Child Development Learning Intentions Explaining causes and effects

Child Development

Learning Intentions Explaining causes and effects

Success Criteria Explain how poverty can affect the development of a child

The most important stage in life Dr Harry Burns discovered that the most important stage in a child’s life is from the time they are in the womb to the age of 3. When a child is in the womb they will be affected by the choices that their mother makes – her diet and lifestyle, like if she smokes or not But they will also be affected by the levels of stress that their mother feels.

Stress When a body is stressed the hormone cortisol is released into the bloodstream This has an effect on the brain. Long term stress caused by poverty means that a person’s body development is affected. Stress means that the immune system cannot effectively deal with threats. This means that they may be more likely to suffer from illnesses – they won’t be able to go to school, and in later like they might not be able to work all of the time.

Brain Development If a child does not feel safe and secure at home, then their development will be affected. If a child is not cared for properly, if they are not given enough attention or love then their bodies will suffer from chronic stress. Their brains will be affected.

If a child does not feel safe at school, then this can affect their whole life Feeling unsafe at school due to bullying means that a child might find it difficult to concentrate in class – if they can’t get a good education then this means that they might not have the same opportunities later in life. Choose an activity from page 36