Chapter 3 Understanding Human Development 69
others within the family. Not surprisingly, research studies suggest
that the quality of the home environment is especially important to
children’s development, and that these infl uences are very complex.
Parents impact all aspects of development—physical, cognitive, social,
and emotional. In addition, parents guide children’s moral development.
Effective parenting techniques and providing a stimulating
home environment are consistently associated with better outcomes
for children. These qualities are not dependent on having an
advanced education or a high income. Parents who lack effective
parenting skills can learn them. Doing so is the best gift that they can
give their children, 3-4.
Researchers continue to study how and why families affect vari-
ous aspects of development. Sibling relationships, the impact of being
an only child, birth order, and the emotional climate of the home are
a few areas of study for researchers.
• Peers. Although families have the greatest social infl uence on children’s
early development, the impact of peers increases during later childhood
and adolescence. The ability to make and maintain friendships as well
as attaining, social power and status, acceptance, and belonging all
affect social and emotional development. Peers offer equal status, a
relationship that does not exist in child-adult relationships. Peer relation-
ships remain important to development throughout life.
3-4
Parents impact
all areas of
their children’s
development.