Impact of Culture on Infant Development

Impact of Culture on Infant Development

Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact culture has on the development of infants. Culture here encompasses various aspects of a child like race, ethnicity, nationality, religious or spiritual identity, family make-up, economic resources, and language. Infant development can be described as growth, physically and emotionally, and cognitive development - biologically. Infant development plays an essential role in developing the personality of the child as the child grows up. To live a satisfying and momentous life, two areas are very important for the individuals. Hence it is quite essential to consider and control the cultural factors that negatively affect the growth and development of infants.

What aspects of infant development are considered to be universal?

Despite the fact that the infant babies sleep most of their time, significant changes occur in five critical aspects of development. These aspects are considered to be universal and they include physical development, cognitive development, psychological and emotional development, language development, and motor skills development.

Physical development - it is very interesting for a new parent to watch their baby grow in size. There is a possibility that an infant loses some weight curtly after birth. Usually, the weight is regained within ten to twelve days.

Cognitive development - cognition is referred to the capability of thinking, learning, and remembering. The brain of an infant develops rapidly. Parents and guardians must interact with the infant in a positive manner for the promotion of healthy growth of their brain (Bee & Boyd, 2006).

Psychological and Emotional development - infants learn ways of communication very quickly and easily. They look for interacting with the people around and articulate to them the way they feel by means of facial expressions and different sounds. Instinctual behaviours, like weeping when feeling uncomfortable, are initially the means employed by the infants for signalling their requirements. They shortly start communicating in a subtle manner and interacting with others. The eyes of the infant, for instance, would track somebody's movements; or their face brightens when somebody talks to them and cuddles them soothingly.

Language development - the infants listen to and absorb the distinct and basic sounds of language. This procedure serves as the basis for their speech.

Sensory skills development - infants have each of the five senses. The infants learn quickly to identify faces of people usually around them, their smell, and the sound of their voices. The infants' sense of touch is developed specifically around their mouth. Also, they have a strong smelling sense. The infants, after some days, hear adequately well and respond most markedly to loud and high-pitched sounds. Infants recognize and prefer sweet taste to the salty, bitter, or sour ones. During infancy, their vision quickly develops however it is considered as the weakest sense the infants have.

Motor skills Development - motor skills develop in infants when their nerves and muscles operate together. Mostly the movements are administered by reflexes, like the rooting reflex that works when the head ...