STEP TWO...

TOPIC: HOW A WELL STRUCTED FAMILY AFFECTS A CHILD WHILE IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES IN LIFE, AND ALSO IN ADULT HOOD.

Research:

Facts: 

•  study funded by the National Institutes of Health reveals that a child’s family life has more influence on a child’s development through age four and a half than does a child’s experience in child care.
• “This study shows only a slight link between child care and child development,” said Duane Alexander, M.D., Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the NIH component which funded the study. “Child care clearly matters to children’s development, but family characteristics — and children’s experiences within their families — appear to matter more.”
• Study that was done for 15 years, researchers from 10 sites around the country have followed the development of more than 1,000 healthy children from across the United States. Children were enrolled in the study at birth. The study included children from ethnically diverse and economically disadvantaged households. More than 80 percent of the children in the study grew up in two-parent families. 
• results from the survey: 
• Children who received higher quality child care were better able to think, respond, and interact with the world around them—and had somewhat better reading and math skills—than children who received lower quality child care.
• Children who spent 30 or more hours in child care each week showed somewhat more problem behavior in child care and in kindergarten (but not at home) and had more episodes of minor illness than children who spent fewer hours in child care each week
• Children who attended child care centers had somewhat better language and social skills and better pre-academic skills involving letters and numbers, but showed somewhat more problem behavior when they first entered school than did children who experienced other types of child care settings. 
• For example, children did better when parents were more educated, when families’ incomes were higher, when mothers had fewer or no symptoms of depression, and when families had well organized routines, books, and play materials, and took part in learning activities.
• The NICHD study was to examin the relationship between infants' childcare arrangements (defined in terms of hours, type, quality, and stability of care and the age at which the child entered care) and children's concurrent and long-term development. Specifically, the study investigated the association between children's experiences in childcare and their social, emotional, language, and cognitive development. The social-emotional assessments included measures of attachment, independence, compliance, behavior problems, prosocial and antisocial behavior, and general competence in interacting with peers. Cognitive variables include general developmental level and problem solving skills. Language assessments incorporated measures of children's expressive and receptive communicative competence. Also, . Family relationships, parental mental health, family stress, and so on, are not just inputs to child development or moderators of childcare effects, they are also outcomes. High-quality childcare may alleviate family stress and enhance parental adjustment. Low-quality childcare may add to the stress parents experience. Although the main focus in the study was on the effect of childcare on the child, the study also examined the effect of childcare on the family. 

          CITATIION:  

"NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development: Phase I, 1991-1995 [United States]." ICPSR Web Site. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ICPSR/studies/21940/detail.

• Heredity and environment both play a major part in the development of a person’s total personality. Families from different backgrounds will have different ways of training or raising their children. Problem children are most often the product of inadequate love received from parents and loved ones. A parent must give a child more than food, shelter, and clothing. A child must be given a proper self-esteem. They must feel needed and wanted. A child needs to feel secure in the family structure. Showing and teaching love provides the security that a child needs. It shows them how to love themselves and others in a constructive way.



• Children need a stable living arrangement if they are going to learn how to contribute to society. There are seven basic functions that must be carried out within the home for this to be possible.(While they may not be carried out in the home exclusively--that is where it must start.)

1.) The family (parents) must provide for the care of, feeding, clothing, and a place to reside for each and every child.

2.) The family is responsible to see to it that each child is provided an education. Whether that be through public or private means, an education is essential.

3.) Religious beliefs must be taught in the home.

4.) Some member of the family needs to be gainfully employed. Mother or father it does not really matter.

5.) Parents are responsible for the social upbringing of a child. They must be taught how to get along in the world around them. They must be out and about and not kept in isolation.

6.) Recreationally: It is important that families do thing together. A family that plays together--stays together.

7.) Finally, affection. It is vital to teach our children how to love. With out this, they will be lost.

• Early childhood experiences are so important. It is what they learn now that will stick with them for the rest of their life.
• OUTSIDE INFLUENCES ON CHILDREN:

1.) Mass Media---Newspapers, magazines, television, radio. Almost every home in America has at least one of these and many times all. With the violence that is projected here, we must be careful. A child learns by watching. If they watch violence, violent is what they will become.

In helping to choose and set guidelines, we must insure that our children are picking positive role models.

2.) Child Abuse---Break the cycle now. Never ever hit a child. Millions and millions of children are abused every year. It is a proven fact that many abused children become abusers.

3.) Divorce---For the child's sake stay friendly. Your son/daughter needs you both. It is not their fault that you can not stay together. If you can not work it out to stay together, work it out so that you can both play an active roll in your child’s life. This is a must. In the school system this type of child will need to be shown love and understanding. We need to be patient with them and realize that acting out will be a part of their personalities. Then they need to be re-directed and vent the anger and frustration that they feel in a productive nature.

4.) Latch-Key: Children need someone home with them when they are home. It is not a stable environment when they come home to an empty house.

• Children's personalities are influenced by their background, environment, physical, mental, emotional, and social needs. Their personal experiences are what make the unique and help to mold the person that they are going to become. Closely observing your child at home and at play can help you have a better understanding of who they are and what their needs are.

CITATION: 

"Learn about Child Development." Essortment Articles: Free Online Articles on Health, Science, Education & More.. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. <http://www.essortment.com/all/childrenwherec_rskg.htm>.

• SURVEY: The study, in the May/June 2010 issue of the journal Child Development, was conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota, Georgetown University, and the Oregon Social Learning Center.  

CITATION: 

"Family Child Care Providers' Behavior Found to Affect Children's Stress." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100514074919.htm>.

 Different types of parenting styles

• The Autocratic Style- 

  Autocratic parents are those who tell their children what to do, how to behave and when to do so without allowing any room for flexibility
  This style of parent can also be referred to as dictatorial parenting, because the parent dictates the rules without allowing feedback, discussion, or input from the children or sometimes even the other parent. These parents are often viewed as being overly strict or controlling. The parent may use commands and give orders to avoid being challenged by their children     
  PROBLEMS WITH THIS STYLE: 

  One of the main problems associated with this type of parenting is that the children don't learn to think for themselves or make their own decision because they have always been told what to do. This can create problems for them once they leave home as adults, having had no previous opportunities to practice making decisions or problem solve every day issues

• The Permissive Style-

  Permissive parents are the complete opposite of autocratic parents. They provide little to no structure for their children and allow them to do as they please. Generally there are very little, if any, rules in the home and the few that may exist are not enforced, or are enforced inconsistently.

  Children who are raised by permissive parents tend to get used to getting their own way and may rebel against other authority figures who attempt to get them to follow rules - such as teachers, other caregivers, or even law enforcement officers. These children have a difficult time adjusting to independent life once they leave home because they have not been taught the importance of following rules. 

  In extreme cases, some specific ways in which this can affect these children in their adult life might include:

• Frequently being late for work leading employers to see them as unreliable.
• Not paying bills or rent on time resulting in credit problems or even eviction.
• Not showing up or showing up late for job interviews resulting in long periods of unemployment.

• The Authoritative Style- 

  The authoritative style of parenting is a halfway point between the autocratic and permissive parenting styles. Authoritative parents provide a structured environment by using routines, setting limits and enforcing rules, yet they are also flexible and supportive. Children are given opportunities to be part of the rule setting process when appropriate and are provided with limited choices.

  These type of children learn how to:

• Function within a structured environment.
• Problem solve.
• Gain independence one step at a time.
• Make healthy decisions.

CIATATION:

"How Parenting Styles Affect Children: Understanding Autocratic, Permissive and Authoritative Parenting." Suite101.com: Online Magazine and Writers' Network. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. <http://www.suite101.com/content/how-parenting-styles-affect-children-a89354>.