Child Development: Perspectives, Family, and Intervention Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of child development, encompassing theoretical perspectives on intellectual, emotional, and social growth. It explores the crucial role of families in diverse cultural settings, highlighting the impact of nutrition, environment, and parental attitudes. The report also examines the importance of socialization, language barriers, and the influence of poverty and societal norms. It further delves into intervention strategies, government regulations, and the application of psychological theories like Skinner's operant conditioning. The report emphasizes the need for holistic development, considering various factors that affect a child's well-being, including the impact of family structure, cultural traditions, and the importance of education and social skills. It also touches on the role of government and legal frameworks like the Children Act 1989 and the need for tailored approaches to support children's growth and development.

Caring for children, young people and
families

Children are considered as the future of this world. Their development is directly
connected to the well-being of society. Their are many children in African and Asian countries
who does not get necessary amount of nutrition. This result in the problem of malnutrition. Their
physical growth get suffer due to this problem and it also make a negative impact on their
immune system. This report will discuss about theoretical perspectives intellectual emotional and
social child development. Responsibility of family in cultural diversity setting will also become
part of this file. Evaluation of intervention relating to specified client group will get cover under
this file.
A person can look heath from the outside but their medical check up can tell the right
status of their body. This problem is also emerging in some developed and developing nations,
youth does not want to eat much because they think that it will increase their weight. In order to
get good shape, they are bringing weakness in their immune system (Haley, 2013). Some
children does not get a good childhood, this can be considered as the prime factor that in young
age they get emotionally weak. They fail to cope up with pressure and hard time. If a person is
intellectually weak that things get very hard for him/her in life. Most of the development of brain
happens at young age specially at the age of below five. If they does not get right amount of
pamper and caring in this period then they face different kind of problem like failing to control
emotions, impatient, etc. at the time of growing up. One can easily find lot of cases relating to
social child development. A child who does not get right advice and proper guidance generally
face the troubles like hesitation in talking to strangers, public speaking etc. Their are many factor
which make either positive or negative impact on the development of children. First one is
background of the family where they are born and brought up. If a child get support of his/her
parents and other members of the family then they do not see any major issue in their social and
emotional development (Hall, 2011). But in present era, the culture of joint family has
disappeared and both, mother and father, work for 8-10 hours. They fail to give essential and
important time to the child and it make a negative affect on their mental and intellectual status.
The attitude of parents also get reflected in their children, if father and mother are extrovert then
their offspring also become like them. A child spent most of his/her time with parents, if they do
proper caring then kids do not fave much issues in their life but if their family background is not
good then it restrict their physical as well as intellectual growth. The environment in which
minor live have capacity to influence their nurturing. Mental status of child living in Syria can
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never match with a kid who is living in USA. If young people see weapons and scarcity of food
then it make a negative affect on their development. They does not get a change to identify and
hone their skills. A child who live in an environment which is full of culture diversity may see
better growth compare to kid who spend most of his/her time with same time of people. The
environment where a child get born and brought up is basically part of their family. In order to
talk with new and different type of people, young people need good social skills. Importance of
socialisation is enhancing in this era because various factor like globalisation, advancement in
technology (Ungar, 2011). Their are many companies who want to increase diversity in their
organisation. This world is understanding the significance of diversified culture and most of the
parents want their children to learn different types of traditions and systems which is present in
various nations. Language barriers is an important factor that can result in negative growth of a
child. Their are many children who are dependent on their poor family. They do not get proper
food and other nutrition. The trouble of poverty is the prime reason for extra stress which they
face at an early age. Their are many countries who still have a culture of child marriage, these of
kind of things do not support the mental and physical growth of a child.
The house where a child live is connected to his/her development. If he/she get proper
area for playing and do not face the problem of overcrowding then can see positive social and
emotional growth. The income of family is another factor, if parents are rich then they can easily
fulfil all the demand of kids but if their income is less then they may cope up with different kind
of problems like fail to provide good medial service etc. If the environment, in which kid is
growing up, have high rate unemployment rate then young people may feel some extra pressure
(Reed,Bell and Edwards, 2011). At the time of getting education, this trouble will always remain
in their mind and it will make a negative influence on their development. According to B.F.
Skinner, consequences are the main element which decide behaviour of an individual. If a person
know that he will get punished for doing a particular task then he will never do it. Parents try to
teach right and wrong to the children but when they enter into real world they find that things are
very different. Skinner argued that studying mental process cannot help in determining the
behaviour of a child, people need to use scientific approachers of psychology for accomplishing
this work. His theory of operant conditioning states that by reinforcing stimulus results one can
repeat the behaviour of a kid in future. If they are taught to say “hello” to every stranger at young
age then they will always greet people with this word. Intellectual and emotional elements do not
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play significant role in developing social skills (Harnett and Dawe, 2012). A strong learning
environment is essential for growth of children, if children does not get quality eduction at early
stage of their life then it impact their physical and intellectual growth. Parents play significant
role in child caring and they should focus on this issue. The trend of single parent is enhancing in
this era, a large segment of people want to adopt a child. But they should also see other side of
adoption of children. Their want a time when women worked at home and men go for job in
order to earn some money. In that era, growth of children was proper because mother could give
proper time for their nurturing. This trend is now gone and generally, both parents go for jobs. It
is difficult to understand that why people are promoting the idea of single parenting. Adopting a
child is one things and caring them is completely different. A kid need his/her family most in
young age. Nanny can not give the same amount of pamper which mother and father of a child
can give to him/her. If a family has members from different culture then a minor can easily learn
various type of knowledge. They can learn to speak and understand more then one language in
young age (Zebrack and Isaacson, 2012). Individuality has its own benefit while on the other
hand interdependence has its own advantages. A child who get the prior cultural environment
generally have qualities like self reliance and less dependence on other at the time decision
making. The later one develop develop loyal personality in the a child. Generally the minor who
live in joint family are extrovert. They also have good public speaking skills and their knowledge
about outer world is also better then others. Some people argue that Asian countries are
registering string economic growth because the basic values like loyalty, support family etc. are
still present in children who re living their. The cultural of living in joint families is still present
in this region and parents do ask their kids to stand on their own feet after the age of 21
(Parenting Resources for Raising Caring, Ethical Children, 2017). Tradition make a huge impact
on the development of a child. If a family passed down their values and believes in their
upcoming generation that they intellectual and emotional growth happen in a different way.
Young people learn most of the things from society in which they live but traditional values are
some things that make different image of a person. If a family has norms then it will get reflect in
the dressing sense, talking and acting of a kid. Learning rules, language and expectation of
society it significant for young people. In early age, a child basically meet family members.
Children learning new things through imitation. Whatever they see or hear at this stage of their
life will become part of their personality. They may leave it when they live in some different
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culture but until then it will remain part of their character. Socialisation is important for growth
of a child. It he,she will get mix with other people who are from different culture then it will be
good for him/her in terms of intellectuality. At the age of 5-6, children are present in final stage
of their development. Their interest in sports and other group activities increases in this period
and it is significant for socialisation process. The basic things eating, talking, walking etc. can be
considered as the main important of socialisation. If a kid do not have these necessary life skills
then he/she will face various kind of emotional and social issue in young age. For a children, it is
important to understand the values and norms of the culture because it assist them in finding the
expectation which society have from them. If a kid live in isolated area and does not make much
contact with the people living near to him/her then it will make an unfavourable influence on
his/her communication and other soft skills. Cognitive development is essential part of a minor's
life. Thinking, perceiving, reasoning etc. are its significant part. A child can learn maths and
other subjects from the books but they have to implement its learning in the society where he,she
live. Socialisation support young people in developing various abilities which make them
employable and increase their intellectual power. Children act 1989 has many rules which
focuses on the health care of disabled child who are under the age of 3. Framework for the
assessment of children in need and their family focuses in development of a child so he/she can
attain some achievement in their life (Wilson and Prior, 2011). Normally parents focus on
developing one or two types of skills in the personality of their child. They ignore holistic
development which is related to complete growth of a kid, it includes intellectual, emotional as
well as physical improvement. In general case, society treat all the children in similar manner.
Children and young people's plan regulation 2005 focuses on various important issues. Every
child is different so they should be treated in a manner which is suitable for them. This will result
better development of a kid because he,she can work on the skills which is missing in their
personality. Government have made different kind of rules for the development of children. In
early age, they need special attention of the parents. The maternity leave is one of the popular
norm which force companies to allow leaves to a mother so she can give proper time to their
offspring. Earlier men did not allow to take this type of leave but now because of government
regulation, a father can go on leave when the child is small. Piaget's mention four stages of
intellectual development, first is sensorimotor (18-24 months). In this stage a child try to
discover the relationship between their body and environment. Next stage is pre-operational (up
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to 7) where child learn sign language and fail to use logics and separate ideas. Third stage is
Concrete operational (7-11), in this step child develop rational and organised thinking. The last
stage is Formal operational (adolescence to childhood), in this stage abstract thoughts comes in
the mind of a child, hypothetical reason also get develop in their personality. According to
Bowlby's, when a child come in this world they are already attached to other because it help
them in surviving. Up-to the age of 6, a kid need special support of parents. Local government
also make different type of rules in order to improve the environment where a child live. They
are focusing on issue like cultural diversity. Holistic development is essential part of every
children's life because it is related to their whole personality growth. A kid can be good in one
thing like studies but may not have offer talent like good communication skills. Holistic
development can find these areas, the improvement needs of every child is different from each
other so their caring should also be done accordingly.
Different people in various part of this world are trying to promote the issue of child
caring. Global child development group (GCDG) is one of them. They organise programmes and
analyse the risk factor which may harm the growth of a kid. Currently they are active in West
Indies but they should enhance their reach. These type of institution do not have an aggressive
approach, they consider themselves as a NGO and people who work in these organisation do not
work hard compared to a person who work in private company. Although GCDG has done some
impressive job last several years. They have done a collaboration with Sackler Institute of
Nutrition science who will support them in various research activity. Both of them will try to
find the solution of different issues like malnutrition and food time which can be given to
children for their overall growth (Sapienza and Masten, 2011). This group firmly believe that if a
kid get essential pampering in early childhood then it will support them in their whole life. They
organise an event where around thirty experts plans for publishing research paper relating to this
matter. ACEI is another popular community who share experience and knowledge in order to
resolve various issues relating to development of a child. They basically focus on two areas, first
is eduction and growth of a kid from his/her birth to the phase of early adolescence. Presently
their main focus is on developing nation but they should also work for very poor countries
because in these nation children does not get basic facilities like food. Educating time is
secondary thing, first focus should be maintained on improving their health (Clever and Segal,
2013). Presently they are concentrating on developing a continuous learning environment, they
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are expanding their diplomatic ties so they can transform today's education system and make it
better for the future. This group believe the well being of human being can only be done by
improving the learning environment. If single parent is taking care of child then it can provide
some positive affects or some depend on their personality or their parenting techniques. This
type of child is much closed to their parent. They have high responsibility abilities and can
understand things more better way. Rather than this, children who adopt by some parents can
give negative affect when they are growing. Like, they will get insecure as they want to know
about their own parents or blood relation. They will feel that their biological parents are not
taking care of them in good way. Therefore, sometimes it will be typical for them to accept their
parents. Background of child can also affect of life of children. For example, if there parents are
divorcee or living separately then, this will cater adverse effect on their mind. Such as lack of
social skills, they will get bad habits like smoking, drinking. They will get depressed or do not
have self esteem as well. They get assistance from various laws like right to education.
Government of different nation has already passed this act specially in developing nations. They
are providing free education to the children, some of the countries are also giving food to young
students so they can attend classes regularly. Uneducated children does not know the importance
of the studies they need a motivation like free food. Besides these policy, government also made
a rule where every child should get basic education (Utting, 2012). Private schools also have to
make their contribution by allotting some seats to needy students. Schooling is free in many
countries so parents and other society members cannot make an excuse that they are not sending
their kid to school because they do not have money. Government of UK took an important step
that they are going to make an action plan for reducing obesity on the children on England. This
is a new type of problems, kids in developed nation do not face issues relating to poverty or
hunger. They have their own troubles and obesity is one of them. In 2015, government allotted
109 million pounds to for the music and arts initiative. They understand that extra curriculum
activities are significant part in development of a child. This decision by governing body will
provide chance to develop for more pupils (Alderson and Morrow, 2011). Most of the people
may not give importance to these small assistance but they should analyse that their impact is
vast. If a kid will face health issues like problem of obesity then he/she cannot maintain his/her
focus on education. This will also make a negative impact on their emotional and mental status.
Public health England believe in providing good start in the life of a child, childhood experiences
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are important for a person because in this stage their learning capability is high and they are very
creative. UNCRC is an agreement which deals with various issues like political, economical,
cultural etc. rights of every child. They do not care about race or religion, their prime objective is
to improve the life of children. This convention has 54 articles and all the members countries has
to follow the rules which comes under UNCRC. They force government to fulfil the basic need
of every child and focus on expanding their potential (Jenson and Fraser, 2011). The have
mentioned some rights which are relating to violence, abuse, relationship with parents etc.
Besides these they are also concerned about matter like expression of opinions, education etc.
Some countries had regulation that a child must get army training at the time of their schooling.
In 2000, UNCRC made to optional protocol. Early intervention describes that do things as soon
as achievable so that development, support and health requirements will provide to child. This
sort of services provide assistance to both child and in addition their families in begin years.
There are many sort of it which includes some therapy occupational, speech, physiotherapy. It is
must to teach child how to talk, eat and drink. Along with this, it is required to teach children
how to do self help. If early intervention is not done then, it will prohibit their development and
growth. At growing age they never respect other and do not possess manners. Along with this,
they never speak appropriately. One is related to forcing an under 18 child to join army and other
prohibits child prostitution and slavery. Organisation like ''Save the children'' are NGOs who
help UNCRC in their work. They basically work in developing countries because the some
children are getting quality life in these nation but other are suffering from hunger and other
health issues (Moss, 2011). This is happening because of increasing difference in the income
level of rich and poor people. In the end, it can be concluded that focusing on child care is
essential for this world. A large number of children do not get basic facilitates and they have to
cope up with issues related to physical health. Problems of kids in developed and developing
nation are very different. Minors in Asian and African countries has to deal with pressure of
poverty. It impact their intellectual and emotional growth. On the other hand, Developed nations
like UK face issues like obesity. Family background and environment in which a child grow
make a huge impact on the development of minors. Cultural diversity is another issue which is
getting popularity in this era. Importance of socialisation has increased in this era. Organisation
like UNCRC are working on various issues relating to the growth of children.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Alderson, P. and Morrow, V., 2011. The ethics of research with children and young people: A
practical handbook. Sage Publications Ltd.
Clever, M. and Segal, D.R., 2013. The demographics of military children and families. The
Future of Children. 23(2). pp.13-39.
Haley, J., 2013. Leaving home: The therapy of disturbed young people. Routledge.
Hall, L.K., 2011. The importance of understanding military culture. Social work in health care.
50(1). pp.4-18.
Harnett, P.H. and Dawe, S., 2012. The contribution of mindfulness‐based therapies for children
and families and proposed conceptual integration. Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
17(4). pp.195-208.
Jenson, J.M. and Fraser, M.W. Eds., 2011. Social policy for children and families: A risk and
resilience perspective. Sage.
Moss, P., 2011. Social pedagogy and working with children and young people: Where care and
education meet. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Reed, S.C., Bell, J.F. and Edwards, T.C., 2011. Adolescent well-being in Washington state
military families. American journal of public health. 101(9). pp.1676-1682.
Sapienza, J.K. and Masten, A.S., 2011. Understanding and promoting resilience in children and
youth. Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 24(4). pp.267-273.
Ungar, M., 2011. Community resilience for youth and families: Facilitative physical and social
capital in contexts of adversity. Children and Youth Services Review. 33(9). pp.1742-
1748.
Utting, D., 2012. Support from the Start: working with children and their families to reduce the
risks of crime and antisocial behaviour. Journal of Children's Services. 7(1).
Wilson, K.R. and Prior, M.R., 2011. Father involvement and child well‐being. Journal of
paediatrics and child health. 47(7). pp.405-407.
Zebrack, B. and Isaacson, S., 2012. Psychosocial care of adolescent and young adult patients
with cancer and survivors. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 30(11). pp.1221-1226.
Online
Parenting Resources for Raising Caring, Ethical Children. 2017. [Online]. Available
through:<https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/parenting-resources-raising-caring-ethical-children>.
[Accessed on 18th October 2017].
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