Biological Factors That Affect A Childs Development Education Essay

Biological Factors That Affect A Childs Development Education Essay During the prenatal period there are many biological factors that can affect the child’s development. There are many environmental factors that can damage the fetus and interfere with a healthy development. In the early years, development focuses on fast and constant changes involving physical growth. Good nutrition becomes a key component in this area of development and we also find many motor milestones that the individual will need to achieve. Cognitive and social development will also play a fundamental role in this period and theorists like Piaget have suggested certain stages in regards to these areas. There are several areas of development that will affect the child’s overall growth and progress. We will notice that there are specific ages defined for a specific milestone to be reached. However, we must understand that every child is different and may acquire different developmental successes in different times compared to other children. The motor, sensory and perceptual skills of infants are developed as they are exposed to a wide range of experiences, with plenty of opportunity to explore and understand the world around them. Providing them with physical play where they can be laying flat on tummies or back will help them develop stronger muscles and more coordination. Sensory stimulation through touch, taste, hearing, seeing and smelling will be key in their development. Helping the infant explore and stimulate his senses will create the beginning of understanding of the world around him. Perception is gained through the sensory information the infant receives. Stimulation and a rich caring environment will help provide the necessary background and support for the infant’s motor, sensory and perceptual development. Cognitive development in the new born infant can be observed as the child becomes aware of physical sensation. He will explore with mouth, hands, and feet and begin to understand cause and effect and will begin to pro blem solve around the 7th month. One important fact to remember is that children are thinkers and they will learn by exploring and trying to understand the world around them. In the middle childhood we may find that there are many physical and neurophysiologic changes that include refining motor and perceptual skills. They are beginning to improve coordination, control, manipulation and movement. Their fine motor skills are getting much more refined and we may observe them tying their shoes, lacing and threading, writing and drawing (San Ramon, R.G.2010). All of these tremendous changes constantly occurring generate specific milestones which are a product of growth in sensory -motor, memory, skeletal and muscular maturation. Of course neurological development is supported by the environmental stimulus that they are exposed to. We will also notice that during this time period children are very active exploring their environment and learning how to control their bodies in order to ach ieve success in certain games, sports or skills. We must provide them with many opportunities to practice and master all of the skills and abilities that they are know learning. The more enriching and challenging the environment the greater the chances for learning and improving (Zembar,M.J, Blume,L.B.(2009).