Human Development and Life Transition: Cognitive and Social Aspects

This essay delves into the multifaceted realm of human development and life transitions, examining the crucial interplay between cognitive and social growth. It begins by defining human development as a process of knowledge enhancement and capability expansion, and life transition as a piv...Read More

Running head: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND LIFE TRANSITION
Human Development and Life Transition
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND LIFE TRANSITION
Human Development is the process of people’s evolution through enhancement of
knowledge, expansion of their capabilities through wide array of choices along with the increase
in freedom through fulfillment of human rights. Life transition is usually the life changing event
which causes people to take a closer look into the present state of being and move ahead towards
becoming a transformed individual for bringing in the desired changes. The purpose of the essay
is to consider some of the important aspects of cognitive and social development, the factors
influencing cognitive and social development, finally look into the nursing practices followed for
children between the age of 2-5 years by understanding the requirements. In the case study, Jack
is 3 years old, having speech problems and not toilet trained. The essay concludes that proper
care and nurture from parents is essential for the growth and development of children. The
importance of connecting with children of similar age group should be stressed upon for
allowing them to communicate and avoid any speech problem (Barac et.al., 2015).
Piaget refers to the cognitive development which occurs between ages 2 and 5, as
the preoperational stage. In this stage, children increase their use of language and other symbols,
their imitations of adult behaviors, and their play. He had also mentioned in this stage, the things
which children are unable to do. By this he meant, reversible abilities of children through which
they are able to add and subtract with the same set numbers, hence go back and forth. Cognitive
development plays a crucial role in the overall development of a child. Cognition is nothing but
the way people think, listen to others, learn and remember. In the case study, Jack is struggling
with his speech, only speaking one or two words (Halle et.al., 2014). As far as the normative
cognitive development is concerned, during these years, children identify different letters, colors
and get into the habit of counting. When children attain the age between 2 and 5 years, they
gradually understand what feelings are all about and the importance they carry in one’s life.

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Generally 2 year olds can speak on an average about 50 words, whereas by the time children
attain the age of 5, they may be aware of sufficient number of words through which they can
converse on a regular basis and even share different stories, which capture their attention and
create interest.
Erikson’s stage of social development for 2-5 year olds, reveals that children learn to be
self-sufficient with regard to toileting, dressing and feeding. They can relate and interact with
peers, whereas in the case study, Jack is lagging behind, as he is not yet toilet trained and blabber
only one or two word sentences. Over the course of this phase, children tend to broaden their
skills through play, explore and thereby engage, participate and cooperate with others. Role of
parenting or peers is extremely critical for social development. Social development for children
will be ideal when they take place through the guidance of parents and peer groups (Hammer
et.al., 2014). Children aged within 2-5 years become more aware and have the ability to relate
effectively with regard to social as well as emotional connect. When children are able to develop
a level of understanding, express their emotions and slowly go ahead in understanding the
emotions of others, they attain the skills which help them connect with family, peers and
teachers. The increase in capacities of young children increase their competencies in
understanding the importance of social interactions, help them to participate effectively in
relationships and group activities, which ultimately makes way for seizing the benefits of social
support, critical for greater human development and functioning.
Providing care and support to the children aged between 2-5 years help them to get their
emotions regulated, creates a sense of predictability, safety and responsiveness in the social
environment (Hoffnung et.al., 2015). Well recognized faces would easily make children respond
quicker to the instructions imparted for developing certain skills within them. In the given

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scenario, Jack has been admitted to day care, attending 10 hours in a week, is still unable to
speak clearly and carry out the activities which children of his age can do pretty well. Stable and
consistent relationships developed through mothers and relevant people, who the children would
be able to relate with, do wonders to the confidence of the children and help in the rapid growth
and development. Company of known people and being in the environment, where Jack had
spent the first 3 years of his life, would have given him a sense of belonging and helped him to
grasp the learnings imparted by family members in a comprehensive manner. The more, children
will be at ease when they are surrounded by known people.
The environment and culture play significant roles to influence social and cognitive
development among children. When children of same age groups mix with one another, they get
influenced very easily, as they can connect to the peer groups much better than they would, with
any other individual or group of individuals (Sansavini et.al., 2014). Vygotsky opined that
language plays a major role in shaping thought. He claimed that cognitive skills originate from
social relations and culture. Jack struggles with his speech and thus face problems in
communicating with children of his age group, which has become a major concern for his mother
Vanessa. This has a major impact on their overall growth and development as constant
communication with like-minded people would allow them to gather knowledge and
understanding of various aspects of life, also improve their ability to interact freely. Parents have
different ways of conducting themselves in front of their children. They tackle different
situations to the best of their abilities by following set patterns and cultures. Cultures refer to the
type of behaviors one exhibits based on certain beliefs and traditions. Upbringing of children
play significant roles in moulding them to behave in specific manners according to culture,

4HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND LIFE TRANSITION
traditions and values. The teachings imparted by parents help them to gain consciousness, learn
new things and pave the way for an overall social and cognitive development.
Nursing practice should be moulded as per the age requirements of children. Children
aged 10-12 years, would require separate practices, which should be followed by nurses as
compared to the practices which should be followed for the age group of 2-5 years. Jack is 3
years old, who would require special care and attention to arrest certain issues, that are giving
trouble, not only to Jack but also to his mother, Vanessa. Proper planning regarding the health of
the children, measuring weights on a regular basis, through which the diet plans should be made.
Erikson’s theory is directly related to the nursing care of children (Winsler et.al.,2014). Health
maintenance visits in the community, provide opportunities to nurses to meet the children’s
needs. On the other hand, Piaget’s theory is essential to pediatric nursing. He puts stress on the
fact that the nurse must understand a child’s thought process, in order to design meaningful and
stimulating and appropriate teaching plans.
The report concludes that human development and life transition play crucial roles for
enhancing the well being of people. The case study referred to Jack, who is 3 years old but
unable to speak with clarity and also not well trained in toilet. To bring about the much needed
development in human beings and life transition, proper care and nurture from parents is of
utmost importance. Social and cognitive development can take place only when children get the
desired guidance and made to understand the importance of connecting with children of their age
through communication.

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References
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Buysse, V. (2014). The social–emotional development of dual language learners:
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Hammer, C. S., Hoff, E., Uchikoshi, Y., Gillanders, C., Castro, D. C., & Sandilos, L. E. (2014).
The language and literacy development of young dual language learners: A critical
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Hoffnung, Michele, et al. Lifespan development (3rd Australasian ed.), John Wiley & Sons,
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Sansavini, A., Pentimonti, J., Justice, L., Guarini, A., Savini, S., Alessandroni, R., & Faldella, G.
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