The Critical Years: Early Years Development from Conception to 5 (Critical Approaches to Social Work) - Softcover

Gully, Tim

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1909330736 ISBN 13: 9781909330733

Publisher: Routledge, 2013

Synopsis

During the last ten years our understanding of early child development, from conception through to 5, has greatly increased.  This includes our understanding of neuro science and brain development, the ability to modify fetal development in the womb and the move away from the traditional debate of nature versus nurture to nature via nurture.   It is vitally important that childcare social workers are fully aware of these issues if we are to intervene successfully to support children in need and children that need protecting. This book introduces the new science while affirming many of the older theories. By linking theories of child development with the law, policy and guidelines, it provides students with a source that will enhance their learning, but also has meaning in day-to-day practice.

About this title

About the Author

Tim Gully worked for the Probation Service, NSPCC and in Social Work for 25 years, mostly with dangerous offenders and in child protection, before moving in to higher education. He has taught both social work and early childhood studies and currently teaches at the University of Chichester. His research interests include the making of children from conception to birth, risk society, social pedagogy and child protection in early years. Working with both victims and abusers, he believes that it is essential to see situations holistically so that we can better, understand, intervene and protect children. Internationalism is at the core of his teaching and research and he has been able to teach in Denmark, Romania and Germany, bringing ideas back to include in his teaching in the UK.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Critical Years

Early Years Development from Conception to 5

By Tim Gully

Critical Publishing Ltd

Copyright © 2014 Tim Gully
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-909330-73-3

Contents

Acknowledgements, 
Meet the author, 
Introduction, 
1 Foetal development, 
2 The physical child, 
3 The psychological child, 
4 The social child, 
5 The parented child, 
6 Children with special educational needs and disability, 
7 Abuse and significant harm, 
8 Conclusion, 
Index, 

CHAPTER 1

Foetal development

Learning outcomes:

• to understand embryo and foetal growth from conception to birth;

• to explore scientific and legal developments in relation to pregnancy;

• to identify negative parental behaviours that may shape the foetus in the womb;

• to examine the role of parental choice;

• to recognise social influences on conception and pregnancy.

Critical questions

» Scientific advances have greatly increased our understanding of foetal development and brought a level of maternal and paternal control over outcomes. Is there a danger we may take this too far?

» Why do we have babies?

Introduction

Many texts will begin child development at birth, when in fact it begins at conception. The word 'birth' conjures up a miraculous event that should be exciting for the mother, father and wider family (Becket and Taylor, 2010, Chapter 1). The significance of it cannot be underestimated, nor the risks for the mother and baby ignored, but this all begins long before. One can argue that in fact child development begins even earlier with the decision of two people, bringing with them their genetic coding and parental potential, to couple and reproduce. In most cases people will make choices about whom they have sex with and certainly plan to have children with. Fundamental drivers such as desire and attraction play their part, but as the relationship develops, cognitive skills also come into play in assessing the partner and potential partnership. This said, in some cases pregnancy is an 'accident' or people do not think through whom they are having children with, they do not look forward or think about consequences, but then why should they? They may be in love and most people believe in a happy ever after.

Brief relationships can lead to pregnancy, but generally when two people meet and plan a future together they will probably have found some common beliefs such as religion, social or sporting activities, enjoyable, compatible sex, friendship groups and so forth. There is likely to have been discussion about having children and how many or indeed agreement about not having any. If couples have significant differences they will probably not stay together. This pre-selection activity is good for the future child or children of the relationship, making good parenting and successful child rearing more likely. This is not to say, however, that relationships that begin well with a good foundation will not founder and see children suffer emotional or physical trauma, but the likelihood of a good outcome is increased. This suggests that having a successful parenting couple, rather than a single parent, is better for the child, something that is patently not true. The child needs good parenting and this is as likely to come from a single parent or gay couple as it is from the traditional husband and wife. It is interesting to note that some women are now deciding to do without a partner and buy sperm directly from the internet. The deb

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1909330736
• ISBN 13: 9781909330733
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 110