18 Unit 1 Reaching Your Potential
The Prenatal Environment
Prenatal refers to the months before birth. How
well a woman cares for herself during pregnancy
affects her baby’s prenatal environment. Eating and
resting properly and avoiding harmful drugs and
medications increase a woman’s chance of having
a healthy baby.
Poor health practices, on the other hand, can
have a negative, long-term impact on the child.
Substance abuse by a pregnant woman, poor
nutrition, alcohol use, or exposure to harmful
radiation can permanently affect a baby’s health
and brain development.
The Family and the Early Childhood
Years
Relationships within the family need to be
strong enough that the family can meet children’s
needs. Families need to create a safe environment
for a baby to grow, learn, explore, create, and
develop. They need to take care of the baby, keep
the baby warm and fed, and protect him or her
from harm. This care needs to be provided consis-
tently, 24 hours a day.
Babies need more from their environment
than just physical care, however. They also need
an environment that makes them feel secure and
loved. This helps them grow emotionally and
socially. Families need to hold, cuddle, talk to,
and play with the baby, and respond to the baby’s
cries. When children receive warm, loving, and
consistent care, they tend to feel safe and secure
(Figure 1.12).
Children also need a stimulating environment
to reach their growth potential. Having a variety
of sights, sounds, smells, and textures to explore
promotes intellectual development. Parents can
contribute to children’s intellectual growth in
other ways, too. For instance, studies show that
parents who read aloud to infants help their
children develop language skills. A parent who
encourages a child to practice athletic, artistic, or
other skills helps that child develop those skills.
A child’s environment should promote the
growth of independence. As children explore, they
discover they can do things on their own. Families
can provide tasks for children to do by themselves,
such as picking up toys or getting dressed. When
children are not allowed to try some tasks on their
own, they may doubt their abilities. They may feel
ashamed of their lack of skills. Instead of growing
toward independence, they become more dependent
on others.
Families can also help children learn how to
fi t into their surroundings. An environment with
well-defi ned limits helps young children learn to
control their behavior. For instance, they discover
that when they kick something, it moves. With
guidance from parents, they can learn that it is okay
to kick balls, but not to kick brothers and sisters.
In this way, they learn that some activities are safe
and acceptable while others are not.
Figure 1.11 Many factors in the environment influence
growth and development. Which of these factors
influence you more than the others?
Environmental Factors Affecting
Growth and Development
• Family
• Cultural heritage and society
• School
• Peers
• Community
• Religion
• Technology
• Media and electronic entertainment
• Stress and violence
antoniodiaz/Shutterstock.com
Figure 1.12 Children enjoy having stories read to
them. Why do you think being read to makes children
feel secure and loved?
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.