Introduction
The course has introduced me to studying normal human development and growth through the lifespan. Scientists often examine four interaction elements to explain why individuals grow as they do: biological, psychological, social, and lifecycle forces (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2018). Each person is a unique combination of these factors that can be investigated to understand the growth and development stages. I learned many concepts that helped me comprehend human development and the influence of various factors. Nevertheless, the stages of human growth and development I was most interested in were infancy and adolescence because I have two children, a 13-year-old and a 3-year-old.
Selected Developmental Theories
I found two developmental theories valuable in explaining and understanding human development and behavior: Bronfenbrenner’s and competence-environmental press theories. They concentrate on ecological and systemic perspectives on human development behavior. Human growth is intrinsically tied to the environment in which one grows (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2018). For instance, my job, my children’s daycare and school are all part of a larger cultural framework that influences their development. I also discovered that when children’s competency matches the demands imposed by their circumstances, their cognitive capacities grow most effectively.
Types of Attachment
Another helpful knowledge that I acquired during the course is the attachment types. According to Kail and Cavanaugh (2018), attachment relationships are divided into secure, avoidant, and disorganized (disoriented). Ward and Gepp (2022) acknowledge that how a child interacts with their caregivers affects how they handle relationships later in life.
I believe my children and I have a secure attachment because I have always focused on offering as much care and attention as possible. This type of connection is the best since it allows for the development of healthy relationships in the future. Individuals with a secure attachment type succeed in relationship management and are often compassionate and trustworthy of others.
Adolescent Behavior Management
Additionally, one of my children is a teenager, and I was curious to understand how to prevent negative risk-taking behaviors in teens. Kai and Cavanaugh (2018) emphasize that teenagers drive recklessly, engage in unprotected sex, and frequently consume illegal and harmful substances. As children age and create new relationships, it becomes increasingly difficult to control their behavior (Morin, 2022). According to Kail and Cavanaugh (2018), the prefrontal cortex, a brain area responsible for higher-level thinking, does not fully mature until an individual’s mid-20s. Thus, taking risks helps to build a consistent self-image that stays relatively constant even if new aspects of the self develop or are reinforced through time.
As a result of coursework and additional sources, I discovered preventative measures to help me control risk-taking behavior in my 13-year-old child. One technique for minimizing teenage risk-taking behaviors while allowing adolescents to make decisions under supervision is to develop and enforce rules (6 Ideas for Reducing Risky Behaviors, 2019). Parents and family must also provide structure and routine and become acquainted with their teen’s friends (6 ideas for reducing risky behaviors, 2019). Teenagers transitioning from infancy to adulthood may experience anxiety about themselves and their societal place and require help.
Conclusion
To conclude, I enjoyed the course. Selecting a few concepts or theories was challenging because they all benefit understanding human development through the lifecycle. Nonetheless, I wanted to learn more about my children, so I selected the concepts related to infancy and adolescence. I found the developmental theories and preventive risk-behavior strategies for teens interesting. Unhealthy risk-taking jeopardizes adolescent health, and every parent should be able to aid their children in defining their identity and avoiding dangerous risk-taking behaviors.
References
6 ideas for reducing risky behaviors in teens. (2019). Partners Resource Network. Web.
Kail, R. V., & Cavanaugh, J. C. (2018). Human development: A life span (8th ed.). Cengage.
Morin, A. (2022). The 10 biggest teen health risks. VeryWellHealth. Web.
Ward, K., & Gepp, K. (2022). Attachment style quiz. PsychCenter. Web.