EDU 305
Culture and Development
“Every child should have a caring adult in their lives. And that's not always a biological parent or family member. It may be a friend or neighbor. Often times it is a teacher” (Manchin). To work effectively with students of different origins, we as teachers must be aware of our own heritage. Educators should be familiarized with their own backgrounds. The positive or negative influences or environment are both a part of our culture and development. These two aspects , play such an important role in the lives of infants and toddlers. Different factors influence infant and toddler culture, these factors have lifelong effects on the development of infants and toddlers. Culture is precisely made of traditional and non- traditional customs, practices, and social behaviors. Children are raised to carry on and believe in the same culture as their parents. For instance, when parents are socially involved, the children will grow up being more social. When parents raise infants and toddlers in a stimulating environment, the more they will learn. (Culture and Development, 2012) If a child is raised in a less development environment or culture, they are more likely to become developmentally slower. (Culture and Development, 2012)
Both cultural and biological influences encourage development in infant and toddlers. A child born in a loving nurturing home is most likely going to receive love and support throughout their whole life. Parents that nurture their children encourage them to make good choices and they encourage the child to develop. Family life is part of nature, which provides the child with his/her own identity. (Culture and Development, 2012) However, there are children that have supportive families developmentally but lack the nurturing aspect. In hind sight the child grows up not feeling loved or nurtured. These children may not do their best academically because they do not have the love and support at home. Love and support are what infants and toddlers essentially need to develop.
Children begin learning behaviors such as how to behave in public, how to share and how to be social with others at a very young age. Children learn from the culture of their