Early Childhood WIC Participation, Cognitive Development

A common, threatening event in women who are bearing children and are undernourished is the result of premature birth, which creates yet another problem among the impoverished. According to Tanner and Finn-Stevenson, premature babies are highly vulnerable to health complications because they are unable to perform biological functions such as breathing and sucking independently (2002). Also they found that premature infants process information at a slower rate and have a lower intelligence level as well as having more learning problems in school than full-term infants (Tanner and Finn-Stevenson, 2002). In one study done by Chavez, Martinez, and Yaschine in 1975 of Mexican infants in poverty, out of two groups of newborns, one group was supplemented with powdered milk, vitamins, and minerals, while the diet of the other group consisted of prolonged breastfeeding (Tanner and Finn-Stevenson, 2002). In that particular community breastfeeding was resulting in malnutrition of the infants receiving the breast milk due to the poor diets that their mothers were ingesting. The results of this test showed that after eighteen months the mothers of the supplemented infants initiated more complex interactions with their offspring than the

The preschool years which are the ages between 2 ½ years to five years old is an exciting time for children. It is during this time that they use all of the development learned during the infant and toddler stage to actively explore and engage in school. Preschoolers learn how to make their own choices, develop socially, and explore their environments. Parents and caregivers still play an important role in helping children during this time take initiative and explore their environments. Adult’s behaviors, attitudes, and styles of thinking contribute to preschooler’s

Child physical, communication and intellectual, social, emotional and behavioural development from birth to 19 years.

Psychologist Jean Piaget developed the Piaget’s theory around the late 1920’s and early 1930’s. Piaget’s theory implies that cognitive growth advances in different stages, influenced by an instinctive need to know basis. The four stages of Piaget’s theory are, sensorimotor (birth to about two years old), preoperational (average two to seven years old), concrete operational (seven to eleven years old), and formal operational stage (eleven to undetermined years old).

Michelle, R.A., (2013) The effects of maternal nutrition on fetal psychological development. International Journal of Childbirth Education.28.3:p90.

Piaget’s theory was introduced by Jean Piaget who established four periods of cognitive development. The four stages are; Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, and Formal operational. The sensorimotor is the first stage and begins when the child is born and proceeds until the age of two years. The second stage is the preoperational stage and begins with the child is two years old and continues until the child reaches six years of age. The concrete stage is the third stage and begins when the child is six years old and proceeds until the age of 11 years old. The formal operational stage is the fourth stage and

In regards to key developmental aspects of human growth in my life and as I integrate Erickson’s eight stages of development into my 48 years of life, I found that many of my transitional tasks were delayed, or not developed according to Erickson’s time frame. This might be due to the dysfunctional lifestyle, neglected childhood and promiscuous teenage years I had and it has taken me many years to develop my sense of identity, my sense of intimacy, and to change my behavior (Feldman, 2011). In the argument of Piaget he says that children at the age of three to five years think abstractly and this affects their motor

Healy, C. (2015). Who benefits most from head start programs? Chicago Policy Review (Online), Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.durhamtech.idm.oclc.org/

Early childhood. During the 1990s, the nation was inundated with reports on the importance of the early years on children's brain development and later cognitive achievement. While some of the reports may have overstated the issue and understated the importance of a child's later years on development, evidence suggests that the early years may be a critical period of development in which family poverty has particularly strong effects on young children. As seen in Table 1, poverty occurring early in a child's life (age two to four) is associated with large effects on indices of child school readiness and cognitive outcomes.

At the centre of Piaget's theory is the principle that cognitive development occurs in a series of four distinct, universal stages, each characterized by increasingly sophisticated and

The experiences and the health impact from early life is also considered a determinant of health (Marmot & Wilkinson, 2006). The health impact on early development and education can last for a lifetime. Building good health-related habits is associated with parental and peer group examples

The toddler and preschool years in a child’s life are very important and there are many programs that have been implemented to ensure a quality life. As a result, programs such as: (a) Head Start, (b) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and (c) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children all were created to adhere to children ages 1-4. First, the federal Head Start program was launched in 1965 as a part of President Johnson’s “war on poverty” (Kotch, 2013, p.152). Head Start was a national initiative to help improve the odds of an impoverished child succeeding in life. This program provides child care, parent education, and monitors children’s nutritional and emotional status. The second program implemented

The issue of child poverty needs to be emphasized since so many families are in this international turmoil. Recent studies show that children from economically disadvantaged families have lower levels of cognitive functioning, academic achievement, and social development, including health and

Jean Piaget is considered to be very influential in the field of developmental psychology. Piaget had many influences in his life which ultimately led him to create the Theory of Cognitive Development. His theory has multiple stages and components. The research done in the early 1900’s is still used today in many schools and homes. People from various cultures use his theory when it comes to child development. Although there are criticisms and alternatives to his theory, it is still largely used today around the world.

Several years ago, an insightful and profound man, Jean Piaget, established a theory of cognitive growth during childhood. This theory was viewed as a major model for understanding the intricate steps of mental development from the thinking to understanding for a child. This theory also gave rise to the mentality that cognitive processes during childhood are not minuscule versions of adults but rather an irrational yet unique process with its own rules. Even though Piaget’s theory seems quite reasonable and logical, under the light of recent speculation his theory has been widely challenged. However, Piaget’s theory holds great impact in today’s psychology.