Question

Approaching human development from a global perspective, identify five (5) things that are necessary for optimal development from preconception through the first year of life. Explain how each of these things impact development

Answer 1

• Nutrition is important before and during pregnancy and is most influential non-genetic factors in foetal development.Maternal under nutrition is a risk factor for foetal growth restriction and adverse perinatal outcomes.Inadequate intake of good nutrition and mother’s poor nutritional status during pregnancy are indicative of intrauterine growth restriction whereby affecting brain development of the child.Status of foetal development is associated with maternal nutrition and low birth weight is a major risk factor affecting child’s mental, physical and cognitive development.
• Breast milk is ideal and best food for infants, it provides a unique nutrient constituting of proteins, carbohydrates and fats needed for optimal cell function and growth in the child.
  
• Smoking during pregnancy and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke has serious health consequences for both mother and the baby. The adverse effects of alcohol consumption during first eight weeks of pregnancy are cranio-fecial, limb and cardiovascular defects, which is known as Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and exposure in the later pregnancy may affect growth of foetus and associate with behavioural and cognitive development.Therefore,healthy parental behaviour is extremely important for the development of the child.
• Young children in their early years especially are dependent on the care they receive and their growth depends on the capacity of the caregivers. Lack of personalized care during the early years of life has a devastating effect on the child’s health, growth, personality adjustment and cognitive capacity.Therefore,it is necessary that parents display sensitivity and responsiveness to their child in the early years for their optimal development.Children with responsive parents develop high cognitive functioning later on in life.
• Good environmental factors are also important for optimal development including good family environment,clean drinking water and sanitation.
• Socio cultural factors also have major influence on babies.Babies and young children have potential to learn soon after birth and they learn through seeing, doing, hearing and touching. They learn more as they grow older. They are naturally sociable and curious, and interested in communicating with other people in a various way including eye contact, body movement, sounds and facial expression. These potential can be unfolded only through play and communication and interaction with caregiver and other people.
• Children during early years of age undergo through rapid growth and development that is greatly influenced by above mentioned factors. Exclusive breastfeeding, adequate complementary feeding, stimulation, safe environment and care need to be ensured for optimum physical, mental, social and cognitive development and to prevent to adverse impacts on short-term survival as well as long-term health and development. Children who have a good start in their life will be healthier adults resulting in a better social, economic, physical and cognition and they live better for their families.