Ages 6-11

Child Growth and Development

Student’s Name

Institution

Introduction

This study focus on the growth and development of Eric Marshall Jnr, who is six years old and in grade one (1) at Fairfax Junior Academy. Marshall Jnr is the last born in a family of three. He lived with both of his parents along the Fairfax square, Annandale Road. Eric Marshall Jnr. is blue eyed, short curled and dark hair. He has round face and oval and pointed nose. Eric Marshall Jnr lives with both parents in a three bedroom house along Annandale round. He shares bedroom with his elder brother and mostly spend time with nanny since both parents are fulltime employees of a local company. There are several play toys and within the vicinity there is a play ground for children. The nanny takes him to school and mostly does all the support needed. However, the family is middle upper income earners and they can afford most of the basic needs. Marshall’s mother stated that both are university graduates with both having master degree from some of the best universities. The average value of the house is $105,000 and they live in a middle income neighborhood. Eric Marshal is my nephew child and he has been chosen for this study because despite being six years, he still has difficulty in speaking compared to his age mates.

Physical development

Eric Marshal Jnr is skinny and small. The nanny out pointed that Marshall has grown compared to when she came to the family less than 2 years. He walks straight and run a little bit and he also plays well with his brother who is 8 years old. During the visit Marshall Jnr was spotted running a little bit, playing with toys and with his brother. He also keeps falling down any little run and plays. Eric Marshall Jnr plays with toys, plays with balls a little bit and also difficult in running and jumping like his brother. During the visit Marshall was pointed falling and crying most of time when playing. However, the nanny pointed out that Marshall has not been physically fit and falls more often when playing with other kids outside on the playing ground. He cries a lot and most left behind by other children who they play with on outside. Nanny also informed me that Marshall has poor eating habit and most take liquid food. He is forced to eat and he takes time to complete a meal forcing her to feed him despite being old enough to eat alone. This is unique because children of his age cannot eat properly alone without any disturbance. Constant crying and unable to playing well with other kids are also very unique since most children at his age play well, jump and run without any problem unless a child is unwell.

Cognitive Development

Based on the observation, it is evident that Eric Marshall Jnr has slow growth of memory and thinking. Marshall cannot speak properly and his could be lack of exposure with other children when he was at a younger age and therefore, he delays in growth. He should therefore, be put with other children to plays more often so can learn how to speak. However, it is observed that he can play, run and also trying to socialize with other children which are positive thing. Marshal language development is good since he can speak with other children other not clear due to difficult in speaking. However, when talk to, he respond well. He is learning to read and can respond to simple math when ask and therefore, this indicates a good progress in literacy. In average, he is behind compared with children of his age and therefore, some actions need to be taken to address the problem.

Social and Emotional Development

Marshall is jovial and interacts with his brother since they play together. He is relaxed, but very insecure with every child. “He keeps walks away from other strange kids and plays only with brother and normal children in the neighborhood,” nanny reported. This means that Marshal feels insecure with strange kids though he is very jovial, happy when with familiar faces. However, it is also observed that he keeps crying which indicates poor emotional adjustment. Therefore, Marshall is weak when compared with other kids of his age.

Family and Home Factors

The family of Marshall is working class and his parents spend most of their time at work. Therefore, it is evident that he lacks parental care, which would have helped him to develop speaking skills at an early as other children. He spent most of the time with nanny away from other children when he was 1 to 4 years and therefore, he missed at an important stage of growth.

Summary

The child, Eric Marshal Jnr. experience slow growth. He has difficulty in speak and still behavior like a 3 years child while he is 6 years. It is therefore, evident that the slow growth is due to isolation and lack of proper parental care. It is important for his parents to take time and provide parent care and love o improve the growth of Marshall.