Exploration Of Holistic Development Within A Child s Life

Introduction The following essay will address issues in relation to the nature and nurture debate. The indicated debate reviews aspects of behaviours, either inherited or obtained by environmental influences (Waches 1992). Wachs (1992 p. 2) states ‘the development of a child could be viewed as akin to the growth of a plant- a little sunshine and a little water was all the environmental contribution that was necessary to promote what was inherent in the organism’. The main focus of the essay is exploration of holistic development incorporated in a child’s life such as; physical, emotional, intellectual, language and communication (NCM, 2014). Holistic development views the child as a whole individual (Meggitt 2012); and considers the†¦show more content†¦Cognitive structures are developed when a child is accustomed to their surroundings. Meanwhile the child is exposed to new experiences creating new information, resulting in schemas developing, either being changed or modified (About 2014). Accommodation is reviewing an existing schema, desiring change (McLeod 2012). For example, a child raised in a home has a stereotypical approach on another social group. However, when the child moves away from the environment and surrounds themselves with people from the group realises the schema is wrong, in distinction to interactions and experiences. Furthermore, Piaget believes a balance among assimilation and accommodation must be formed so the child can learn (About 2014). Equilibration is an operation searching to accomplish cognitive stability in assimulation and accommodation (Hummed, 1998). The child will continuously interpret and fathom the world through experiences. Conversely, challenged by experiences challenging their understanding (Oakley 2004). Lev Vygotsky is the foundation of extravagant amounts of research in cognitive development (McLeod 2014). Vygotsky observed children as curious and active in their own learning, he underlined the central role of social interaction in cognitive development (McLeod 2014). The nature and nurture debate is combined with cognitive development. The central debate is accustomed with developmental psychology, including; physical