Social Cultural Issues in Early Childhood

Student’s Name

Institution of Learning

Introduction

This discussion essay is a research paper on social cultural issues in early childhood. Children’s experiences are mostly as a result of influence by beliefs passed on from one generation to another. The research paper focuses on socio-emotional development in early childhood. The early infancy years of a child presents a platform to foster healthy development. How a child is handled in the early years of their development have both positive and negative experiences. This is in relation to shaping the behavior, social, cognitive and emotional development of any child. Thus research shows that such factors contribute to the risks undergone by young ones in relation to social, emotional and behavioral problems. These factors also contribute to obstacles in eligibility, access to services and even utilization of services.

Describe the issue, referencing theories to explain its significance in terms of child development

The early years of life to any new born child gives a chance to lay down a firm foundation for healthy development in that it gives the opportunity for great growth and of vulnerability. Children experience common socio-emotional problems in their early ages. Children below five years of age undergo socio-emotional problems. These problems may the key contributing factors to their functioning, development and even readiness to attend school. Research shows that boys are more prevalent to problems associated with behavior as opposed to girls (Ammerman, Putnam, et al. 2009).

Family and environmental factors are the major contributing factors that make children more vulnerable to social, emotional and behavioral problems. Children living in moderate neighborhoods do not experience behavioral problems as compared to children living in low-income neighborhoods. This also applies to children who come from households with lower levels of family income. The behavioral problems they experience adversely affect their development. The impact of income on the development of children can be intervened by target parenting.

Children healthy development is a majorly influenced by parents and caregivers. Behavioral problems among the young ones are brought about by family risk factor. These may include maternal risk factors such as substance use, mental health problems and even continued exposure to domestic violence. These factors affect the ability of parents to support the development of their children. These family risk factors make children to experience problems with aggression, anxiety and even depression.

Parental attachment to children is a key factor for social development of children .poor attachment to the young ones and more so the maternal attachment can have negative impacts on the socio-emotional health and development of the young ones.

Parents with mental illness pose a greater challenge to their children. Such children are at the risk of suffering from psychosocial problems. The mental health problems of non-relative caregivers have negative effects to the early experiences of children (Johnston, Brinamen, 2005). Young children who are exposed to many risk factors are more prone to suffering from achieving benchmarks in early School success.

Discuss the issue from the perspective of UAE culture and compare it to perspectives of another culture

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), there are strategies and plans of action to ensure early childhood care and development strategies. UAE provides goals to ensure expansion of early childhood care and development activities. These activities include interventions in families and community, and especially the poor, the disadvantaged and the physically challenged children.

The kindergarten cycle provides the basic stage in the preparation for primary education. The system helps bridge little children from the confined world of their families at home to the school environment that is diversified. The kindergarten system has educational philosophy, educational requirements and educational goals that encompass behavior, knowledge, emotions and skill and the curriculum in place. Authorities in the UAE term the kindergarten system as a key part of the system of education in the country. This is because the system enables children to attain a comprehensive and balanced growth. This is in terms of physical, intellectual and also I aspects of psychology (Pearsons, 2009). It also helps to strengthen and develop the abilities of children through actively participating in games and free activities.

Possible Recommendations

Policy action is crucial so as to improve on the social emotional development and mental health for young children and their families. The possible recommendations include:

Implemnetiaon and promotion of quality child care programs. These programs will help support social-emotional development and the mental health of young children. Policy makers should come up with preschools that offer mental health consultations to children.

Prevent occurrence of severe emotional and behavioral problems among children. This will be achieved by the use of child or family risk factors to help determine the possible services to help support their eligibility and access to desired services. The relevant authorities should ensure that there are enough providers of health, mental health and early care and education to children. These include pediatrician who have been trained in the identification and management of emotional and problems associated with behavior (National Center for Children in Poverty, 2009).

Policies should be implemented to ensure identification of parents with mental illness who have young ones so that they can receive parenting support and treatment. If proper parenting screening is carried out, the impact on the young children will be reduced.

Finally, there should be consistent funding to facilitate appropriate and effective interventions and strategies for children and their families. This will help improve and lead to positive social, emotional and behavioral health results to children and their families.

References

Ammerman, R. T., Putnam, F. W., Altaye, M..,Chen, L., Holleb, L. J., Stevens, J.; et al. 2009.

Changes in Depressive Symptoms in First Time Mothers in Home Visitation. Child

Abuse & Neglect

Johnston, K.; Brinamen, C. (2005). Integrating and Adapting Infant Mental Health Principles in

the Training of Consultants to Childcare. Infants & Young Children

National Center for Children in Poverty. (2009). Improving the Odds for Young Children, State

Profiles. Retrieved on April 3, 2009 from

http://www.nccp.org/profiles/early_childhood.html.

Pearsons.(2009). Infant and Toddler Social Emotional Assessment. Retrieved March 27, 2009

from http://pear-sonassess.com/HAIWEB/Cultures/en-us/Productdetail.htm?Pid=015-8007-387