development, especially considering the connection and interaction among physical, social, and
cognitive attributes of a child.

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