Question 1

Which of the following is a protective factor for children's development?

Accepted Answer

Both a nurturing environment at school and community support for the family are protective factors for children's development. A nurturing environment at school can provide children with positive experiences and relationships with teachers and peers, which can foster their learning and development. Community support for the family can reduce stressors and provide resources for families to meet basic needs, which can contribute to a stable and supportive home environment for children.

Question 2

Why is Bronfenbrenner's ecological model important?

Accepted Answer

Bronfenbrenner's ecological model is important because it takes account of the social context in which children develop. This includes the family, school, peer group, and community. Bronfenbrenner believed that these different contexts interact with each other to influence children's development.

Question 3

How useful are the concepts of 'risk' and 'protective' factors?

Accepted Answer

The concepts of 'risk' and 'protective' factors are useful because they allow us to understand why some children are more resilient than others in response to stress and adversity. The factors that increase a child's risk of negative outcomes (such as poverty, abuse, neglect, etc.) and those that buffer against negative outcomes (such as positive relationships with caregivers, social support networks, etc.) are unique to each child and influence their development and outcomes. It is important to understand these factors in order to design effective interventions and support systems for children and families. Considering only the financial circumstances of the child's family is too narrow a focus and does not capture the complexity of factors that influence child development.

Question 4

The UNICEF Innocenti Report 2010 found that, in comparison with other developed countries, UK children were:

Accepted Answer

The UNICEF Innocenti Report 2010 found that UK children were low in emotional health and well-being compared to other developed countries.

Question 5

Government priorities for young people's health are:

Accepted Answer

The government has identified all three issues (obesity, mental health, and teenage pregnancy) as high-priority areas for addressing young people's health. These issues have significant impacts on the overall health and well-being of young people, and addressing them can help to improve the health outcomes for this population.

Question 6

In the UK, particularly vulnerable groups of young people include:

Accepted Answer

All of the above groups are considered particularly vulnerable in the UK. Young carers may have responsibilities such as caring for a family member, which can impact their education and mental health. Looked-after children are in the care of local authorities and may have experienced trauma or abuse. Children of asylum seekers may face social isolation and uncertainty about their immigration status. All three groups are in need of support and additional resources to ensure their well-being and opportunities for success.

Quiz 1: The Developing Child