Child and young person development: Biological, environmental and interpersonal influences

Bennett, Kay; Brown, Zeta and Edwards, Tracey (2017). Child and young person development: Biological, environmental and interpersonal influences. In: Brown, Zeta and Ward, Stephen eds. Contemporary Issues in Childhood: A Bio-ecological Approach. Routledge, pp. 17–31.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315513850-4

Abstract

This chapter utilises Urie Bronfenbrenner's ecological and bio-ecological model as a backdrop in exploring the child and young person's (CYP) development through a biological, environmental and interpersonal lens. The chapter discusses the societal perspectives on CYP and their influence on education; CYP and their environment; and CYP and the involvement of practitioners/teachers, parents and carers. Various disciplines carry out research in the area of cognitive development from different perspectives, including neuroscience, developmental psychology and behavioural genetic research. It can be said that in England and Wales attention has been paid to CYPs' social and emotional development for many years, as evidenced in the implementation of the National Curriculum and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Poor health impacts too on the CYP's emotional and social development, affecting their self-esteem and self-efficacy. The physical environment is one of many factors that can have an influence on the health of the CYP.