Analysis of Keatings Nature and Nurture in Early Child Development - Book Report/Review Example

A Book Report on Keating’s Nature and Nurture in Early Child Development Introduction Perceived to be the only constant thing in this planet, change plays a prominent role in the life of every living creation, no matter how cliché this seems. Many had been thinking over its manipulative tendency, yet there is no way to cease it; life must go on revolving through such certain innovations. Many aspects in life reflected these innovations; one of which is the human innovation. Physical, mental, emotional, social, and all other evidences about human innovations are in the thoughts of Daniel P. Keating written in his compiled book Nature and Nurture in Early Child Development. The book focuses ultimately in the primary years of a man’s life after his birth considering that the moment before one can distinguish a variety of colors, or even before he/she can start to walk, is vital in the holistic human growth (Keating, 2011, p. 1). Additionally, the book presented man’s distinctive living features and caring attributes needed in appreciating one’s tendency to be diverse and unique from others. The objective of this paper is to create relevant discernments between the main points of the book and one’s personal views about the book itself. The Book’s Nature-Nurture Scheme Choosing a book requires the relationship of its contents in the issues or ideas regarding child development; however, it did not just connect but had provided the complete coverage. The book comprises ten chapters all written by experts of their own field. Chapters have focused mainly on the “nature-nurture” scheme making the book appealing in education, as well as in parenting (Keating, 2011, p. 1). Keating (2011) put his mind and edited the book, which aims to attain insight for co-associates, simpler presentations for student-practitioners, and interests for wide-eyed readers. He even pointed out that the book aids as a foresighted reference for futuristic arguments since it has presented a “new paradigm” with an exertion to share accessible knowledge-based ideas to the wider assemblage (p. 2). It also serves as a “basis” in classifying “earliest” procedures and impacts on human advancement (Keating, 2011, p. 3). In the first place, the book has shouted its speck of information in the aforementioned title itself. The title suggests the scheme of “nature-nurture” and how these words carouse an extremely strong impact within a man’s life. Both words created not just the holistic refinement of man that determines how he/she chooses to live, but also the idea that inside and outside forces should work hand-in-hand to achieve fulfillment in man’s overall growth. To identify which among of the two factors significantly affects one’s overall improvement is difficult, yet all of their related events happen mainly at the start of growth and life (Keating, 2011, p. 1). Moreover, human advancement is a process that involves both intuitive characters and nurture-laden actions, a process that takes a longer time than expected. Man’s primer years from being a baby until he/she becomes a toddler and goes to school, tend to be a pivotal stage in life and generate thoughts that time cannot possibly be neglected during the process of growth. Knowing both characteristics, as well as time, is vital in the process that leads to a perfect realization on how significant it is to allocate into the progress of the child. With this, Keating (2011) discerns that giving this a unique centration will help develop judgment on the overall human improvement and create rich realizations on the “nature-nurture paradigm” (pp. 1-3). Contributor’s Cooperative Agenda Keating (2011) emphasizes on dealing with the overall process of holistic human evolution through the “nature-nurture” scheme (p. 1). Grateful to have shared that this idea is feasible, he has made a consideration for those who have no prior thoughts about the two words; thus, giving Rutter (2011) and Barr (2011) an opportunity to explain each concept separately. The thoughts of these two contributors have shown clear explanations that could run into the agreement of Keating’s scheme. Knowing one’s composition is the beginning of appreciating one’s self. If one cannot determine the inherited things within, it is not likely that there will be difficulties in identifying the innovations that are happening in his/her life. According to Rutter (2011), genes and environment influenced the “development” itself. Although people reprehensibly view both as separately influencing the entirety of man, they equally give impact on one’s identity and its transformation (p. 7). Talking about genes and influences of body compositions, Rutter (2011) said that this part of influence is the most flexible one. It is the side where the moment things of the outside forces are new to the entire system, the body brought about inside innovations for it to adapt (p. 8). However, environment affects the impulse of the brain to function at these times; thus, the responsibility of people surrounding an individual in his/her primary years plays an essential role. Thinking about how babies tend to be particularly dependent at this stage of their life, brings the idea that there is already the necessity to acquire things from the outside force. According to Davies (2011), one cannot support himself at an early age; thus, the desire for protection from parents is inevitable (p. 7). Part of man’s adaptability, given that he/she is flexible, shows how to interact with others (Rutter, 2011, p. 13); however, it is in the part of, specifically, the “mother” that shares the love and support needed by the child, an “assumption” that this is also a naturally-born component of the system of any mothers (Barr, 2011, p. 70). Pondered Thoughts about the Book What is delightful about the book is that it creates a step by step glance among things, leading to some realization in the part of the reader. The factors that have produced human innovations and have affected the totality of man are guaranteed to be true, given that contributors and writers know well what they are talking about. The fun part is that the principal author or the editor systematically presents the ideas, making it easy for readers to understand or somehow give their opinions regarding the issue. As stated in the book, teaching the topics is a lot better because of these recently elicited truths for primary “child development” (Keating, 2011, p. 4). Many have tried to run over these book’s ideas; example, according to Talay-Ongan and Ap (2005), the impact of the existing condition acquired from birth has forced the creation of the nurturing quality, which makes the entirety of a person survive in the process, yet somehow the book has managed to interrelate the two (p. 2). Although both were evident in the human growth, to think that living determinants have created the prominent encouraging factors contradicts the notion presented in the book about them, trending on some uncertainties in the ideas. Talking about these compelling ideas, however, bounded their complicated combination more than viewing them individually. According to Keating (2011), both should be in harmony in shaping “developmental” ways and results ranging from one’s physical aspect to behavioral tendencies to competitive thoughts and excelling minds (p. 1). Conclusion Knowing that both inherited features and caring attitudes from the environment are indistinguishable is also necessary in learning how to treat these two compelling ideas rightfully. Hence, it is also beneficial to give equal acceptance to both. The book has presented the basis to determine human innovations in such a way that people interested to trace his/her attitudes’ origin, can easily find a way to start their quest. Some, who are also studying human behavior, can get fresh ideas on finding connections from people’s past and present actions and be able to suggest some prevention. References Barr, R. G. (2011). Mother and child: Preparing for a life. In D. P. Keating (Ed.), Nature and nurture in early child development (pp. 70-96). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Davies, D. (2011). Child development: A practitioner’s guide (3rd ed.). New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Keating D. P. (Ed.). (2011). Nature and nurture in early child development. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Rutter, M. (2011). Biological and experiential influences on psychological development. In D. P. Keating (Ed.), Nature and nurture in early child development (pp. 7-44). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Talay-Ongan, A., & Ap, E. A. (2005). Child development and teaching young children. Victoria, AU: Thomson/Social Science Press. Read More