Factors in a child’s development Essay

Family is one of the biggest external factors in a child’s development. The first three years of a child’s life are when their foundations are laid out influencing what type of a person they may grow up to be. A child who is given lots of love, attention and guidance are more likely to thrive compared to those who are ignored. At this very early age parents and siblings are the most important thing in a child’s life so everything they do can influence a child, this is when they first start to imitate other peoples actions so if a child is in a stimulating environment then they are more likely to want to continue to be stimulated when they reach school age. Friendships are also a major factor, by the age of three children start to form strong friendships. Friendships may begin to influence behavior, in a positive or sometimes a negative way. They will start to learn how to listen to other people’s opinions and also how to voice their own views. Read more:Â  Explain how children and young people’s development is influenced by a range of external factors essay It’s when children start making friends that their personalities really start to develop and they start either start to become a leader or a follower. Peers may become a big influence over their likes and dislikes. What a child eats also plays a big part in a child’s development both in a physical and mental way. Calcium, protein and fats are all essential in a child’s diet to help them grow. When a child starts school it becomes more difficult from a parents prospective to supervise what children are eating especially in children of high school age, too much sugary and fatty foods can lead to children becoming over weight and lacking in energy. It is important for schools to take an active approach in what children are allowed to eat when possible. In today’s world of high technology the media is also a big factor in how children develop. The television can be an amazing aid in a child’s development if watched in moderation. A child that spends too much time in front of a television may run an increased risk of becoming over weight and children who view violent television shows show a tendency towards an aggressive behavior. Social media is also taking a part in children’s developments as friendships are formed with people from all over the world that once would not have been accessible unfortunately it can also have negative results as children can be bullied without an adult around to help them and can lead to a very low self esteem.