Biological Factors Affecting Development GENOTYPE AND MATURATION DISEASE, ILLNESS AND DISABILITY

Learning Outcomes Must know the effects on PIES that genotype and maturation, disease and illness and disability can have. Could be able to explain how social and biological factors can interact to affect a child’s development

Biological Factors Children enter the world with an in built system of functions, they are primed to a certain extent due to their genetic make-up or genotype. Illness, disease, and disability all influence children’s development

Genotype and Maturation Your genotype refers to your inherited characteristics. Those things that make us biologically who we are. Maturation refers to the sequence of growth that is determined by our genes. We can only learn skills when we are maturationally ready. Children pass through the same stages of maturation in the same order.

Physical Development A child’s physical development is greatly influenced by their genotype and maturation. Both determine when a child may master certain skills: such as potty training. In potty training it may take time for the central nervous system to develop to recognise the impulses from nerves in the bladder – the child just can’t respond yet.

Intellectual Development How much of a child’s cognitive ability is inherited? The research is conflicting. The brain develops in response to stimulation and thus trebles in weight in the first year of life. But children born to intelligent parents are often also intelligent – inherited or better/more encouraging environment?

Social and Emotional Development How much of our personalities are the result of inherited factors and/or environmental experience? There are parts of the brain that are responsible for recognising emotions, and there are hormones and chemicals responsible for making us feel happy, angry, depressed etc.

Disease and Illness Disease and illness can affect children’s development in several ways depending on the severity and duration. Long term absence from school, or frequent bouts of hearing loss can make a lasting difference.

Physical Development Medical conditions can restrict physical activity (asthma, sickle cell diseases), and thus affect gross motor development. Children undergoing treatment for disease may lack the energy required to take part in physical exercise.

Intellectual Development Unwell children lack concentration, and drugs for conditions can cause drowsiness. Repeated school absence can slow learning – though home schooling can help. Children with hearing impairment or learning difficulties may be slower to learn languages

Emotional and Social Development Ill children can miss out on relationships. They may not be able to mix with other kids due to a risk of infection, or may find it difficult if they are infrequently there. Chronic sufferers may have overprotective adults, and they miss out becoming independent and affect self-esteem. Self-esteem can be low as they see themselves as being different and cannot do the same activities as the other children.

Disability Some children may have a disability as a result of an accident, birth trauma, or chromosomal abnormality. The extent to which a disability affects them will be determined by the support from parents, teachers, and early years staff. There are many diseases and disabilities but we will look at them next lesson.

Physical Development Children may be overprotected and not develop self-help skills. Some disabilities make moving difficult and thus affect proper physical development. Specialist equipment can be employed to overcome these problems. For example: a standing frame to support a child who needs more strength in their legs.

Intellectual Development Some disabilities affect the ability to learn, concentrate or use language. E.g. Down’s Syndrome and autism. Other children may find that low expectations and stereotyping mean they are not given enough opportunities and challenges.

Social and Emotional Development Discrimination is a major factor for children with disabilities. Access to the same education is a problem but there is new legislation to combat this. It also means it is harder for them to make friends, and be accepted. Bullying can greatly reduce confidence and self-esteem. Self-esteem may be low from feeling different to other children. Some disabilities affect the ability to make friendships: autistics can find it difficult to imagine others’ needs and feelings.

Activity 1. Identify two factors that can affect a child’s language development and outline how each may have an effect Select two factors: education, culture, housing, income, parenting, disability, disease, genotype. Explain how each factor can affect language (intellectual) development.

Activity 2 2. Jack has severe asthma and spends days at a time in hospital. Explain how asthma can have an impact on Jack’s personal development. Asthma is an illness/disease. How can an illness affect physical (motor skills), intellectual (cognition and language), emotional and social development?