Life Span Development

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Throughout this assignment I will be discussing the development of a five year old child. With the support of relevant theories including the work of Jean Piaget and Erik Erikson, I will discuss the environmental influences that promote the physical, cognitive and psychosocial development of a five year old child. When I came to Canada in 2008, I was asked by my aunt to look after my cousin cousin Lucas. At this time Lucas was five years old and showed ordinary physical characteristics. He was nearly forty inches tall and his weight was like most other children of his age group, he was neither overweight, nor underweight around 17-19 kilograms. (Santrock, 2008).His healthy height and weight was result of the fact that he eat well, both at home and at day care. His parents try to keep a healthy balance of foods, and Lucas eats nearly all types of food given to him. Lucas has had no serious illnesses while growing up. He got a cold once in awhile, which can be expected with preschool children. Referring to Life Span Development textbook “Preschoolers are developing gross motor skills—learning to use the large muscles in their legs, arms, and trunk to run, jump, throw, catch, and kick.” (Santrock, 2008) .The motor skills displayed by Lucas were a mostly average for his age. Once a day we went to the park, where he could climb at the playground, running back and forth, swing and jump around. Lucas was able to run well and can control when he stops and starts running with little notice. He can jump in place, as well as jump while running. ”Preschoolers are also working on fine motor skills, although those develop a bit later than gross motor skills” (Santrock, 2008). His fine motor skills were good as well. He is right handed, and could hold a pencil or marker properly. He has learned how to write his name and can write each letter in his name the correct way.

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