The Physical, Cognitive, Emotional and Social Developmental Aspects of a Young Child
The physical development of a young child called Marx (not his real name) is characterized by changes in the growth of the brain, excellent motor skills, and health. On the other hand, the cognitive concept of Marx entails the skills his mind uses to think, learn, read, recall, and pay attention as well as problem-solving skills. It is the cognitive skills that measure Intelligence Quotient (IQ).
Applying Piaget’s four cognitive stages during childhood development;
Sensorimotor is the initial stage from birth through the age of 2. Marx learns what goes around him via manipulation of objects and senses. In preoperational stage between the ages 2 to 7, he develops memory as well as imagination. Marx commences comprehending things symbolically. As the child advances in growth, in the Concrete Operational Stage from age 7 to 11, he begins to understand the feelings of others. The last stage which is the Formal Operational stage happens in children over the age of 11. Marx can use logic to solve problems (Nelson, 2011).
According to the Information Processing Model, the cognitive skills of Marx are based on his memory, attention, auditory growth and reasoning. At the ages of 2 to 5, he develops attention skills, short-term memory, and long-term memory. From the ages 5 to 7, Marx is in better control over attention, problem-solving skills and memory to achieve objectives or solve problems (Kuther, n.d.). He can connect ideas and advances further in reasoning. The social and emotional concept of development is characterized by disputes with siblings over toys. It helps the child develop his idea of fairness and justice. Marx can respond to moral offense with empathy, retaliation, and emotions.
The child’s development encompasses an interaction of both nature and nurture. The environment contributes to the development of the young child significantly. The atmosphere in which the child grows and the relationship of the parents with the neighbors affects his behavior. Also, if Marx lives in an overcrowded environment, it can impact his behavior negatively. The environment shapes the child and who he will become. On the other hand, the genetic predisposition of the child sets out a roadmap for development and genetic interaction. It includes the physical growth regarding height and his rate of growth that is closely linked to that of the parents. In the case of growth hormone deficiency, the growth of the child is slow.
References
Kuther. (n.d.). Physical " Cognitive development in Early Childhood. Retrieved from http://edge.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/07_KUTHER.pdf
Nelson, C. (2011). Neural development " lifelong Plasticity. Nature " Nurture in Early Childhood Development, 45-69.
