Analysis of Timothy's Case Study

PSYC 2700
Child Development Case Study Analysis
Capella University
March, 2014

Analysis of Timothy's Case Study

Timothy’s story is about a sequence, or timeline of events showing how being in a certain environment can help shape a child’s development. Timothy’s behavior from the beginning was a perfect example of how children model after their parents or caregiver. He was exposed to violence at a very young age from his parents, and therefore that was how he learned how to express himself. With his parents out of work and in low paying jobs, the whole family was under a lot of stress. Timothy was spanked as a result of them not dealing with their stress in a constructive way. Even away from home, at an unauthorized daycare, he was subject to spanking. With the family having a limited income, Timothy continued to go to a daycare that was unclean, unhealthy and detrimental to his development. When Timothy started school at a public school he was not prepared. Having had no structure, healthy social interaction or exposure to learning, he was very behind his peers. He had limited experience controlling his emotions and therefore was subject to angry outbursts and an inability to follow the rules. By the time he was eleven years old; he failed a grade and was not able to continue to 6th grade with his peers and was even suspended for instigating a fight. Secure attachment is the term used to support the instance of infants using their parents as a sense of security, or base. This then causes infants to feel relaxed and protected as opposed to fearful and agitated. Parents can foster this healthy attachment relationship through affection and positive interaction. Four factors that can have an impact on security are: “early availability of a consistent caregiver, quality care giving, the