Page 13 - LESSION 6.pmd

Growth and Development

• • • • • Gender and Culture
Learning to behave according to the gender roles prescribed by society is an
important task that children have to master to be accepted by the peer group. Notes
Differences in behaviour shown by boys and girls emerge because of parental and
societal expectations. Often, it is seen that boys are encouraged to fight back and
not to cry "like a girl" while crying is accepted in girls when they are attacked.
This is harmful as it creates gender stereotypes, and parents and teachers should
ensure that no such behaviour is encouraged through action and words. In addition
to this, cultural practices also directly and indirectly influence children’s growth
and development.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 6.2
1. Fill in the blanks:

a. Children learn ————————————,——————————
—— and ———————————— in the company of friends.

b. ———————————— and ————————————
diseases are frequent among many children living in an unhygienic
environment.

2. Name any two diseases one can be susceptible to due to hereditary reasons.

ACTIVITY 6.1

Collect information from your community on cultural practices
specifically related to health and nutrition that affects the growth and
development of children.

WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT
In this lesson, you have learnt:
• The term growth refers to changes in height, weight and body structure. It
refers to quantitative changes in the body that are measurable. Growth is
rapid during the first two years of life.
• Development refers to qualitative changes in the body as well as changes in
behaviour and attitude. It is difficult to measure development.
• Development is continuous and sequential, involves change and is a product
of maturation and learning.
• There are individual differences in development.
• Development is influenced by heredity and a number of environmental factors
such as nutrition, health, age and emotional state of the mother. It is also
affected by exposure to X-rays, intake of drugs, socio-economic background,
living conditions, family structure and child-rearing practices.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 87