Factors Affecting the Development of a Child

The emotional, mental, and physical development of the child depends greatly on his or her surroundings and the environment. Children imbibe ideas and concepts easily which makes various types of stimulations crucial, for balanced development.

This means, there are various factors at play; the four main factors that shape the child’s development are early environments and experiences, the environmental factors, biological factors, and interpersonal relationships.

Early environments and experiences

The earliest memory a child can have will be of the primary caregiver who is mostly the mother. Even before the child is born, there will be prenatal development, which is easily affected by the chemical imbalances in the mother’s body, like using certain medicated drugs or substances like alcohol and tobacco. 

Postnatal environments will include sight, touch, smell, hearing, and taste. The smell of the mother, the sound of her voice and familiarity and love are crucial. Children who are exposed to high-stress situations can experience developmental delays, emotionally, physically, and mentally. The opposite is also true; balanced family dynamics and educational gifts for kids and babies impact them development positively with the right simulations. 

Biological factors

The biological factors that impact the child’s development significantly are, gender, physical health, mental health, and health practice. The gender of the child, while in the developed countries, does not impact as much as it does in developing countries. By stating this, it had to be understood that a boy and girls develop differently. Also, family dynamics play a big role, as often, gender stereotyping is common and obvious by the choice of clothes and possibly gendered toys which can clearly emphasize the partial behaviour to the child.

Health factors, physical, mental and practices at home will also define the behaviour. Genetic traits and illnesses can be affected from a very young age, although often not diagnosed until much later. Chronic diseases and the mother’s prenatal and postnatal health directly impact the child’s development through the first few years. 

Health practices such as proper diet and nutrition, whether the child is breastfed, structured or unstructured physical activities are all vital to the child’s well-being. 

Environmental factors

The main determinants in this section are the income brackets, the housing conditions, parental employment, and educational standards. The political situation is also extremely significant in the child’s upbringing and development. The political and financial situation of the country will determine the amount of support available for the parents. For instance, support for disabilities, or any other detrimental physical or mental challenges that the household may face.

Interpersonal development

Biological and some of the environmental factors are impossible to change; however, interpersonal relationships have the power to build the child up positively, no matter the situation, although they are crucial determinants. Relationships are extremely important for a child’s development and emotional well being.

Interpersonal relations will be affected by the parenting style followed, social support networks like extended families and friends, forming positive attachments. Postpartum depression is extremely common and can affect the child and the mother’s bond detrimentally. 

Keeping these factors in mind, it is easy to see how many factors can affect the child’s upbringing. Despite challenges and obstacles, numerous children still excel in other areas of their lives.

Therapy through educational and other toys

Educational and interactive toys focus on certain types of development, through various stages of the child’s early life; whether it is for the cognitive development with the right kind of educational toys and a science kit or for gross motor skill development, children fare well in group sessions and socially interactive games and activities. 

Providing the right kind of stimulation is imperative for the balanced outlook; children from difficult and damaged homes fair well when therapy is provided through play. Unlike adults, children do not respond well to normal therapy where they are required to talk; instead, toys and props for imaginative play, art, and other mediums provide the right circumstances for them to express their fear, anger, joy and other emotions.

Therefore, when choosing the right stimulations for the child, it is crucial to consider the circumstances and environment that they are exposed to daily, but with an educational toy or science kits or interactive sessions, the child will be able to overcome negative influences at home.