Cu1545 1.3 Essay

CU1545 1.3, 1.4, 3.1,3.2, 3.3, 5.1 Work with Babies and Young Children To Promote Their Development and Learning Please answer the following questions to show your knowledge and understanding of the development and learning of babies and young children, how you understand the attachment needs of babies and young children and the importance of working in partnership with carers. This will cover some criteria in Learning outcome 1,3 and 5. 1.3 Explain the potential effects on development of pre conceptual, pre birth and birth experiences Even before a baby is conceived what a mother and father do in there lives will contribute to a child development in the future, it is always advised to lead a healthy lifestyle. Future parents are advised to cut out smoking, drugs and reduce Alcohol intake and be of an age where eggs are still healthy. Once conception has taken place the first 12 weeks of a
foetus's life is when its most vulnerable as organs are formed. Smoking can make a babies underweight and premature with possible effects on health in the future, drugs can be passed from the mother to the baby and alcohol can also be passed to the baby and cause a condition called Foetal Alcohol Syndrome which can lead to a child's cognitive development being affected. Infections can put an unborn baby at risk such as rubella can lead to sight and hearing problems. Mothers are advised to have regular health checks as complications such as diabetes and pre-eclampsia can develop both of which can cause health problems. Diet during pregnancy is very important for a babies development as folic acid is advised to be taken as a supplement during the first 12 weeks and foods rich in iron such as red meat and green vegetables. There are also certain foods to be avoided such as unpasteurised cheese, old meat, and smoked fish as these contain a bacteria called listeria, raw or part cooked eggs can cause salmonella and undercooked meat can lead to food poisoning. Giving birth can be a traumatic time for babies with the main danger being a lack of oxygen also known as anoxia, this is when the oxygen supply may be interrupted for several reasons including umbilical cord becoming tangled or baby being slow to breath at birth in some cases this can cause brain damage or even death. Full term pregnancy is between 38 and 42 weeks babies born before then are premature this may be for medical reasons or a woman going into labour early. Babies born before 25 weeks will need much more medical help to develop. A mother may give birth naturally or in distress by Caesarean section when a incision of about 20cm in made across the lower abdomen and the baby is taken out. |

1.4 Explain the impact of current research into the development and learning of babies and young children Research into the development of a babies brain is quite recent thing but it is now known that early experiences and language along with a healthy diet and sleep all contribute to the overall development of the brain. Brain cells called Neurons are formed between 10 and 12 weeks of a pregnancy, these will join together and make to brain work. Connection are made between neurons called dendrites and pass electrical pulses called axons. In the last two months of pregnancy these cells join up and are known as synapses and those that have not made good connection are killed and it is thought that this may be why some children have learning difficulties. The brain continues to develop as we grow and research now shows that the early years stage is of great importance and stimulating environments and good sensory opportunities are key to a child's development. Research in continuing and should be kept up-to-date with in order to aid a child's future development. |

3.1/2 Explain the benefits of the key worker/person system in the early years setting how babies and young children learn and develop best from a basis of loving, secure relationships with carers and with key persons in work settings A key person act as a substitute for the main carer in a small child life providing love and attention when parents are away, making the child and parent feel comfortable and relaxed and this will stop any separation anxiety when they are not together.
It is important for the child development that they have a good relationship with the key worker to provide them with a sense of well being and will feel secure and valued with someone they can trust. It is a fact that a child will learn from someone they have a good attachment with especially emotional and language development. As part of this key role stability and consistency, comfort and physical reassurance are provided, interaction with the child, helping to sleep and being there when child awakes, feeding and changing and it is important to share information with the main carer.
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3.3 Analyse the possible effects of poor quality attachments on the development of babies and children When a child has a strong relationship with someone it helps them to trust, become independent and confident, if this is broken then a child can sometimes show problems in being separated and are less likely to settle. In cases where there is poor or no attachment a child will show signs of withdrawn and antisocial behaviour sometimes even aggressiveness. A child/baby who feels like this is unlikely to make the most of learning opportunities and can go on to become depressed and have poor attachments in later life. |

5.1Explain the primary importance of carers in the lives of babies and young children The carers in a child's life such as parents, grandparents, foster parents and key workers are the people that they have the closest attachments to and provide a feeling of being loved and special, this helps a child to gain confidence and self-esteem which is vital for socialising and being ready to learn. Carers will know the child inside out and will be able to understand their needs and protect them and in turn the child will look to the carer for reassurance, love, boundary setting and guidance. |