How Does Culture Influence a Child’s Cognitive Development?

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The society is an encompassing entity that runs down from one generation to the next. We are exposed to culture right from the time of birth. A child is subjected to cultural values and practices way before school going age. Different environments instill slightly different cultural inputs. This accounts for different education policies even in very close neighboring countries. 

Let’s delve on to how culture influences a child's cognitive development. 

Language and learning 

Language plays an essential role in shaping a child's cognitive development. Language forges how children behave, learn, receive, and interpret information. Language acts as the main source of transmitting knowledge. Development of language skills gives the child a platform to gather everything possible in cultural values and practices. 

The ability to communicate effectively with the teacher and colleagues fosters a child’s cognitive development. Language barrier in school may slow down a child's learning speed, but it does not slow down the learning capability of a child. 

The Concept of Authority and Cognitive Development 

Culture encompasses the whole community if not the whole generation. The family is the basic unit of the community. The authority exercised by the parent at home shapes how the child gets to interact with the teacher and other figures in authority. 

Some cultural backgrounds do not welcome extensive dialogue between the young and the elderly. When this culture is extended to school, children focus more on memorizing content since they do not ask the teacher questions. 

Effects of Culture on Attitude towards Subjects Preference 

Cultural background affects how students receive different subjects at school. The daily routine activities that a child is subjected to tend to shape a child's subject preferences. Some children are exposed to handy crafts, while others are exposed to narratives. 

Different countries also tend to emphasize particular subjects and courses. The apprentice skills of different backgrounds affect how a child attains practical skills. The interaction with elders also shapes the subject preference of a child. 

How Spiritual Culture Affects Cognitive Development 

The drafting of religious studies syllabus requires the help of religious leaders and religious specialists. They help the drafting body to decide on the content which should be included in the curriculum. The set guidelines expose children in particular environments to standard methods of instructions by their religious teachers. 

Further interaction with spirituality will affect a child's cognitive development: the religious leaders and the doctrines taught by a particular religion challenge a child towards different paths. Muslims, for example, are more intrigued by architectural and science-oriented subjects. 

Familial Effects on Cognitive Development 

Parents differ in the methods of inculcating culture. Some parents, spank their children a lot. This tends to make learning hard without getting the teacher's spanking occasionally.

Some families appreciate reading culture while others love the mathematical subjects. The values, skills and attitudes instilled from earlier days determine how a child approaches different learning subjects and situations. 

The question of how does culture influence a child’s cognitive development digs deep into how society at large affects the learning process. Parents, classmates and teachers have the center stage in shaping how a child learns. Every child interacts with the world differently. 

How do you make a really good paper airplane?

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The picture most individuals have of a paper airplane is a badly folded sheet of paper that floats lazily around a classroom. The elementary design has been there for years, and it is now an easy task to craft a paper airplane that can dash around at high speed and cover almost an equal distance as an excellent flying saucer fling. All it requires is a few minutes and a composed hand. Search for a sturdy piece of paper, make tight, create accurate folds and observe your airplane sail. However, making a real good paper airplane goes through the following steps.

Folding the Airplane 

1. Begin with a flat sheet of sturdy paper. Lay your paper on a flat surface and ensure that it doesn’t have any wrinkles, creases, or folds as they can compromise the ability of the complete airplane to fly. 

2. Fold your paper in half along its length, and spread. Put the paper longitudinally and fold it over the middle. Align the corners at the bottom and top. Apply pressure on the fold to make the crease tight. Next, spread the paper so that the ridge faces downwards, with the paper forming a slight ‘V’ shape. 

3. Fold the upper corners of the paper to form a big triangle at the upper part of the paper. Fold both edges of the paper until they align with the center fold. Run a thumbnail on the creases to keep them in place. 

4. Fold down the big triangle. Fold down the triangle formed by folding the corners. The paper will now look like an envelope, with a square base and a triangular top that points down at the bottom of the paper. 

5. Fold in the corners so that they meet in the center. Fold the top corners towards the inside until they become even with the center fold. Avoid overlapping the previous fold to expose a small part of the triangular tip below the new fold. You can let this triangular tip to be around 2.5 centimeters long. 

6. Fold up the small triangular tip. Fold the small triangle bottom up and above the angled folds to make them intact. Ensure that the tip of the small triangle aligns with the center crease. The fold is crucial as it enables the airplane to maintain its shape and plays a role in balancing it when on air. 

7. Fold out the paper to make the body of the paper airplane. Now, fold the whole paper outward from the center, towards the opposite direction from the one you made your center crease. The triangular fold will be at the bottom of the new fold and will assist in providing weight and stability of the plane. At this point, you should be able to determine the size and shape of your final plane. 

8. Make a final fold to create the wings. Put the paper on one side and fold the top fold until the top corner aligns with the bottom of the plane. Turn over the plane and fold the opposite side. That will form the wings of the airplane. Apply pressure on the creases so as to make them firm. Your plane is now complete. 

How children can motivate themselves to do well in school

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Doing well in academics is every child’s dream. Let’s face it; no child wants to be a failure in the eyes of their parents. A child’s academic excellence is the pride and joy of any parent, guardian, or teacher that teaches them. When it comes to education, (everyone; from parents, teachers to students) knowing how children can motivate themselves to do well in school is integral to academic success. There are several ways in which children can motivate themselves to do well in school and they include the following: 

Consult a teacher 

No one knows your strengths and limitations more than your teacher. This makes them uniquely qualified to help you do well in school. Take a moment of your time and sit down with your teacher and come up with strategies that best suit you. 

Teachers were once students like you, and they can relate to what you’re going through most of the time. Teachers also know a lot more than you do and have a wealth of knowledge at their disposal that any child can gain from. 

Seek feedback 

As a child, you’re often likely to seek validation in what you do. It helps build your self-confidence and deepens the bond between you, your teachers and parents. Try getting as much feedback as you can, as it will help you keep track of your accomplishments. Feedback will also help you know whether you are improving or not. 

Learn to organize 

Create a timetable, keep track of your assignments and homework deadlines. You will perform better if you complete your homework early than wait for a last-minute rush. In addition, give yourself time to relax, play games and do any house chores that need your attention. Organizing yourself ensures you properly utilize your time. 

Be positive 

The last thing you want to do as a child is to worry about being reprimanded every time you underperform. Worrying works up your anxiety levels every time you are faced with a challenge, and you will most certainly end up failing. Instead, try and understand that failing is still part of the learning process, and you should learn from your mistakes rather than wallow in shame. 

Expand your reading 

Reading is one of the best ways to gain knowledge. Get a membership card for the school or public library and make good use of it. Read and borrow as many books as you can, and they shouldn’t all necessarily be related to your subjects. Read outside your syllabus to increase your knowledge. 

Pursue your interests 

Some children develop interests outside their curriculum. This makes learning more fun. As you explore subjects that captivate your mind, it helping your grow with knowledge as you challenge yourself by answering questions related to the topics you’re interested in. 

Join a study team 

Sometimes what you need is another likeminded friend(s) that will push you to do your best even when you feel down. 

Focus on the ‘now’ rather than the future 

The last thing you want to do is worry about what the future holds. Stressing about the future puts a lot of pressure on your performance instead of focusing on the learning aspect. Work on your current performance and the future will be yours for when you get there. 

In conclusion, doing well in school can be a daunting endeavor. As a child you tend to mostly focus on the performance aspect of education when you should be concentrating on the learning. The path to academic success is straightforward and with the right approach, all you have to do is simply follow it. 

Factors That Contribute To Poor Early Childhood Development

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Due to the increased childhood mortality rates over the last decades, there has been an increase in the focus on child development. Approximately 200 million children worldwide fail to meet their development potential due to the following factors. 

Poor Nutrition 

Inadequacy of important minerals like iodine in the diet of a child affects the development process. Lack of sufficient iodine in the diet leads to poor cognitive development, stunted growth, and preventable mental impairment in children. 

Iron is necessary for mental and physical development. Anemia is caused by inadequate iron; it results in impaired motor development in young children. Inadequate breastfeeding denies the child essential irons for development. 

Unfavorable Environment 

Some environments are prone to diseases that are lethal to the development of a child. Cerebral malaria causes severe brain damage, which may lead to neurological impairment. Malaria leads to loss of appetite, decreased activity, and poor development of the child. 

Also, studies report cases of higher cognitive function in a child living in a motivating environment. Inadequate stimulation and few learning opportunities like libraries, community study halls and security produce children with shortcomings in cognitive development. 

Poor Maternal-Child Interactions 

Maternal mental health contributes to early childhood growth and development. Mothers who are regularly depressed interact with their children in a way that often leads to poor cognitive development and social development. Depression during pregnancy also affects the child. 

Children born of young mothers are likely to suffer from under-nutrition, low birth weight and poor cognitive development. Mothers who are not well educated are more likely to take their role in the development of the child for granted. This endangers the child’s developmental process. 

Poor Parenting Skills 

A parent needs to know how to handle their child. Being overprotective makes the child over-dependent on their parents. Most parents are not equipping their children with the skills they need to survive independently. Parents are busy hunting for money and overlooking the role of parenthood. Failure to invest time in a child’s initial developmental stages is likely to affect the child negatively. 

Lack of Enough Physical Exercise 

The current generation of children prefers playing video games behind closed doors. A blend of indoor and outdoor gaming helps in a child’s development. A child does not need to perform rigorous workouts. Just let the child have enough time to play outdoors with friends. Inadequate exercises weaken the immune system of a child. Resulting illnesses further affect the development of a child. 

Inadequate Sleep 

Sleep is essential for sustaining the good health of a child. Children should sleep for not less than the recommended hours for healthy growth. Lack of enough sleep endangers the cognitive and physical development of a child. Slowed development of the brain slows down how the child learns and how the child grows. Sleep also relieves the child of unnecessary stress. 

Poor Reinforcement of Activities 

Teaching a child goes a long way than just pointing to one direction and walking away. Some teachers and parents do not make an effort to make a follow up on the learning progress of a child. Studies show that failure to reinforce recently learned content hastens the forgetting process. 

Factors that contribute to poor early childhood development are more extrinsic and beyond the child’s control. The government, parents and other stakeholders should take more action in helping achieve healthy growth and development in children. Missing getting things right at this initial stage is a recipe for failure in the future. Failure that could be irreversible. It is therefore in the interest of guardians of kids to understand some of these factors. 

Why school uniforms are good and bad

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Wearing school uniforms has become a controversial issue because some people feel uniforms are good while others feel they should be allowed the freedom to wear what they want to wear in a school. There is a big rift between school uniform supporters and those against them. Here are some reasons why school uniforms are good and bad:

Why school uniforms are good: 

1. Equality

A school uniform creates a sense of equality among students and also makes every student feel equal. Uniforms prevent students from being too judgmental on what they wear and make them look the same and equal. Uniforms also make everyone equal and deals with the issue of whether students are from a poor or rich family because, with uniforms, they all look the same. 

2. Uniforms enhance student self-esteem

School uniforms are good for students who are not well-off or who are from low-income families because uniforms will give a student an important reminder that they are all the same. Also, uniforms will help to enhance students’ self-esteem; hence students will feel more confident. School uniforms also helps those students from a low-income family to concentrate on their studies without worrying about being bullied because of the clothes they wear. Wearing a uniform helps a student to think positively about themselves and behave accordingly. 

3. Identification of students

Uniforms may be necessary for identification of students because if a student is lost, runs away from school and is in a school uniform, they can be easily identified. Most schools have different and unique uniforms that helps them to keep track of their students. Uniforms help one to identify which school one belongs to and prevent outsiders coming into the school. 

Why uniforms are bad: 

1. Limits self-expression

Most teens and kids use the way they dress to express themselves and therefore they feel wearing a uniform limits them on self-expression. Some students express themselves through fashion and also distinguish themselves from other groups without uniforms. Students feel that wearing a specific type of shoes and stylish clothes allows them to express themselves more freely. On the contrary uniforms will limit them from expressing their personality. 

2 Uncomfortable

Most students feel that uniforms are very uncomfortable and they want to wear what they feel comfortable with. Some children are sensitive to a particular material and uncomfortable wearing one type of clothing every time. Some girls do not like wearing skirts or dresses which most uniform designs conform to, so they end up feeling uncomfortable. Some uniform designs are very uncomfortable when the temperature is high, and others when it is cold. 

3. Costly

Most schools specify a certain manufacturer where you should buy the uniform to ensure uniformity, but it can be costly. Unlike in a school where uniforms are not required parents spend little money on their children’s clothing. Also, school uniform is expensive because some schools require students to have a variety of uniforms: some for games, daily wear and uniforms for other school activities and events. 

It is thus evident that wearing of school uniforms by students is both beneficial and disadvantageous to them and their parents. Most schools will however, prefer their students to wear a uniform while in school. It is up to parents and educational institutions to weight the pros and cons and evaluate these within the context where they operate.  

Why is Montessori education not good for your child?

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Montessori education is a challenging system that was developed in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori, who was an Italian physician. She believed that children learn best by their interest. Surprisingly, this form of education has been used in various parts of the world for more than 100 years. Some parents prefer this education method because their children are taught individually, grouped according to their ages, and learn based on a more practical approach. However, this educational method may not be good enough for your child due to the following reasons: 

Children have too much freedom

Montessori education believes that discipline is not instilled in a child by the teacher, but it comes from the child himself. As a result, children are allowed to learn anything at any time they feel like. This may affect them in places where rules and regulations are strictly followed. Besides, most children are between the ages 1 to 14, at this age group, most of them are not self-driven and cannot make well-informed decisions with their life. 

Too much individualism

Each child learns individually whereby a child has one-on-one interaction with his/her teacher and works on his/her own. Typically, this may make your child to develop poor social skills, unable to co-operate well in teamwork, especially at the workplace in the future. As a result, your child may become an introvert due to lack of socialization. Besides, hyper-social or hyperactive children may find it hard to work individually. 

Your child may find it hard to adapt to other forms of education

Generally, this may be because of the vast differences between Montessori school and traditional schools. Your child may find it hard to adapt to many things such as doing tests, learning obligatory subjects, strictly following school rules, doing teamwork projects, socializing with others, and many other activities. In some cases, your child may also develop some emotional or mental trauma due to the huge change.

You cannot easily know your child’s progress

Montessori schools focus more on a practical approach while traditional schools are more test oriented. One cannot easily identify if your child is at-pack with other children unlike in traditional schools where if a child is a slow learner, the tests will show and special attention given to the child.

It is expensive

Most Montessori schools are hardly cheap because they spend a lot of money in purchasing high-quality learning materials, employing high skilled teachers, utilizing one-to-one teaching methods, and they also use of a lot of furniture in setting up a classroom. 

There is no structured syllabus

Montessori education is based on a child's learning path, and as a result, a majority of students may not have interest in learning essential subjects (for example, Mathematics) which is very important in their future studies. Consequently, they may not be well prepared for their desired career journey.

The takeaway

Despite this education being highly regarded, Montessori education does not prepare your child to survive in the real world. Basically, it’s essential that our children get the education that best suits them and one that will help them find success in life. This puts Montessori education at a disadvantage because it emphasizes on working individually while the real world involves working together as a team. 

What to do when a child gets injured at school

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The most important thing for any parent is the safety and happiness of their child. Sometimes it's easy to make a child happy, as an ice cream cone or a trip to the zoo can make all the difference between a good day and a great one. Unfortunately, it's not as easy to guarantee your son or daughter's safety. With each year that passes, your child becomes more and more comfortable experiencing the world on their own. While most of their experiences are positive, some can be unpleasant or even harmful. Kids are curious and are at high risk of several different types of accidents, indoors and outside. When your kids come home from school with broken bones, bruises, and other forms of injuries, you may not know what to do. The following are ideas on what to when a child gets injured at school: 

1. Was it really an accident?

One of the first things to determine is whether or not the injuries were sustained in an unexpected incident or if it was intentional. Intentional injuries may occur when kids fight or due to bullying episodes. Harassment can also be considered intentional if it results in an injury. If your kid got the injury as a result of another kid at school, the child's parents should be ultimately held responsible. If the injuries were sustained in a fight, the child might have to harbor some of the responsibility as well. 

2. Talk to your child.

When a child suffers an injury from someone else, he/she may not be open about the situation due to fear of reprisal. Make your child understand he/she is not in any kind of trouble for being injured. Based on your child's story, you may know about the circumstances that led to the incident and if it was preventable. 

3. Seek medical attention.

Take your child to a hospital if the kid has sustained severe injuries. Be open to your pediatrician and tell your child to give an honest account of what happened while in school. The doctors are trained to look for abuse signs, violence and child negligence. 

4. Speak with the school.

Let the school explain to you what happened to your child. Listen to the stories from both sides. If there are inconsistencies between the teacher and your child, then it's nice to seek an attorney's advice. 

5. Contact a lawyer if you are suspicious

If you are suspicious that your child may have suffered the injuries due to the negligence of his/her teacher, then you should consult an attorney. Working with kids may be hard, especially when they fear punishments if they tell the truth. An attorney will help continue with the investigation and help you with any legal action that you should take against the school. 

Injuries that are sustained at school should be dealt with as soon as possible. Before the incident becomes too difficult to remember, have the child provide all the details to the lawyers. Depending on the results and circumstances and of the incident, legal action may be necessary. As your child is under eighteen, it is your responsibility to research, locate, and consult a sympathetic and knowledgeable lawyer. An injury attorney can help you and your child along the recovery process.

What to do when your child refuses to do homework

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Many students don’t like doing homework and keep on postponing. It may be due to the complexity of the educational system or the vastness of the study books and the amount of homework thrust upon students. As a result, many students procrastinate on their homework and try to drag it as much as possible hence end up not doing it. Both teachers and parents find this type of attitude from kids irksome and unhealthy and always want to do something to correct the situation. 

It is your duty as a parent to ensure your kids do their homework without procrastinating. Parents can follow the methods mentioned below to wipe out procrastination in their kids and help them in the successful completion of their homework. 

Setting a schedule

If parents set a regular schedule for homework and instruct their kids to follow it, they ease their work, and children also make it a habit to sit for their work at a particular hour at home. It becomes an everyday routine and once they get used to this routine, kids do not move out of it whatever the circumstances. 

Enforce doing homework positively

Instead of punishing children for postponing doing their homework, it is advisable to follow methods which impose a positive outlook on children about homework. They can give out small incentives to children after they complete their homework. You can allow your kids to watch TV or play a game, if they are through their work on or before time. Such positive encouragement will make kids have more enthusiasm during homework hours. 

Parents as models

If parents do some useful educational activity when kids work at home, they will find it peaceful and inviting to do their work. Furthermore, parents can set a regular pattern of work for them to do during homework hours. Kids will follow their parents and sit for their work while parents do their job. 

Avoiding distractions

Children need a conducive environment for doing homework. A noisy environment deviates kids from their homework. Hence, parents should avoid chatting with others, watching TV, using phones, or indulging in any of such activity which will distract kids and dissuade them from their work. Instead, they can wait patiently until the kids complete their work and they can enjoy watching or listening to music together. 

Make your kids accept their mistakes

Many children stall their homework out of fear, thinking that they will not be able to do well and complete the task. Once parents understand that the children can be afraid of their mistakes, they can encourage them to accept mistakes and appreciate the fact that errors are better than not doing their work. With time, students rectify their errors and carry on with their homework without hassle. 

Homework has turned out to be a chore nowadays due to the complexity of the educational process. Parents can avoid this syndrome through regular schedules, positive enforcement, encouraging kids to accept mistakes and setting themselves as models for doing work before kids.

What to do when your child is hanging out with the wrong crowd

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Your kid may end up with the wrong crowd due to peer pressure. He may end up acquiring certain attitudes to fit into that crowd. As a parent, you may feel powerless in such a situation, but you are the best solution your kid has while in such a situation. The following are ideas on what to do when your child is hanging out with the wrong crowd: 

1. Intervene with love

Your kid might falter either in decision-making or being assertive, and it's your job as a parent to step in. As a parent, you should instill values in your kids which will help them to make the right decision while in difficult situations. Parents should take stiffer measures in instances where the child is engaging in harmful behaviors regularly. You can avoid a crisis if you intervene early enough, making your kids feel valued and loved unconditionally. This can give them the ability to beat the wrong crowd easily. 

2. Support and celebrate uniqueness

Allow your children to have the experience which makes them different. Your kid should have self-respect, know he/she is exceptional and able to communicate and interact with people. They should be able to use imagination to reach their full creative potential. When your child is in the wrong crowd, try to build them, which will in turn help your kid with ample opportunity and parental support. Your kid will find what interests them and follow it. This will eventually help them to avoid the wrong crowd. 

3. Face the fears

Explain to your kid how to withstand the wrong crowd; this will teach them a valuable lesson. Help them face their fears for when they are about to get ridiculed or lose a friend. Explain to them how it's challenging to go against some practices everyone else is doing, but how standing out can help in developing courage, confidence, and maturity. 

4. Promote self-respect

Encourage your kid to develop their interests and talents, which will make them less vulnerable. Help them build their self-esteem by encouraging them to develop a hobby, a part-time job, or do social work. These activities help in discouraging boredom and also introduces them to peers of the same interests. You should ask for your children's opinions and help them achieve what they believe in. 

5. Knowing their rights

Children should realize that they have the right to say "no" to the wrong crowd and the right to determine what's "cool" for them. Help your kids to identify their goals and values in life so they can stay true to what's important to them. Your kid may be tired of hearing a No from their parent, but the same advice by their fellow kid may result in a great outcome, hence you can ask a youth leader to talk to your kid. 

Making friends is a complex skill which your child may take time to learn. You should be prepared for the highs and lows of childhood friendships and encourage your child to try again when something goes wrong. If you are not in it, you can't win it. 

What are some signs that your kids hate their teacher?

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Is it possible that your kid can hate their teacher? The answer is yes! It is very normal. Kids are just like adults who can hate their teacher even when the teacher is not considered ‘bad' by other kids. It all depends on how the teacher treats that particular child. Some children will hate their teacher from the first impression. 

Even if the kid has a genuine reason to hate the teacher, you should find out how to help the child because they should not live with the pain of hatred. But how can you know that she/he hates their teacher? Here are some signs: 

1. When the child keeps complaining about a teacher

Does your kid keep complaining about their teacher? It is not normal for a kid to live in complaints. A parent is the first friend of their child. The teacher should be the second friend. Some signs will tell you that the child somehow hates the teacher. For instance, if they keep complaining that the teacher always picks them to answer difficult questions in class or that the teacher punishes them without any mistake, then it could mean that the two are not getting along. They might hate the teacher. 

2. Nothing positive about the teacher comes from the mouth of the child

It is fun to find a child praising their teacher once they are home. That is one way of knowing that the child loves the teacher. If they don’t like the teacher, they will still talk about it. Children are just children. They can't lack what to say. If they talk only negative stuff about a teacher, then it could mean that they hate the teacher. For instance, if they describe the physique of the teacher in a dark light, it is a sign that they hate the mentioned teacher. 

3. Refusing to do homework given by the teacher

I guess you have known by now that you should not use force to make your kid do their homework. Homework is simply some form of an extended school back at home. If they enjoy being in school, they should as well enjoy doing their homework at home. However, if you realize that they are never willing to do their homework, it means that they are possibly linking their negative perception of the teacher to their homework. 

4. Reports that the kid keeps sleeping in class

It could be you have other kids studying with your child in the same school. You can engage them and ask them how their schooling life is. If they report that your child keeps sleeping when a given teacher comes to class, it is a red alarm that she could be hating the teacher. Even the teachers themselves can complain to you about the sleeping character of a child in class. You can also look at their notes. You cannot fail to know if your child has a sleeping habit. However, not every time will the sleeping show hatred, but in most cases, it is. 

5. He or she never answers questions

It is not every time a child fails to answer a question in class means they do not have an answer. At times they are just tired or bored with the presence of the teacher. If the teacher complains to you that your child never answers questions in class, you should not be fast to blame the child. Maybe she does love the presence of the teacher and anything that relates to the teacher. This is a sign that the child hates the teacher. 

While children may show different signs which reveal their relationship with their teacher, it is also important to look at other external factors which could be affecting a child’s overall behavior at school. Some reasons are beyond the scope of the school and could even originate for home. Parents should be keen on these too.