Role of Environment in Child Development

An early childhood environment is many things: It’s a safe place where children are protected from the elements and are easily supervised, and it’s here the important activities of the day take place, such as playing, eating, sleeping, washing hands, and going to the bathroom. Beyond the basics, however, an environment for young children implements and supports a program’s philosophy and curriculum. Childhood is the most important phase for overall development throughout the lifespan. Part of our capacity for change and growth depends on early experiences and the interrelationships of children and parents.

Early experiences determine health, education and economic participation for the rest of life. A child’s identity develops as he or she grows. Brain and biological velveteen during the first years of life is highly influenced by an infant’s environment. Early childhood is the most intensive period of brain development during the lifespan. To reach their potential, young children need to spend time in a caring responsive environment that protects them from neglect and inappropriate disapproval and punishment.

Parents and families are the key to early child development, but need support to provide the right environment. Some families provide an atmosphere of love and acceptance. Others have a climate of instability and hostility in which love is not available to aid the children’s development. Studies show that children need love. Families that are loving and democratic not only have children who are brighter than those families which are cold and autocratic, but also tend to have children whose Sis’s increase while in school rather than decrease.

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Attention and interest leads to children with a high self esteem.

Those mothers who show affectionate warmth toward their children have children with a lower incidence of juvenile delinquency. Interest and affectionate warmth in the home are important for the growing personality. Each family is different, because the family is a system composed of unique individuals. Families can be classified as child-centered, home-centered or parent-centered. The parents in the child-centered family willingly sacrifice their needs and desires for the sake of their children. The happiness and health of their children are more important than any considerations.

Typically, in the child-centered family, a division of labor occurs in which the father specializes in maintaining economic security and in ensuring a respected place for the family in the community, the mother specializes in taking care of the children. In home centered families priority is also given to the needs of the children. The preference between the child centered and home centered families is that home centered families are not oriented toward socio-economic achievement, instead both the father and mother give priority to personal relationships among family members, emotional security and companionship are highly valued.

The family’s energy is spent on the family life, rather than the community. These two family types provides a conducive environment for a child development. Parents who spend time playing and teaching their kids through reading and by performing various types of hands-on games and activities can have a positive impact on their childish development. The childish immediate family environment shapes a sense of stability, self-worth and worldview. The best home environment for a child is one that helps meet the basic needs for health and safety.

Homes with a positive emotional climate produce children who trust others. A positive family environment provides consistency for strong childhood development. The child’s immediate family environment shapes a sense of stability, self- worth and worldview. Routines such as eating meals together as a family or going to the park on Sundays provide opportunities for family members to develop social relationships amongst themselves. Family rituals also promote a sense of belonging. Bedtime routines are associated with better sleep patterns amongst children.

Family routines may also make it easier for children to cope with stress such as parental separation or divorce. Maintaining a good environment at home for children is very important, as it is the first training a child gets before going in to the real world. For instance, a child starts learning from his/her home at the beginning stage. Although this seems to be a difficult job which needs lots of patience, struggle and time to mold the entire system. Some of the key aspects of discipline which your hill should ideally learn in the early years are Courtesy, manners and punctuality.

At home your child needs to be taught behavioral qualities, and rude behavior needs to be thwarted out. But before one concentrates his efforts on disciplining a child for misconduct, one must have a strategy, or game plan, for teaching their child how they are expected to behave. As I said patience is an important and a successful element in maintaining a good environment at home. Sometimes it will be very difficult to keep your patience, at this point take some break, there is no need to be disheartened and try again later.

To maintain a pleasant environment at home it requires a lot of concentration, persistence and hard work. If you take steps at the beginning of your child by setting out guidelines and goals you want to achieve and stick to them, your chances of maintaining a pleasant environment will be far higher. When your child stays at home all day, and you take on the dual role of teacher and parent, issues of discipline will arise. It IS easy for the child to take on a negative attitude towards understanding discipline.

Correct discipline needs to be adhered from the start of your homecomings to avoid potential faculties later on in your child’s development and learning. Discipline provides both yourself and your child with immense levels of freedom, and there will be an enticement to stretch this freedom. Certain rules and practices need to be implemented at the beginning stages of your child as it may be very difficult for you to change your child’s habits at later stage. There should be a friendly and enabling environment at home.

The members of the family should listen and have a great respect for one another. This is very important to maintain a good environment free from all countersigning and confusions among the family members. Parents’ relations play a significant role in maintaining a better environment at home. Praise is powerful. Praising your child is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. Praise is nourishment. It helps your child grow emotionally, just as food helps your child grow physically.

The reason behind giving praise is to build up self esteem, to give a belief of personal satisfaction, with the addition of feeling secure within one’s self. There is a sense of confidence that one has when one knows that someone has paid detention and has encourage them with a positive response, due to their efforts. So now knowing what praise is we take in mind how often we should praise a child and when without over saturating with praises or not giving enough praises.

Sometimes it’s best for children that parents should avoid discussing their domestic and financial matters in front of their children as some children are very sensitive and they get frustrated and tilt towards negative activities to escape from their suffocated environment. Ups and downs are part of life from which no one can escape rather it is wise to face them boldly and moieties it’s good to take your children’s views in any decision-making as this will make them feel more confident about themselves.

In this way, they will trust and feel that their parents always give them importance and they will consider themselves an integral part of the family. The bottom line is that maintaining a good environment is in the hands of sensible parents who can build a child’s career by playing and affective role so that their children should always feel at home a place where one wants to be relaxed putting aside tensions and worries of life. An ideal learning environment for young children would be established at home, as well as at school.

For example, a young child should be able to do homework in a well-lighted area that is free of distractions such as television. The right materials, such as paper, scissors, sharpened pencils, and crayons, need to be on hand for homework or projects. By having these materials ready before the work starts, will save everyone time and help keep your child focused from beginning to end. A Liberal family which has lesser number of kids will be best for children to grow up in. In my opinion, parents have the responsibility to educate their own children in their own way.

However, a liberal family will make their children grow up happily. Parents should not limit children’s thought and behavior in their own way. What they think may not be correct at all times. Children could select what they would like to learn and enjoy besides the general studying. I can’t agree with people who only want to have one child, not only because of the decrease of the birth rate, but also because their child needs someone to be with to accompany. The lecture from teachers or parents will never replace wisdom gained from siblings and peers.

Some people may argue that parents should have the domination toward heir own family; however, apparently it’s not appropriate to control one’s mind and behaviors because they are older. Children should learn how do they discipline their behaviors. Parents and the other elders could give them the suggestion, which it might be useful because they are more experienced than the younger. But, time changes. The old rules could be the best answer; however, it’s not right to deny other options that could lead them to the correct way.

Although things will be more complicated and hard, this is what they choose and they deserve to suffer or enjoy their own lives. The early learning environment is important in a child’s development. Education extends beyond traditional schooling. In fact, the first three years of life are possibly the most important to a child’s developing brain. During this time, stimulation and interaction with parents and other children is essential. Young children require a rich environment in which to interact and explore. Actively engaging all of his senses stimulates brain cells and encourages growth.

Children need to explore, experiment, and learn basic knowledge through direct experience. Indeed, childhood is a time when we earn firsthand about the physical world the feel of water, the constant pull of gravity, the stink of rotten fruit, and the abrasive feel of concrete on a bare knee. A young child can learn by touching, and if denied sources of stimulation, mental growth stagnates. The school that your child attends has a massive impact on creating and molding fundamental behavioral aspects. Children at the preschool and elementary level are building an academic foundation for their future.

The role of the teacher is critical in a child’s life. Children depend on teachers to be their confidant, colleague, model, instructor, and nurturer of educational experiences. The best learning environment for children is a child-centered, play-based one. Demonstrate to children that the space is theirs by displaying pictures of the children and their families, as well as samples of their artwork. Children learn best through hands-on activities that involve all five senses. Structure your learning environment so that children can move freely between activities at their own pace.

Play-based environments emphasize social and emotional development that enables children to excel academically, communicate effectively with teachers and peers and develop problem-solving skills. An ideal learning environment for young children is one where the students can focus on their schoolwork and their teacher and not be distracted by uncomfortable temperatures, insufficient lighting and poor classroom design. The physical learning environment should be safe, comfortable, nurturing and positive. Discipline and academic achievement should be enforced.

Schools enforced with rules and a safe environment showed increased scores academically and a reduction in discipline issues. Children learn best when offered a balance between structured and unstructured activity. During free play, children should have the freedom to whose where to play and what to play with. The learning environment serves as an invitation at all times. Make sure that all accessible materials are age- appropriate and safe, and be prepared to allow the children to use those materials as they move around in the space.

Provide enough materials so that several children can play in the same area at once. Avoid time limits during free play. Allow time each day for structured play or activities. Whether you’re following a theme or teaching about an animal or culture the children have expressed an interest in, make sure the group activity engages as many of the vive senses as possible. For example, if today is “A” day, you might bring several colors Of apples to the activity space. Talk about the colors with the children and allow each child to smell the apple.

Cut the apple and give slices from each variety to each child. Invite the children to sample the apple and describe the way if feels, smells and tastes. You might also prepare a dish using the apples from the activity, talk about the seeds and plant an apple tree. The best learning environments have well-defined spaces. If you have a long, open space through the middle of the room, you ‘re inviting children to UN, skip or hop through that space. Designate areas for reading, dramatic play, art, music and movement, science and math by using rugs, tables, screens, lofts, bookcases, furniture and nooks.

Scholastic recommends that you provide both well-lit and dimly-lit areas, informal furniture arrangements and separate spaces designated for quiet and active play. Children seek out a constant change of stimuli-scenery, textures, colors, social groups, activities, environments, sounds, and smells. As our children spend more time in our programs, the more variation and stimulation they need. Play provides a ay for children to integrate all their new experiences into their rapidly developing minds, bodies, emotions, and social skills.

Brain research supports this idea, stressing that children learn best through an integrated approach combining physical, emotional, cognitive, and social growth. Students with certain learning disabilities or other conditions that may affect learning or performance may do better in classrooms designed or altered to fit their needs. For example, in a classroom with special needs children (particularly those with attention challenges) placing desks with some space around each hill instead of arranging them into groups can reduce the distractions caused by being so close to other students.

Environmental influences can be powerful. Nurturing environments foster physical and psychological growth. Adequate stimulation and nutrition are essential for development during the first three years of life. It is during these years that a child’s brain is most sensitive to the influences of the external environment. Rapid brain development affects cognitive, social and emotional growth. Such development helps to ensure that each child reaches his or her attention and is a productive part of a rapidly changing, global society. The more stimulating the early environment, the more a child develops and learns.

Language and cognitive development are especially important during the first six months to three years of life. A child’s social environment influences their cognitive development and educational attainment. Clearly children need lots of exposure to other people in their early childhood years. Children who engage in good social relationships perform better academically than those who do not. Children living in social environments characterized by residential stability are less keel to be absent from school and perform better academically than those who do not.

The sense of belonging which individuals experiences when they have good social relationships has a positive influence on their mental health. A healthy child should engage in sports or other beneficial activities. Belonging to a group, whether it is a sporting team, book club or other organization, is a good way to meet new people and develop relationships and a sense of belonging. Groups which actively intervene in communities to improve the social environment, for example by having a cleanup day or organizing a local government petition, have been shown to be particularly effective in creating a sense of cohesion in the community.

An individual’s physical surroundings markedly influence their health. Environments characterized by poor physical surroundings (e. G. Lack of open space, lack of facilities and litter) are associated with poor health outcomes. For example, social environments characterized by quality, affordable housing are associated with reduced poverty and increased residential stability, both of which affect a child’s health and the social relationships which they form. Children who lived in cleaner neighborhoods are assessed as having better social behaviors than those living in less clean environments.

The availability of good quality educational facilities within an environment is also important. Children who have good social relationships have greater self esteem than those who do not and are less likely to experience mental health problems including depression and anxiety. There is also evidence that pro-social behavior during childhood leads to better psychological health in adulthood. The social environment may also influence a child’s health by influencing the behavior of their parents.

Researchers concluded that children rated high in seeking stimulation (nature) were more curious and open to learning from their environment (nurture) which in turn enhanced the development of their cognitive abilities and resulted in higher scores on IQ tests. Researchers conclude that genetic factors set a range for many cognitive abilities and these abilities are facilitated by a stimulating environment. The availability of job opportunities within a neighborhood or community may also affect a child’s development, by influencing their parents’ work.

Working locally means less travel time (and presumably, more time for family ointments) and associated stress. Working locally can improve parenting, relationships between parents and children and ultimately child health and development. There is also evidence that the availability of housing and employment within a neighborhood, affect levels of child maltreatment. Nutrition is very important for children. It is directly linked to all aspects of their growth and development. Introducing good nutrition into the lives of your children will help them create healthy habits for life.

Learning correct portion sizes at a young age and eating a healthy, balanced diet will help reverent your kids from being overweight as they get older. A balanced diet helps to fuel your child’s growing body and give your child the energy she needs for the day. Kids need specific vitamins and minerals to help their bodies and minds develop and mature. A healthy, balanced diet will help to create good nutrition habits in your children that they will take with them the rest of their lives. Proper nutrition allows for adequate growth throughout a child’s developmental years.

The brain, in particular, relies on regular nourishment to reach its full potential. Healthy eating habits also reduce the sis of serious disease and vitamin deficiencies, a serious concern in the developing world. The child’s nutrient needs correspond with these changes in growth rates. An infant needs more calories in relation to size than a preschooler or school-age child needs. Nutrient needs increase again as a child gets close to adolescence Young children need to feel important.

In past eras children were responsible to water the garden, do farm chores, and care for younger children. Children need to feel that what they do is meaningful to someone besides themselves. A basic human need is the need to belong. Children need to feel they belong, o. They need to be close to people they know, have familiar and comfortable objects, and be in a setting that has a personal history for them. Many challenges faced by adults, such as mental health issues, obesity, heart disease, criminality, and poor literacy and innumeracy, can be traced back to early childhood.

When children spend their early years in a less stimulating, or less emotionally and physically supportive environment, brain development is affected and leads to cognitive, social and behavioral delays. Later in life, these children will have difficulty dealing with complex situations and environments. High levels of adversity and stress during early childhood can increase the risk of stress-related disease and learning problems well into the adult years. A negative physical environment can have harmful effects on a child’s development mentally and physically.

The mistreatment of children can occur in any religious, socioeconomic or racial group. Domestic violence, drug use, social isolation and verbal abuse are factors that influence childhood development. Children who live in violent homes and witness domestic abuse can fall victim physically and emotionally. Negative relations and disputes can spoil the atmosphere of a house. Instead of a better environment the entire house plunges into chaos which not only affects the psychology of children but also makes them suffer in various complexes.

Impoverished environment can stunt growth especially in combination with severe and prolonged environmental stresses. This may produce a lasting physical and psychological failure to thrive. Research has shown children exposed to poor and underprivileged educational environments tend to be at a higher risk of being negatively affected in terms of their development. Poverty has detrimental effects on a child’s IQ and school achievement. Children facing a socioeconomic disadvantage show weak academic- readiness skills.

Teachers might also have lower expectations for children who come from a poverty situation at home. Children from lower socioeconomic lifestyles have risks in physical development as well. These children show higher rates of pre-birth complications and increased lead exposure, which affect their cognitive brain functions during childhood. Rigid learning programs that focus on accumulating skills through means such as worksheets, computers, memorization and flashcards lead to “stressed, high truing aggressive and depressed” students later on.

Work-related stress and time constraints have been shown to have negative effects on individuals and spill over into the family and affect relationships within it, including the quality of parent-child relationships. Without love physical, mental and emotional development may be retarded. Disturbed families are most likely to produce disturbed children. Abandonment affects children in individual ways with distinctive psychological effects. Abandonment can be psychological or physical. Psychological abandonment can occur when the parent stops bonding with he child or becomes mentally disabled.

Physical abandonment can be the result of death, giving the child away or ceasing to have contact with the child in the event of a divorce. The parent may abandon the child because she feels overwhelmed or incompetent or finds herself in an unwanted or unaccepted role of parenting. Abandonment is a term frequently used interchangeably with child neglect or child abuse. A child who has been abandoned may become withdrawn, angry and restless. He may fear that he will be abandoned again and develop nightmares or a fear Of sleeping alone.

He eight also cry, have feelings of guilt and question the intentions of other loved ones in his life. An older child may search for love and security elsewhere in potentially dangerous situations. The effects of abandonment may vary according to the child’s age and bond with the parent who abandoned him, but it is possible for him to carry lingering distrust and resentment into adulthood. The effect of under nutrition on young children (ages 0-8) can be devastating and enduring. It can impede behavioral and cognitive development, educability, and reproductive health, thereby undermining future work productivity.

Whether or not children are well-nourished during their first years of life can have a profound effect on their health status, as well as their ability to learn, communicate, think analytically, socialize effectively and adapt to new environments and people. Some of the developmental problems experienced by malnourished children are caused by direct physiological crippling such as retarded brain growth and low birth weight, where as other conditions are the result of limited and abnormal interaction and stimulation vital to healthy development. Unstable political environment can hamper a child’s development.