Brain Development and Individual Characteristics

(Brain Development and Individual Characteristics)

Brain development

At least 300 words and apa format

Brain-based education suggests that physical exercise is important for brain development. Research has shown that in addition to physical exercise, other activities focus on stimulating the social development and intellectual development of young children.

Gerry

Gerry, who is still incapable of jumping with both feet, may not be invited to join in a game of jump rope. This is an example of how a child’s individual characteristics (motor skills in this case) can affect context (social environment) and influence development (LeFrancois, 2012).

Reflect back on your own development as a child, or on the development of a child you know, and provide an example of how individual characteristics affected development. Using the text and other scholarly resources, provide some suggested activities or strategies that would provide the necessary support to enhance the affected development. For example, Gerry’s teacher notices she is being excluded from the game of jump rope and intervenes by showing Gerry how to twirl the rope. Gerry is now included socially, despite her delayed motor development.

Brain Development and Individual Characteristics

Brain development in children is profoundly influenced by various factors, including individual characteristics and the social context in which they grow. Physical activities, such as playing games or engaging in sports, are not only vital for motor development but also contribute to social and intellectual growth (LeFrancois, 2012). A child’s abilities—or lack thereof—can significantly shape their interactions with peers, as demonstrated in the example of Gerry, whose motor skills delay impacted her inclusion in a jump rope game.

Reflecting on the development of a child I know, Alex, a 6-year-old, had difficulty with fine motor skills, such as writing or cutting with scissors. This limitation often led to frustration in art projects at school and feelings of inadequacy among peers who excelled in these tasks. Over time, Alex began withdrawing from group activities that required fine motor coordination, impacting his social engagement and self-esteem.

To address such developmental challenges, targeted strategies and activities can support skill enhancement while fostering inclusion. For instance, Alex’s teacher introduced activities that incrementally developed his fine motor skills in a non-competitive environment. Play-based exercises, such as threading beads, molding clay, and playing with building blocks, allowed Alex to improve his hand-eye coordination while enjoying peer interactions. Additionally, group activities like collaborative art projects ensured Alex remained socially engaged.

Research supports integrating diverse, developmentally appropriate activities to stimulate both brain and motor development. Physical exercises, such as yoga or balance games, can enhance coordination and body awareness (Ratey, 2008). Similarly, encouraging children to participate in structured social interactions, like team games or cooperative learning, promotes emotional and intellectual growth (Diamond, 2011).

By creating an inclusive environment and offering tailored support, children can overcome developmental challenges and flourish socially and intellectually. For children like Gerry or Alex, these efforts highlight the importance of recognizing individual characteristics and adapting strategies to ensure holistic development.

References

Diamond, A. (2011). Interventions shown to aid executive function development in children 4 to 12 years old. Science, 333(6045), 959–964. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1204529

LeFrancois, G. R. (2012). Psychology for teaching (11th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Ratey, J. J. (2008). Spark: The revolutionary new science of exercise and the brain. Little, Brown and Company.

Brain Development and Individual Characteristics