Unit 1: Child and Young Person Development

When working with children and young people it is important to understand the different kinds of influences that can affect their development. Although development is often divided into different ‘headings’, it is essential to remember that these areas are interconnected and link with one another. For example developing physically and refining physical skills also affects pupils ability to become independent, socialise and grow in confidence.

1.2 Describe with examples how different aspects of development can affect one another.

There are many examples that can describe how different aspects of development can affect one another. Most of the time one aspect will lead to another, so for example, if a child has a language barrier (through a foreign language as their first one or late development of speaking) this can stop other children from playing or talking to this child, what can lead to lower their self-esteem and let him feel as an outsider, which may affect their social and behavioral development. Another example may be if a child is overweight and struggle to do PE. The other children may bully him for that, so this would leave the child feeling embarrassed which can lead to lose of confidence and then it will affect his physical, emotional and social development. Also if a child is disabled this can affect his physical, social and intellectual development. For example if a child is not able to walk, he may spend more time learning and that will positively affect his intellectual development. It may also leave him confused, not being able to understand why he is different than others, which will affect his emotional, social and behavioral development. Another example may be a new baby in the family, where the child doesn’t understand why he needs to share his mum’s attention with his new brother or sister. The child may feel let down, angry and isolated which can lead to problems in his emotional, social and behavioral development. But a new baby can also mean feeling more responsible, learning to share or taking care of another family member- building up a confidence which will effect emotional and social development.

Language Development
It is widely acknowledged that communication and intellectual development are closely related due to the importance of language and its link to learning. Children’s language develops through being talked to, listened to, praised and encouraged. It is language development that helps a child organise their thoughts and make sense of the world. If a child hasn’t developed speech yet then this could impact on their emotional and social development, which in turn could lead to a child developing poor self-image and a reluctance to participate in group activities or they may even be too embarrassed to speak to their teachers/peers. All children have a need to communicate and language is the tool that allows this

Intellectual Development
Children and young people’s intellectual development will depend to a wide extent on their own experiences and the opportunities they are given from the earliest stages as these help a child to develop thinking skills. Imagination is a part of a child’s cognitive development, children use their imagination for pretend play, to tell stories, painting and reading, model making and dressing up. It can impact on a child’s development if they are not exposed to different environments and given the opportunity to explore.

Poverty and Deprivation
Poverty and deprivation are likely to have a significant effect on a child’s development. Statistics show that children who come from deprived backgrounds are less likely to thrive and achieve at school as parents may struggle to manage their needs. Limited social opportunities may influence development, if an area has good recreational facilities in the neighborhood; children have a place to play with friends and family; these positive experiences enhance a child’s