2. Factors That Influences A Child’s
Development
There are many factors that may influence a
child’s development, such as their
neighborhood, interpersonal relationships,
and community resources. However, many
studies suggest that a child’s physical and
family environment has a major influence on
the their development as well. Child
psychologist David Harrison and counselor
Terry Woods are two professionals who also
believe that a child’s outcome is greatly
influenced by their environment.
3. Experts in the field of Childhood
Development
David Harrison
Career- Environmental and
developmental Psychologist.
Background- conducted many
studies evaluating effects of the
environment on a child’s wellbeing.
Terry Woods
Career- Child and family counselor
Background- Intensive home
counseling, works to strengthen
family foundations through
treatment goals and intensive
counseling sessions.
5. Psychologist David Harrison has preformed many studies on how a child’s
environment influences their development. In fact, he believes that factors within a
child's physical environment greatly influence the outcome of a child. Such factors
are :
◦ Parent or guardian involvement- Parents being involve with their child’s home
and academic world has a great influence on how their child responds to his or
her external setting. Parents who provide positive nurturing home environments
and have close interpersonal relationships with their children allow their child
to feel secure, valued, and most of all loved..
◦ Standards of living- Having adequate necessities such as food, clothing, and
housing is essential to a child’s development
◦ Safety- Providing a safe environment within the home will allow children to feel
secur . Safety not only involves what takes place in the home but the quality
standards of the house itself, such as environmental hazards. . Huston (2002)
states “When families and communities do not have—or do not provide—the
necessary preventive resources, children are at greater risk of injuries, failure to
thrive, mortality, untreated medical and dental conditions, and health problems
such as asthma”(Para, 2).
The Future of Children
Organization (2014) states
that missions is to “provide
both research and analysis
to promote effective
policies and programs for
children
http://futureofchildren.org
/publications/journals/artic
le/index.xml?journalid=43&
articleid=177§ionid=11
53
6. American
Psychological
Association
Counselor Terry Woods has not only researched and evaluated different
studies involving childhood development, but she also has firsthand
observation of different family environments as an intensive in home
counselor. She believes that the home environment has an enormous
impact on a child’s development. However, she places great emphasis a
child’s early development and observational learning.
Observational learning in early development shapes the behavior of a
child. Parents or guardians are a child’s very first teachers and the home
becomes the learning environment. Therefore, whatever behaviors or
actions that take place within the home can or will influence a child’s
behavior in external setting as well. Counselor Woods has observed
children exhibiting unpleasant behaviors that they may have learned
while observing their parents or other members within their microsystem.
“How do parents matter?
Let us count the ways
“A forthcoming book
details evidence of how,
when and in what context
parents influence child
development--and where
they might not.”
(AZAR,2000)
http://www.apa.org/mon
itor/julaug00/parents.aspx
7. Overview and comparison
Psychologist David Harrison Counselor Terry Woods
Wood’s point-of-view
◦ The home family environment has the
greatest impact on a child’s development.
◦ Parents or guardians behavior has an great
influence on the outcome of the child’s
behavior.
◦ Negative behaviors may be the result of
observational learning that takes place in
the home environment.
Harrison’s point-of- view
◦ Parent or guardians involvement- having
close interpersonal relationships.
◦ Standards of living- families having
sufficient necessities.
◦ Safety- providing a non- violent
atmosphere that is also free of
environmental hazards.
8. References
American Psychological Association, (2000) How do parents matter? Let us count the ways.
Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug00/parents.aspx
Family and Friends Holding Hands – Illustration (2014)Retrieved from
http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-illustration-5915619-family-and-friends-holding-hands.php
Hudson, A. (2002). Reforms and Child Development. Retrieved from
http://futureofchildren.org/publications/journals/article/index.xml?journalid=43&articleid=177
§ionid=1153
The Future of Children Organization, (2014). Retrieved from
http://futureofchildren.org/publications/journals/article/index.xml?journalid=43&articleid=177&
sectionid=1153
Vector - Playground: cartoon illustration of kids playing together at the park (2014) Retrieved
from http://www.123rf.com/photo_9707979_playground-cartoon-illustration-of-kids-playing-
together-at-the-park.html
