Page 9 - LESSION 6.pmd

Growth and Development

To an extent, susceptibility to certain diseases (such as colour blindness, Down’s
Syndrome, asthma, diabetes) also depends on heredity. In addition to that, certain
personality characteristics such as temperament may also be affected by genetic
factors. However, genetic pre-dispositions can be over ridden by environmental Notes
influences. One can create or provide an environment that can help reduce the
impact of heredity. In Case Study 1, Sudhir can be provided with healthy food
and height-promoting exercises to help reduce the effect of heredity. Similarly,
in Case Study 3, Reema can be provided a stimulating environment to help her
interact and communicate better.

6.3.2 Environmental Factors
Many environmental factors such as mother’s state of health, age, disease and
emotional states and exposure of the unborn baby to environmental pollution, to
X-rays and drugs affect the child. Certain contextual factors such as family, gender,
culture and society at large also influence children’s development. Let us read
about these environmental factors in detail.

We are familiar that children experience their immediate environment after they
are born. However, even before children are born, they experience the environment
within their mother’s womb. A child and the mother are connected in more than
one way. The mother’s state of health, diseases, age and emotional states also
affect the child. If a mother keeps good health and takes proper nutrition, during
and after pregnancy and also during lactation, then the child will also be healthy.
However, if a mother has diseases or is nutritionally weak, then the child born to
her may also be affected by this. Creating a conducive environment may not
totally help the child overcome the constraints set by heredity, but it can help
reduce their effect.

¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ Nutrition, health and hygiene needs of a child and the mother

The foundations for growth and healthy development are laid from the mother’s
womb. Maternal health is an important factor which affects the growth and
development of a child. A foetus gets nourishment from the mother’s diet.
Therefore, it is very important that during pregnancy, the mother takes a
balanced diet which is rich in all necessary nutrients. Moreover, antibodies
produced by the mother to combat infectious diseases are transmitted to the
foetus, usually producing immunity at birth and for some months thereafter. The
placenta also acts as a barrier against some harmful agents, including viruses,
microorganisms and various chemicals. Thus, it is important to give both the
mother and the child proper and timely immunisation and other health check-
ups to prevent various diseases.
Along with mother’s and child’s nutrition and health, keeping them clean by
giving them a regular bath, cleaning of teeth, hair, nails, nose and eyes are other
important factors that must be given attention.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 83