Impacts on Eary Emotional Development

I chose to research the Latin American and Caribbean region because Argentina is one of my favorite places and I'm always ready to learn more about it. 

Among the issues affecting the development of children in this area are chronic malnutrition and violence.  Children who are malnourished are unable to learn because their bodies are forced to focus on meeting the most minimal standards for survival.  It is obvious that when a child is malnourished there are problems with physical development, but it is also true that social-emotional development suffers.  Using the too-small about of nutrients that these children receive to perform basic bodily functions leaves nothing left over for learning how to form relationships. 

The Latin American and Caribbean region is also a violent area.  According to the website, nearly 70 percent of women in this region are the victims of violence, 50 percent of those are acts of sexual violence.  Children living around so much violence grow up without witnessing many strong, loving relationships and therefore do not know how to have one.  As we have learned in various reading for this course, what children see is often as, if not more, important that what we tell them.  Witnessing violence, even if you are not a victim, leaves a lasting impression.

As with most of the assignment I have done in this course, I am reminded of how important it is to provide children with positive experiences early in life.  We can not expect children to grow into competent, responsible adults if we do not give them the tools to do so.  These tools include adequate nutrition, healthcare, and a safe environment.