3.2. Explain the reasons why children and young people’s development may not follow the expected pattern

This guide will help you answer 3.2. Explain the reasons why children and young people’s development may not follow the expected pattern.

Children and young people develop at different rates, but there are situations where their development does not follow what is typically expected. These reasons can affect physical, emotional, social, intellectual, or behavioural development. Recognising these factors helps professionals and families support young individuals to achieve their full potential.

Biological Reasons

Biological factors originate from conditions affecting the body, brain, or genetic code. These factors can be present before birth or develop after.

Genetic Influences

Some children are born with hereditary conditions that can affect their overall development. Examples include:

• Down’s Syndrome, which impacts intellectual and physical development.
• Cystic Fibrosis, a condition that can lead to delayed physical development due to frequent illness and nutritional issues.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder, a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, social skills, and behaviour.

Genetic conditions are not preventable, but diagnosing them early allows families and professionals to provide the right care.

Physical Disabilities

If a child has a physical disability, it may limit their opportunities to engage in activities typical of their age. For example:

• Children with cerebral palsy may have limited mobility, affecting physical development milestones like walking.
• Vision or hearing impairments can interfere with communication and social skill development.

Adapting environments and tools can help children overcome physical barriers.

Premature Birth

Babies born prematurely often have underdeveloped organs or low birth weights. These issues can delay milestones such as sitting or walking.

The time spent in a neonatal unit can also affect attachment with parents, which may delay social and emotional development.

Chronic Illnesses

Conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart problems can create fatigue or limit activity. This can slow physical development and restrict participation in the social and intellectual activities typical for their age group.

Environmental Reasons

Environmental factors refer to circumstances that a child is exposed to in their day-to-day life. These conditions can either support or disrupt development.

Socioeconomic Status

A low-income family may struggle to provide children with the materials or experiences needed for development, such as:

• Access to quality education.
• Nutritious food for healthy physical and cognitive growth.
• Stable housing to provide a safe environment.

Limited financial resources can hinder intellectual and social development because children may not access books, extracurricular activities, or social opportunities.

Exposure to Neglect or Abuse

Children who experience neglect or abuse often exhibit delays in multiple forms of development, such as:

• Emotional: Difficulty forming attachments or trusting adults.
• Cognitive: Struggles with learning and memory due to high stress levels.
• Social: Problems interacting with peers because of isolation or fear.

Neglect and abuse are serious safeguarding concerns requiring swift intervention.

Lack of Stimulation

Development requires stimulation to learn new skills. For instance:

• A child who lives in an environment lacking toys, books, or conversations may fall behind in intellectual and speech development.
• Reduced outdoor activity can limit gross motor development, such as running or climbing.

Parents and carers play a key role in creating enriching environments.

Changes in Family Circumstances

Instability, such as moving house frequently or a parent’s separation, can disrupt emotional and social development through stress or loss of routine.

Poverty and an unstable family life can also affect a child’s ability to attend school or make friends, hindering personal growth.

Psychological and Emotional Reasons

Psychological (mental health) and emotional factors are internal influences that can impact development. These are just as important as physical and environmental causes.

Attachment Issues

Healthy attachments form when caregivers respond to a child’s needs with care and attention. If this doesn’t happen – for example, due to neglect – children may have difficulty trusting others as they grow older.

Poor attachment can delay development in:

• Emotion regulation: Struggling to manage frustrations or sadness.
• Social relationships: Difficulty forming and maintaining friendships.

Anxiety or Depression

Childhood anxiety and depression can develop for various reasons, such as trauma or bullying. Mental health conditions can delay:

• Emotional development, as the child may struggle to discuss or regulate their feelings.
• Social development, as they might withdraw from peers and struggle to form connections.

Emotional Trauma

Experiencing a traumatic event – such as the death of a loved one or witnessing violence – can stop children from meeting developmental milestones. They may behave younger than their age, struggling with speech, play, or independence as they process the emotional impact.

Social Reasons

Development is also shaped by human interaction and exposure to social environments. A lack of interaction can create gaps in key areas of childhood learning.

Peer Relationships

Children who do not have opportunities to interact with peers may struggle in forming social skills. For example:

• Children living in isolated areas may lack experiences like group play or conflict resolution.
• Bullying can lead to social withdrawal, affecting both peer relationships and self-confidence.

Parental Relationships

Parental behaviour greatly influences development. For instance:

• Strict, overprotective parenting can limit independence and physical skills.
• Domestic violence in the home can create fear and anxiety, delaying both psychological and intellectual development.

When parents model healthy communication and problem-solving, children are more likely to thrive socially and emotionally.

Educational Reasons

School environments offer many opportunities for children to learn and grow. But barriers in education can interrupt progress.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

SEN refers to conditions requiring extra help in learning. These include:

• Dyslexia, which affects reading abilities.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), causing difficulties with focus and behaviour.

If schools do not provide proper support, children may not develop key academic skills at the expected rate.

Bullying

Repeated bullying can deter children from attending school or participating in group activities. This contributes to delays in social skills and emotional stability.

Language Barriers

Educational settings can be confusing for children who are learning English as an additional language. This issue can delay communication and understanding of academic work, creating gaps in intellectual development.

Cultural and Community Influences

Cultural and community context plays a role in shaping development for children.

Cultural Expectations

Cultural values about behaviours and milestones can impact how a child develops. For instance:

• One family’s culture may encourage children to stay physically close to caregivers, delaying independence.
• Another culture may stress academic success over physical play, creating differences in gross motor skills.

Professionals working with children must stay respectful of these norms while offering support.

Community Disruption

Living in a community affected by crime or unrest can lead to unstable day-to-day life. This impacts children’s ability to make friends, feel safe, or focus on learning.

Health-Related Reasons

Health conditions – both short-term and long-term – have a direct link to development delays. These issues may be medical or developmental in nature.

Malnutrition

Children need proper nutrition for their bodies and brains to develop. Long-term malnutrition can result in:

• Stunted physical growth.
• Reduced concentration and memory.

Providing healthy meals in schools and communities can help reduce these risks.

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

SPD is a condition where the brain struggles to receive and respond to information from the senses. Affected children might:

• Become overwhelmed by noise or touch, affecting social interactions.
• Struggle to ride bikes or play sports due to poor balance or coordination.

Speech and Language Delays

Some health conditions, such as hearing impairments, can slow down language development. If children cannot hear sounds accurately, they may have difficulty forming words or understanding others.

Intervention, such as speech therapy, can help children catch up with their peers.

Multiple and Combined Factors

In many cases, issues in development are caused by a mix of underlying reasons. For example:

• A child living in poverty who also has a genetic condition may face more significant delays than one experiencing only one of these challenges.
• A child with attachment issues may struggle more if their school does not identify their needs early on.

Understanding these combined factors is essential when providing care and support.

Final Thoughts

It’s never too early to recognise when a child is not meeting developmental milestones. Identifying the cause can lead to effective interventions, such as:

• Referring children to specialists.
• Updating approaches at schools or childcare settings.
• Offering tailored family support.

Professionals working with children should work closely with parents, schools, and health services to address these issues. Early support makes a significant difference.

By being informed and observant, you can help children and young people overcome barriers to development and reach their full potential.