A look at Family Stability and Childhood Development
In the past, scientists perceived the human brain as a rigid and predictable organ. According to them, based on a person's genetics, the brain developed in a predetermined way, endowing an individual with a level of learning capabilities and baseline intelligence (Stromberg). However, neuroscientists are beginning the recognize the brain as a responsive, constantly evolving organ that can change on several levels due to environmental influences and experiences (Stromberg). A series of studies have emphasized that although the brain can change for the better, it can also change for the worse. A child's brain is especially vulnerable to such effects - and this research has shown that growing up in difficult circumstances can cause damage to a child's cognitive skills that last a lifetime. Without a doubt, family stability holds the greatest impact on a child due to the developmental outcomes and academic failure it ensues.
A stable family provides a nurturing relationship between parent and child, which is essential for a child to continue movement along positive pathways in development. From the moment of conception to the initial steps into a classroom, early childhood development takes place at an alarming rate (Relationships). Consequently, raising a child is one of the most difficult yet important tasks for parents. The relationship parents build with their children shapes the way the child sees the world and affects
Moreover, the children’s key carers must provide positive environments for their children so that they can learn from their own experiences. If the children receive this then their individual needs will be catered for, they will develop amiably and they will form a strong attachment with their key carers. However, if they don’t provide this for their children, then they will lack confidence and will show this insecurity through their behaviour. Consequently, they will not have positive holistic development.
Socially and Emotionally the family is a big influence in a child’s development. Parents have a big role by providing care and guidance for their development. Unfortunately some families cannot promote the development of a child because of the conflict among the parents. A single parent can have difficulties in boosting a better development in children and young people, sometimes a child is separated from its siblings and this can affect them too.
Family stability can be described in many ways. Traditionally it is defined in terms family structure (for example, single parenthood, extended families, working families, foster care etc) Exploring the various family processes that pertain to stability may be a useful means of understanding the specific characteristics of family stability that support healthy child development. For example,
The relationship between parents and their children is constantly adapting, beginning at birth. At birth is the point when the strongest attachment bonds form and parents strive to meet their baby’s every need.
When babies and young children feel valued, secure and trust the people around them, they are more likely to thrive and achieve their developmental goals. Certain areas of development are linked to the strength of attachment that children have with those around them, especially emotional and language development. We also know that children learn from those they have a strong bond with and so cognitive development can also be linked to strong relationships. This is of course equally true with their primary carer, for example their parents, as well as with their key person in their setting.
Children become aware that their feelings and desires are essential and must be accounted for. Growing up in a supportive environment enables children to form open and trusting relationships with their parents. However, sometimes parents fail to meet emotional or physical needs of their children. Through the failure of meeting the child’s need, eventually, leads to a more dysfunctional relationship.
However, to understand the impact of adversity on young children’s development and learning, our genes supply the basic blueprint for brain development. “Thus, toxic stress in early childhood not only is a risk factor for later risky behavior but also can be a direct source of biological injury or disruption that may have lifelong consequences independent of whatever circumstances might follow later in life (Shonoff and Garner, 2012, page 238). Poverty, neglect, or family stress can make it especially difficult for young children to develop the self-discipline and habits of mind they will need to succeed in the classroom and beyond. Researchers have found that chronic, sustained stress, such as that caused by neglect, abuse, or deprivation,
Family is of great importance to having a functional or dysfunctional development; it will help or impede the child to have a support system in place.
A healthy relationship between an infant and their mother or primary caregiver is responsible for shaping the child’s
Although secure attachment during infancy is the foundation for continued healthy positive development during the lifespan, it is important to understand that other factors can have a significant effect on development later in life (i.e. illness, loss, and trauma). However, research has shown the importance of consistent care giving that is responsive and nurturing and the caregivers’ ability to effectively accommodate more difficult temperament characteristics ,as well as other factors, influence the development of healthy attachment{{64 Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marian 2003}}. Research has also shown that infancy and early childhood is the period of development where scaffolding begins and continues (Vygotsky, 1978; Zhao & Orey,1999).
Caregivers play a primary role in how a child may develop. The daily interaction between the caregiver and child continually changes the pathway in which the child may take. How the child is raised and the parenting style used is a significant influence on that development by affecting the relationship between parent and child. This supports the Attachment theory in which emphasizes relationship between the child and caregiver as a key factor in development.
During the years, single parent families have become a more common thing. This is starting to become a problem, because family dynamics can really influence a child’s life. According to studies it affects not only the child but the parents too.
Throughout history a one-parent household has been deemed as a nontraditional family, but in today’s society it seems more and more common with every day. Although the reason and causes vary, each year the number of children raised by a single parent increases. Most people don’t seem to realize how much this can change a child’s future. The impact of childhood experiences simply set the disposition of adulthood and the rest of their lives. There is not one sole factor that affects child development, but one very important one is the role and relationship created with one’s parents. How a child is parented and raised leaves a lasting impression on them, commonly for a
In the early stages of a child’s character development, the family is the first social group that the child has. The relationship that is fostered between the family and the child is important, because it is the role of the family that influences the child’s behavior. Although the child may be influenced by the father and siblings, these relationships are looked to second. The child realizes early that the family belongs to him. This leads to jealousy towards other siblings because he may strive to be significant, and establish a position of superiority. Once the child comes to trust the family, it no longer feels threatened. By fostering a good relationship with the family, the child develops trust which leads to the child developing
Their findings indicated that when the emotional needs and security of a spouse is met they can better tend to the needs of the child or adolescents. Thus, the value of grounded relationships must be examined when looking at parenting styles as it is apparent to the quality of development in adolescents.