Essay --

Identify and discuss factors that affect development and learning and the effects on the development of the individual. Specific reference will also be made to the physical and psychological changes and the effects of ageing on individuals, families and society. Development is the process in which every individual goes through; the process includes learning and acquiring skills, such as sitting, walking, talking and as the process continues the skills become more advanced such as; tying shoe laces. There are five main areas of development; Cognitive, Speech and Language, Social and Emotional, Fine motor skill and Gross motor skill, (Do2learn.com, 2013). According to (Oxforddictionaries.com, 2013), Learning is ‘the acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught.’ In the first half of this essay it will look at two main factors that contrast one another and affect development and learning, and the effects on the development of children and young people, whilst linking to theory. In the second half of the essay, concentration will be on ageing, focusing from early childhood to adolescence and the physical and psychological changes; alongside the effects on the child, family and society. There are many factors that can affect a child’s or young person’s development and learning; the two considered main factors are biological and social. These two factors are recognised as the nature versus nurture debate; the nature side of the debate believes that the way individuals behave and develop is a result of their genetics, whereas the nurture side believes that an individual’s behaviour and development is shaped by external factors. Focusing on the external factors, these are the factors that are said to influ... ...otionally act more like one. At this stage puberty takes place for both males and females, physically both bodies change in height, weight, and growth of pubic hair and the start of menstruation for females, (Tanner, 1962). There is a strong effect on the families or parents of the adolescent child as they don’t see the child as much. This is due to the adolescent child or teen beginning to strive for independence doing this by spending less time with their family and more with friendships, (Global Post, 2013). In conclusion with the essay focusing on effects of certain factors on development and learning it gave the opportunity to see how vital development is to a child’s growth in all areas of development as both positives and negatives were outlined. Alongside also focusing on ageing and the importance of the physical and psychological changes that take place.