Child Development

Child Development

The early years in a child’s life is critical for their development; the first five years are
vital and will help shape the child’s future. The role of the child’s primary carer is
therefore central to aiding all aspects of their development. Children learn quickly
during their early years, they need love and nurturing to develop a sense of trust and
security that turns into confidence as they grow. A routine within the early years
setting ensures that the child feels safe and secure; many settings work with the
child’s parents and try to follow the same routine as used at home. To illustrate the
importance of the primary carer I am going to explore examples of theory from
cognitive, social and emotional aspects of development. This will allow me to
conclude that the primary carer is crucial in a young child’s holistic development.
“Every child deserves the best possible start in life and support to fulfil their potential. A child’s experience in the early years has a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in it’s own right, and provides the foundation for children to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow.”
EYFS.2008.DCSF
This is why the primary carer plays a crucial role in a child’s development. Piaget,
Bruner and Vygotsky all believed that the most critical factor in a child’s cognitive
development is the adult that they are with. It is therefore essential that the primary
carer is skilled and experienced in child development and knows how to observe and
at what point they need to intercept and support the child.
Bruner’s theories identify the environment as an important factor in a child’s
development, he believed that children wanted to explore difficult tasks with the help
of knowledgeable and supportive carers. He believed that children had the ability to
learn and grow and that there was no limit to their potential. Bruner often...