TASK 1(A)

The development of every child is different because it is influenced by a few factors. Bee
(1981) has stated about environmental influences that “there has been a great deal of research
in developmental psychology on the effects of major external influences”. There are a few
environmental factors that can affect the development of a child.

Environmental factors include the condition and life style of the expecting mother during
the prenatal stage. Expecting mothers are advised to not to take harmful substances such as
alcohol and tobacco from smoking as they might give impact to the child conceived. Bee (1981)
has concluded that pregnant women should not drink no matter if the alcohol intake is in small or
large quantity if they want to be on the safe side. Abel (1980) stated that smoking during
pregnancy is associated with the child’s growth retardation, during both prenatal and post-natal.

Another one of the factors is the social status of the family of the child. There are
differences shown between the growth and development of the children from low-class family with
middle-class family. According to the Annual Review of Psychology, children from the families
with adequate finances are more likely to grow and develop optimally as cited by Martinez (2016).
This is because the parents are able to pay for decent and conducive education and facilities, and
the food with enough nutrient that can help the growth and the development of the child.

Besides, the mass media also affects the development of a child from various aspects.
The mass media has been seen as a factor that has its own pros and cons towards the children.
As example, Sanders, Montgomery and Brechman-Toussaint (2000) cited from Egger, Donovan
and Spark (1993) that mass media plays an important role in providing health information in
general public which will lead to the heightened hygiene among children and eventually maintain
a healthy growth and development of the child. On the other side, mass media has also affected
the child development negatively shown when the preadolescents and adolescents show more
concern about their physical appearances. Both girls and boys have made a lot of effort to appear
like the same-sex figures in the media as mentioned by Field, et. al. (2001).

Lastly, peer group is also one of the environmental factors that influences the development
of a child. Peer group refers as a group of people of the same age, status, or ability. Children
engage with most of their peers at schools and also at playgrounds. Haliza, Samuel and Rafidah
(2008) has stated that the influences from peer group contribute to intellectual and potential
individual development. The influences generated from peer group may result positively and
negatively depending on various conditions. Children learn from their peers on how to negotiate
and relate to other people and also the skills of cooperating and socializing according to group
norms and group-sanctioned modes of behaviour (Barbour, Barbour & Scully, 2008). However,
Ladd (2005) has mentioned that not all influences from peers are positive as such an adverse
peer experiences can be stressful for children that have social difficulties and if it continues, it
may lead to anxiety, depression and loneliness. Thus, it is very important for adults especially to
encourage and monitor the social skills of the children with their peers.

Parents and the surrounding community actually play a big role in maintaining a healthy
growth and development of the children. The environmental factors will affect the growth and
development of a child in various ways, from physically to emotionally. Therefore, it is very crucial
for everyone to know their part in developing a healthy child.