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Parents Influences on their Child’s Development

Geniveve Paul

Parents Influences on their Child’s Development

Edu 231 – 001

Dr. James Johnson

May 13, 2010

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Parents Influences on their Child’s Development

It is the dream of some young women to become a wife and then a mother. There is an

overwhelming feeling that comes with motherhood and having the responsibility of nurturing

and caring for your own child. Whether she knows it or not, a mother is the key component in

her child’s social, intellectual, and physical development. Conducting an interview with a

parent gives much insight to how they interact with their child and how their role as a parent

influences the development of the child. I conducted my first interview with a parent who has a

child in general education program. I would refer to this parent as Case Study 1. The second

interview was conducted with a parent whose child has a special need. I would refer to this

parent as Case Study 2.

Case Study1 pregnancy was planned shortly after her marriage because she was

approaching the age of 35 years. Since women over the age of 35 are considered to be high

risked patients during pregnancy much attention was given to proper diet. Prenatal care and

doctor visits were top priority for the monitoring of her child. Case study 1 was a plus size full

figure woman before her pregnancy. During the course of her pregnancy she gained a few more

pounds which she was unable to loose so far. She was esthetic and shouted for joy when the test

results showed she was pregnant. A feeling of pride and joy came over her. She always

wanted a daughter but when the sonogram showed a son it did not sadden her spirit. The joy of

being pregnant suffice it all. Case Study 1 had no complications during her pregnancy. All

preparations were made for the birth of her son.

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Parents Influences on their Child’s Development

Demographic Information of Case Study 1

Case Study 1 is a 45 year old mother who was born in Trinidad. Her religious

background is Anglican. English is her main language and that’s what she speaks only. Case

Study 1 has been a Crisis Para for the past six years with an agency that is affiliated with the

board of Education. She lives with her 10 year old son (the special needs child that would be

discussed in this interview) and her husband the child’s father.

Cultural Identity of Case Study 1

Case Study 1 father and mother’s ethno cultural and religious background is Trinidadian

and Anglican. This is the same ethno cultural and religious background that Case Study 1

identifies with. Her son who is the special needs child identifies both with her ethno culture and

his father who is Panamanian.

Growing up as a child Case Study 1 spoke English, and it is still the current language

spoken in her home among family members and on her job.

There are a lot of interactions that goes on with family members and friends in the United

States. Case Study 1 tries her best to ensure she takes her son to these family gatherings, for she

believes it will help with his language development and social skills. Her son loves the family

barbeque on Labor Day weekend, he celebrates that his parents are from two different countries

so he gets to wear two types of flags. Case Study 1 son has friends whose parent(s) are from his

mom’s culture of origin.

History and Description of Special Needs of Case Study 1

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Parents Influences on their Child’s Development

Case Study 1 special needs son has a delayed speech problem. He did not learn to speak

until he was three years old. This problem was identified as an inherited one. Case Study 1

herself, during her early childhood did not spoke before age three. But with the help of a speech

therapist he was able to enter kindergarten at age five. “There is room for improvement,” says

his mother, but he is functional. The school he attends has a speech therapist which he sees trice

weekly. He also has a problem with his feet and hands where he has therapy to keep them

straight. In the past he wore braces on his feet, but they are in good shape now although still

slightly bowed. She does not treat him as if he has a special need or different from a regular ten

year old. She was thankful that he did not received surgery because the physical therapy is

working well.

Case Study 1 is confident that because of early intervention in her son’s life he was able

to receive the necessary services to help him become functional. P S 221 the school where Case

Study 1 son attends is equipt with a staff to provide adequate services for special needs children.

Working together with teachers and being there for her child has resulted in significant

improvement. Case Study 1 son has an IEP. And he is given extra time for his ELA and other

examinations.

Case Study 1 is so thankful that her son has no behavioral problems. He is in a general

education classroom setting.

Family History of Case Study1

Living within the household of Case Study 1’s son is his biological father and mother.

There are no other siblings or family members such as aunt or cousins living in the home.
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Parents Influences on their Child’s Development

Case Study 1’s parents were both from the Island of Trinidad and Tobago in the

Caribbean. Her mother was the second oldest of five siblings – three boys and two girls. And

her father was the surviving twin of two boys. Case Study 1 has an excellent relationship with

her parents until now. She was raised by both her mother and father. There is a history of

diabetes in the family. Her grandparents from both sides of the family were very stern and firm

when it comes to having good morals. Today Case Study 1 does the same with her son by

teaching him to be respectful and conduct himself in an orderly manner.

Case Study 1 and her son’s father met here in the United States at a family barbeque.

The relationship developed for a period of two years which culminated into marriage between

the two. Case Study 1 Son’s father did not fathered any child prior to marriage neither did she.

It’s an overwhelming feeling when you’re expecting for the first time. Case Study 1

son’s name is Spencer. He was given this name by his father who named him after on of his

uncle’s his father’s brother in Panama. Spencer senior was a successful entrepreneur and

mechanic. Case Study 1 son’s father adored his uncle that he named his son in honor of his

memory.

Social and Development History of Case Study 1

It was previously mentioned that Case Study 1 encountered no serious problem during

her pregnancy. The results from her blood test and sonograms proved normal. She has a son

that both his father and her adores and cherished a lot.

Case Study 1 son’s language development did not occurred in a timely manner. His

speech was delayed until he was three years old. Family members considered his delayed
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Parents Influences on their Child’s Development

speech problem to be hereditary from Case Study 1 side of the family. The family soon realized

that help was needed and went about seeking such help.

Educational History and Performance of Case Study 1

Case Study 1‘s son attended preschool and the kindergarten at age five years old. He

was already receiving therapy before attending Kindergarten which has helped him to interact

with his peers. He has a shy personality but does not isolate himself from others. With the help

he received over the years his grades in Math is above average and his reading and writing is

average. Cases Study 1 says “Her son’s temperament was at a slow pace but improved

significantly. For his social skills there is much more room for improvement.

The Application of the Child Development Theory for Case Study 1

According to Vygotsky children can perform more challenging tasks when assisted by

more advanced and competent individuals. Spencer can do more difficult things in

collaboration with his speech, and physical therapist, than he can do on his own. He can read a

more complex piece of literature with the assistance of his teacher and his mother who is a Crisis

Para.

In his theory called socio-cultural perspective Vygotsky proposed that adults promote

children’s cognitive development by engaging them in meaningful and challenging activities,

helping them perform those activities successfully and talking with them about their experiences.

During the summer vacation Case Study1 takes her son on a cruise aboard the Carnival Cruise

Ship. At the conclusion of the trip they talk about their memories and experiences. Taking a

trip on the Carnival Cruise Ship with his mother is what another theorist refers to as the micro-
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Parents Influences on their Child’s Development

system level. Bronfenbrenner labeled different levels of the environment that influence children

development and in his view the family operates as a social system.

Demographic Information of Case Study 2

Case Study 2 is a 32 year old mother. Her religion is Pentecostal. She was born in

Guyana a country in the Caribbean. She speaks English which is the primary language spoken

at home. She is currently employed as an Assistant Teacher at Battalion Christian Academy.

Case Study 2 lives with her husband and three sons. Their age ranges are seven, five, and two

and a half years old. Her oldest son (who is the focus of the interview) attends B C A where

English is the main language spoken.

Cultural Identity of Case Study 2

Case Study 2 father’s ethno cultural background is Guyanese with a past Catholic

religious background. He was later converted to Pentecostal before he could marry to a

Pentecostal person. Her mother’s ethno cultural background is Guyanese and she is Pentecostal.

Case Study 1 and her family are all American citizens. Her three sons were born in the United

States and her husband and self are citizens by naturalization.

Most of Case Study 2 family members are of Caribbean descent where English is

predominantly spoken. Therefore she grew up speaking English and continues to work in an

English speaking environment. All her children speak English.

Case Study 2 and her immediate family all lives in the United States. Her eldest son

has peers of his culture and also his parent ethno culture. Case Study 2 son socializes a lot with

his extended family from both his mother and father sides of the family. Most of his extended
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Parents Influences on their Child’s Development

family either attended school in the U S or migrated here for a better life. Occasionally he gets

to associate or interact with his aunts, uncles and cousins. Case Study 2 is convinced that her

son is fully aware of his culture of origin.

Past Medical History of Case Study 2

Case Study one is allergic to salmon. She suffered a miscarriage during her first

pregnancy. Due to her miscarriage when she was pregnant with her second child she had a

surgery to prevent her from miscarrying again. Her son was treated and released over night for

a heavy chest cold and shortness of breath when he was two years old. He does not suffer from

asthma.

Family History of Case Study 2

It is mentioned earlier that Case Study 2 household consists of her husband, their three

sons and herself. Case Study 2 paternal grandmother who once lived in the US and now retires

and live in Guyana make frequent visit to the U S. There are other close relatives who live in the

United States such as her mother, aunts, and siblings.

Case Study 2 mother and father were born in Guyana. Her mother was the first of four

siblings and her father is the third of eight children born to his parents. Her relationship with her

mother and siblings are great. Her father passed away when she was in high school; but before

that they had a wonderful relationship. Case Study 2 son’s father has a great relationship with

his parents. His father loves cooking and since he loves to eat he calls his dad the greatest chef

in the world.
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Parents Influences on their Child’s Development

The United States was known as the land of opportunity where life is better than any

other part of the world. The opportunities offered for a better lifestyle is what sparked the

migration History in Case Study 2 family. Her father migrated first to the United States leaving

her mother with the children behind. This was not due to any political uprising it was for

financial, reason to be able to take adequate care of his family.

Case study 2 was separated from her father for approximately three years due to financial

constraints. He was living in the U S and she was in Guyana. Eventually the family was

reunited.

Case Study 2 met her son’s father at their church summer camp, he was 22 years old and

she was 23 years old. With the consent and approval from their parents they were later married.

Case Study 2 son’s name is Daniel and he got that name from the character Daniel in the

Bible, a man of prayer. “I give my so that name because when I found out that I was pregnant, I

prayed and asked God to let me be successful this time .” Her son loves the story of the boy

Daniel in the Bible on how God delivered him out of a den of lions. He says, “ he is brave like

Daniel.”

Social and Developmental History for Case Study 2

Daniel is seven years old and he is developing at the normal rate for his age group. He

has an outgoing personality and socializes quite easily with his peers and even older individuals.

Educational History and Performance of Case Study 2

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Parents Influences on their Child’s Development

Academically Case Study 2 son is ranking above average among his classmates. He is in

the kindergarten class at Battalion Christian Academy. Reading and writing are his strong areas.

Socializing is not a problem for him he learned this skill very early in his childhood when his

mother would take him along to her choir practice.

The Application of the Child Development Theory for Case Study2

Vygotsky describes in his theory of socio cultural perspective the act of internalization

which is the gradual evolution of external social activities into internal, mental activities. Mental

processes develop as children interact with their peers. This theory is reflected in Case Study 2

allowing her son adequate time to play with his siblings and cousins. They play with toys and

legos that require some amount of group work.

The preoperational stage of cognitive development, which lasts from ages two through

seven – this is the category in which Case Study 2 son is placed. According to Piaget it is the

ability to represent objects and events mentally. Children can now recall past events and

envision future ones. Daniel can recall his great grand mother visiting from Guyana for

thanksgiving and look forward for her being there for another thanksgiving.

Overall Summary

The experience and knowledge gained from conducting this interview is remarkable in

the sense that it was an eye opener into the real world situations that exist in the home with

parent and child. This is the first time I am doing an interview of this nature. It is important for

me to practice this skill of interviewing to enhance my communication skills with parents. This
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Parents Influences on their Child’s Development

skill is needed for me to establish an effective relationship with the parent and student.

Understanding the situation and needs of the child in the home and its environment is critical to

the development of the child.

Interviewing the parent of the general education child was not difficult for me since the

parent I interviewed is one of my co-worker. I was skeptical as to what the response would be

like from the parent of the special needs child. But it was not bad as I perceived it to be. The

parent cooperated well and we were engaged in a friendly conversation as thought we knew each

other five years ago. They were some questions she did not want to answer in details. I

respected her privacy and did not pry for an answer when it was not forthcoming. Then I

thanked her for taking the time to participate in the interview. I was pleased with the response I

got from both parents.

Parents have educational goals and high expectations for their child despite their short comings.

This case study project has helped me to understand how to ask questions to assess a child’s need

and behavior and to plan suitable and effective strategies to meet the needs of each child. Also a

clearer understanding that parents have a significant influence on their child’s ability to function

effectively and thereby supports the child’s cognitive, emotional and social development.
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Parents Influences on their Child’s Development