Nursing Case Study: Cognitive and Social Development in 2-5 Year Olds

This case study examines the cognitive and social development of a 3-year-old child, Jack, who struggles to express himself verbally. The assignment delves into the application of Piaget and Erikson's developmental theories to understand and address the child's challenges. It explores cognitive development examples, such as language acquisition and toilet training, and social development examples, like interactions with peers. The study highlights factors influencing both cognitive and social development, including environmental stress, parenting styles, and cultural influences. The relevance of understanding these developmental stages for nursing and midwifery practices is emphasized, with specific examples of how nurses and midwives can utilize Piaget's stages to foster cognitive and social skills in children aged 2-5 years. The case study concludes by underscoring the importance of parental and nursing care in supporting the overall development of young children.

Case Study

Topic: Drawing a relevant nursing, midwiferies and social science literature.
Cognitive development refers to the study of psychology development of children. On
the other hand, social development is based on the emotional development (Adane, Mishra and
Tooth, 2016). It is essential for nurses and midwiferies to consider the impact of cognitive and
social development in child age between 2-5 years. The present essay is based on the case study
of 3 years Jack who is unable to express their feeling through language. This essay is consist of
two development stage approaches such as Piaget and Erikson, it helps in developing
understanding of nurser and midwiferies for handling children effectively.
2. Describing examples of cognitive development
Cognitive development refers to study of psychology and neuroscience. In this process
growth of child is monitored based on several factors such as information processing time,
language learning and understanding skill and other factors (Bavelier, Green and Seidenberg,
2013). Some examples of cognitive development are like increasing memory, thinking and
understanding skills, analysis, etc. On the basis of these comparison growth of individual is
analysed. In the present scenario, a 3 years child Jack is not able to master the toilet skills. On the
other hand children of their age group had acquired that ability. While discussing Jack's issue
with nurse, his mother come to know that with the help of informal environment Jack can get
trained in language development and speaking.
On the basis of Piaget cognitive development theory it is identified that there are series
of stages are considered for development of the child. This research is mainly focused on the
development of the children based on their learning and development rate (Bockting and
Coleman 2016). Following are the four stages:
 sensorimotor (0 to 2 years)
 pre operational (2 to 7 years)
 concrete operational (7 to 12 years)
 formal operational (12 onwards)
In the given case study age of Jack is between 2 to 7 years (Calero and et.al., 2015). Therefore,
for measuring their growth language and mental considered. It refers that physical development
of Jack is influenced by the external environment due to which his learning and thinking
affected.
3. Describing examples of social development
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Social development includes ways through which interaction of child in society and
groups take place and the type of norms that facilitates such interactions. Through social aspect,
development is possible for example, when child is able to overcome the fear that he/she has for
interacting with others (Friesen and et.al., Besley 2013). Further, by growing awareness for
social values and expectations, child is able to sense of social roles and who they are.
In accordance with the case, there are issues faced by Jack in which he has not developed
speech which is troubling his mother as other children’s of same age have mastered this skill.
There are certain set of skills that individuals develop, some may learn it quickly and some may
take time. As per The child and family health nurse, assures that Jack will be able to develop the
skill in his own time.
As per Erikson’s psychosocial theory, it focuses on development that impact on external
factors. It covers from childhood to adulthood (Hunter, O’Hara and Logan,2017). There are eight
stages through which every person pass through.
As per the case, Jack is in second stage. This is the stage were support of highly
important as child develops self-esteem and autonomy. Child may feel shame or low esteem
when they are not able to learn any type of skill. The third stage can also be considered and that
is Preschooler. The child desires to copy adults, mainly parents (Newman and Newman 2017). It
is important that proper care should be taken by parents so that Jack does not feel low esteem and
with time the issue faced can be solved effectively.
4 Factors that influence social and cognitive development
Cognitive Development: The factors that influence cognitive development in infants are
environmental stress, nutrition, genetics and stimuli (Poelker and et.al., 2016). For example, as
per scenario Jack wasn't able to master the toilet skill while other children of his age had
acquired that ability efficiently. It implies that Jack suffered with environmental stress due to
poor housing and parenting. Environmental enrichment can strongly affect a child's cognitive
development. Parents who communicate with their child frequently, tend to develop vocabulary
skills and speaking skills, For example, Jack was unable to speak efficiently because his mother
could not find enough time to communicate with Jack. Thus, parents who want to develop their
children's intellectual capacities should provide them with various toys and stimulus that aid in
increase children understanding and assist in cognitive development (Votruba-Drzal and et.al.,
2013).
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Social Development: There are various factors that influence social development in infants. Such
as the family factor, environmental factor, role of culture, role of child care schools, etc. For
example, violent and fearful culture in environment can affect and harm the psychology of
children which can lead to development of ineffective behaviour in child. Another example state
that parents who provides love and security to their child lead to development of attachments
towards family in child (Zelazo, Chandler and Crone, 2016). Children visualise their parents as
role model and applied their learnings to interact with society in effective and efficient way.
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Nursing and midwifery can use the stages given by Piaget regarding cognitive
development in child of age 2-5 years. From the case of Jack, nurses and his mother can use
these stages to develop cognitive skills in him. There are four stages that explain the process of
cognitive development as per theorist Piaget, which can be used by nurses and midwifery for
practising cognitive development in infants (Simple Psychologgy. 2017). The first stage of
sensorimotor assist in development of sensory reflection in child. Nurses and midwifery expose
their child in sight and sound that assist in development of sensory functions. The second stage
of preoperational aid in language development in child of age 2-3 year. Here nurse and
midwifery frequently communicate with infants that develops his speaking skills. The third stage
of concrete operational develop mental understanding in child of age 3-4 year. Here, nurses and
midwifery trained child to develop their mind. The last stage of cognitive development is formal
operational. This practice helps nursing and midwifery to raise mental skills of child of age 5
years and above so that they can think more about abstract concept.
Stages given by Erikson is important for nurses and midwifery practices as it enables
them to know step by step development that a child of age 2-5 years should have. From the case,
Jack is going through second stage in which they tent to develop new skills and for this they
highly depend on support of parents, family members and friends. This way, it becomes helpful
for care providers to know that developments that are to be taken place. The first three stages are
meant for social development of infant lies between 2-5 year age group (Simple Psychologgy.
2017). There high emphasis made of the development that take place on each year through
involvement of society.
From the above case study, it can be understood that cognitive and social development in
child is very essential. From the case of Jack it was identified that he needs more parental care to
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develop his cognitive skills and nursing care to improve his social skills. Factors that influenced
social and cognitive development with examples was evaluated. The relevance of the
understanding of life stages to nursing and midwifery practice was briefly explained.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Adane, A. A., Mishra, G. D., & Tooth, L. R. (2016). Maternal pre-pregnancy obesity and
childhood physical and cognitive development of children: a systematic
review. International Journal of Obesity. 40(11). 1608-1618.
Bavelier, D., Green, C. S., & Seidenberg, M. S. (2013). Cognitive development: gaming your
way out of dyslexia?. Current Biology.23(7). R282-R283.
Bockting, W., & Coleman, E. (2016). 8 Developmental Stages of the Transgender Coming-Out
Process. Principles of Transgender Medicine and Surgery. 137.
Bockting, W., & Coleman, E. (2016). 8 Developmental Stages of the Transgender Coming-Out
Process. Principles of Transgender Medicine and Surgery. 137.
Calero, C. I. and et.al., (2015). Young children are natural pedagogues. Cognitive
Development.35.65-78.
Friesen, M. D., & Besley, S. C. (2013). Teacher identity development in the first year of teacher
education: A developmental and social psychological perspective. Teaching and Teacher
Education. 36. 23-32.
Hunter, Q., O’Hara, M., & Logan, C. (2017). Family and Social Development. Counseling
LGBTQ adults throughout the life span. 16.
Newman, B. M., & Newman, P. R. (2017). Development through life: A psychosocial approach.
Cengage Learning.
Poelker, K. E. and et.al., (2016). Feeling grateful and envious: adolescents’ narratives of social
emotions in identity and social development. International Journal of Adolescence and
Youth.21(3). 289-303.
Votruba-Drzal, E. and et.al., (2013). Center-based child care and cognitive skills development:
Importance of timing and household resources. Journal of Educational
Psychology.105(3). 821.
Zelazo, P. D., Chandler, M., & Crone, E. (Eds.). (2016). Developmental social cognitive
neuroscience. Psychology Press.
Online
Simple Psychologgy. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.simplypsychology.org/piaget.html>. [Accessed on 16th September 2017].
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