The development of children is affected by a wide variety of both biological and environmental factors. Biological factors can play a particularly important role in early development and can affect children throughout their development, especially at critical times such as the prenatal period and early childhood.
Relevant research conducted at Rutgers University showed that prenatal factors affect language development and postnatal factors contribute to a child's cognitive development. Kinetic development is widely regarded as the result of innate, biological factors, with postnatal factors contributing to a lesser extent.
Biological factors include genetic influences, brain chemistry, hormone levels and sex.
Diet
Proper nutrition is a vital factor in a child's overall development. Before birth, the mother's diet and health play a key role. For example, the adequate intake of folic acid before conception and during pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of certain genetic abnormalities in the baby's brain and spine.
These genetic problems occur during the first weeks of pregnancy, so it is important for women of childbearing potential to ensure that they are getting enough folic acid daily.
Sex
Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes in their cells (with the exception of special reproductive cells called gametes). The first 22 pairs are called autosomal and are the same in boys and girls. Therefore, men and women share most of the same genes.
The 23rd pair of chromosomes is what determines a person's gender. Boys usually have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome while girls have two X chromosomes. Therefore, gender differences at the biological level are on the Y chromosome. Gender can affect development in a number of ways. For example, boys tend to have more muscle mass and be taller.
A child's body is further differentiated as special sex hormones are produced that play a role in the differences between the sexes. Boys usually produce more androgens (male sex hormones), while girls produce more estrogen (female sex hormones).
Interactions between biological and environmental factors
It is important to remember that biological agents do not act individually. Genes, for example, can interact with other genes and the environment. Some genes can dominate and prevent the expression of others. In other cases, certain biological effects may affect gene expression.
An example of a biological influence on gene expression is a child who is not getting proper nutrition. The child may not grow up properly, even though they have inherited genes for height.
To understand the development of children, it is important to consider all the factors that may play a role. Healthy growth is not the result of a single influence.
Source: imommy.gr