Child Development (Term Paper Sample)

Child Development
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Child Development
The influence that families have on the development of infants and young children
The crucial part of human development is the infancy and early childhood. Development is crucial during this stage because it forms the initial stages that a child requires building a foundation for the future learning of the child. However, there are certain elements that act as a hindrance to effective development during childhood and early development. Such include the family that one is from and the parenting styles. Some parenting styles are usually effective than others. The role of families plays a crucial part in the development during infancy and early childhood. The family acts as the initial element of development in a child’s life than any other period in life. The fact that a child spends a lot of time with family more than any other party forms the basic element of development (Benson & Haith, 2009).
Consequently, children develop better if their families are attentive, sensitive, and responsive. It remains the role of a family to provide reassuring touch, warmth, facial expressions, movement, and overheard conversations that help to improve speech by young children during infancy and early childhood. It is true to state that families are the first parties to teach infants and young children which enhance development during infancy and early childhood. The relationship that exists between young children and their families is a crucial determinant of how young children develop. If the relationship that bound the children and their families is corrupted, then the development of children in such a scenario remains ineffective. Children usually emulate what the people around do because, with their innocent minds, they think that is how things ought to be done. This early relationship thus helps the infants to develop a working model and a frame of assumptions learned from their families that act as their set of references (Arthur, Beecher, Dockett & Farmer, 2015).
Various identifiable Parenting styles and how they affect the development of children during infancy and early childhood
Authoritarian Parenting
In this style of parenting, the parent’s word forms the law and it is not subject to questioning. A child’s misconduct in such a case is prone to bringing stringent punishment normally physical. Parents set rules that are clear and held to high standards, and children are expected to follow without providing their opinions regarding the rules. These parents are not fond of holding discussions with their children because they consider themselves as having complete authority over their children. Even if they love their children, they do not show this affection. The influence of this on development is that the children are taught to stay out of trouble because this parenting does not tolerance breaking rules. Nevertheless, these children can have their social development negatively affected because they are not taught about providing their opinions. They are also fearful of disappointing their parents who are so strict (Swim & Douville, 2011).
Permissive Parenting
The discipline directed to children by theses parents lacks strictness. These parents are concerned about disciplining their children only that they do not show any strictness, and they usually hide any impatience directed towards their children. These parents are willing to listen to whatever their children say, accept and nurture their children effectively. The notion behind permissive parents is to provide a helpful hand to their children in shaping and developing them. They consider themselves as best friends to their children. The influence of this parenting style to the development of children is that the assurance of healthy development owing to the fact that children are monitored to follow rules, ask questions and have their opinions considered (Arthur, Beecher, Dockett & Farmer, 2015).
Authoritative Parenting
Authoritative parents provide a listening ear to their children, but they are the ones who set limits and enforce rules. They do not have a habit of punishing their children, but they encourage the maturity of their children at all times. These parents do not consider themselves to have complete authority over their children, but they act as mentors or guide to their children as a parent and not as a friend. It is somehow an effective method of parenting because the parents exhibit some form of strictness but not too strict to induce fear unto their children. They set rules and limitations that commensurate to the child’s abilities and also forgive where necessary (Swim & Douville, 2011).
Uninvolved Parenting Style
This parenting style is mainly associated with child neglect and abuse. The style provides no rules for the child to follow since there is no communication and encouragement evident from the parent. Social development of such children is hindered because the parents are not there to offer psychological or physical support.
Parenting style you feel is most effective and why
The authoritative parenting style is the one that I feel to the most effective in the early infancy and child development. My reason is that children need mentoring and smooth guidance to show them which way to follow rather than setting rules that are not questionable. This parenting style does not induce stringent punishment to children. I believe that exposing children to severe punishment to mistakes they make, it ends up ruining their lives rather than shaping them. Such children live in fear of making mistakes in every task they perform rendering them to drop their confident levels. Authoritative parenting gives children a chance to express their opinions and concerns. This makes them feel respected and their discipline level rise considerably (Arthur, Beecher, Dockett & Farmer, 2015). Excessi...