Section 1:3 Environment
33
Environment
Sharpen Your Reading
Add to the graphic organizer you prepared
for Section 1:2. Include branches listing the
environmental factors that affect growth and
development. Add the heading Environmental
Factors.
Boost Your Vocabulary
Find or draw pictures illustrating each of the key
terms.
Know Key Terms
environment
sibling
cultural heritage
peers
technology
media
resiliency
Your environment includes everything in
your surroundings, 1-9. Family, friends, home,
and school are part of your environment. Your
senses of seeing, feeling, hearing, smelling,
and tasting bring you information from your
environment. All these factors influence your
experiences.
Both heredity and environment influence
personal development. You inherit certain traits
that affect the way you look and behave, but
then your environment takes over. Your heredity
determines your potential for development. Your
environment determines if or how that potential
is reached.
The Influence of the
Family Environment
The family is usually the major human
influence in a person’s life. This is especially true
during the preschool years, when children spend
most of their time with parents, grandparents, or
other family members.
Most families want to provide a nurturing
environment in which children feel secure and
protected. Physical needs for food, clothing, and
shelter are met. A child’s needs to be with people
and to give and receive love are met. Children
also have opportunities to learn, explore, and
create. In such an environment, family members
can grow and develop to maturity.
The Prenatal Environment
The prenatal environment is the child’s
surroundings before birth. The way a woman
cares for herself during pregnancy will affect
her baby. Eating properly and avoiding harmful
drugs and medications are healthful practices.
Good health increases a woman’s chance of
having a healthy baby.
section
1:3
Environmental Factors
Family
Cultural heritage and society
School
Peers
Community
Religion
Technology
Media and electronic entertainment
Stress and violence
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1-9
Many factors in the environment influence your
growth and development.