![]() ![]() Parents’ culture can influence their children’s development. How society shows an understanding of diverse cultures can impact a child’s development in many ways, such as how confident in themselves or how comfortable interacting with others they become as adults. For instance, culture can affect how children build values, language, belief systems, and an understanding of themselves as individuals and as members of society.Ĭhildren can receive these cultural influences in different ways, such as through their parents, their environment, and the media. Recognizing Cultural Influences on Child DevelopmentĬulture influences development from the moment we’re born, making an impact on us as we grow. When children do that, their development suffers. This is especially the case if peers or even teachers treat the child in a way that reveals bias or casts the child in the role of an outsider.Īccording to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), childhood exposure to dominant social biases - such as favoring people who are white, Christian, heterosexual, able-bodied, thin, wealthy, fluent in English, natives rather than immigrants - can trigger developing children to judge themselves unfavorably by the same limiting standards. When a young child’s cultural background differs from the prevailing culture - for example, the child’s family might speak a different language at home, eat different foods, or observe different holidays - it can affect self-image. In other words, the social cues a young child takes in from others about cultural background can help or hamper development because developing children readily internalize what they see and hear. All too often, however, some elements of cultural background may not be accepted or understood by the society in which a child grows up - potentially harming a child’s self-image and development. Exposure to positive influences can favorably impact a child’s development, while exposure to toxic or stressful influences can negatively impact development.Īll else being equal, a child’s cultural influences at birth are neutral. For example, a child might say, “Time to clean up” because a teacher says it in school.Ĭhildren learn, therefore, by observing and making associations about their surroundings. Absorbing and copying what they see from others in real life or in the media. For example, children might receive dessert after eating their vegetables. Drawing associations between a reward and an action. For example, children in religious families might associate bedtime with prayers. Drawing associations between a stimulus and response. To understand the environment’s impact on a developing child, let’s look at the three main ways children process the information around them as they grow. … How the brain grows is strongly affected by the child’s experiences with other people and the world.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports, “Although the brain continues to develop and change into adulthood, the first eight years can build a foundation for future learning, health, and life success. The Importance of Childhood DevelopmentĮarly childhood is a key period of mental and emotional growth, and what children perceive and experience can shape their future: Our childhood environments and how we respond to them can predict the course for our health and well-being as adults. A degree such as Maryville University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Studies can prepare future professionals for success in these roles, providing them with the background and experience they need to support children and families with their services. ![]() Fortunately, culturally competent educators help children of all cultural backgrounds learn by showing an understanding and acceptance of diverse cultures and how they make each child uniquely valuable.īecause culture is such a powerful indicator of a child’s future well-being, those who work with children, including social workers, counselors, and specialists, need to understand the cultural influences on child development and how they impact the way people grow and learn. When a child’s self-identity is at odds with the social environment due to cultural differences, it can hinder learning. The unique cultural influences children respond to from birth, including customs and beliefs around food, artistic expression, language, and religion, affect the way they develop emotionally, socially, physically, and linguistically. Cultural background gives children a sense of who they are. ![]()
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