Infant And Child Development Case Study 1 Physical, emotional and social interaction with contact, and nurtured prenatal care is critically important in neurological, physical, sensory, intellectual, cognitive, social and emotional development (Drubach, 2000). Just as babies are born with the instincts for surviving and orienting to their new environment, most parents are programmed to love and respond to their babies cues. The plasticity of the brain has a positive and negative side. Children who receive positive physical, social and emotional interaction are more open to learning and enriching influences. On the other hand, a baby's brain is more vulnerable to developmental problems when their environment is negative due to impoverished or un-nurturing (Berk, 2012). The child I chose to complete my case study on is Spencer Hanson, the five year old white male in kindergarten who has a hard time expressing emotion and lacks gross and fine motor skills. He is a very bright child that is above average in most subjects, but is very dis-organized. Even though Spencer exceeds in math, science and reading, he struggles with keeping his work organized, poor handwriting and sitting still listening during rug time. Spencer has a hard time sitting without falling over into another child's space. He seems to always be in deep thought that distracts him from good listening skills. Spencer was born prematurely with possible exposure to drug abuse and lack of prenatal care from his biological mother. Spencer was adopted by a lesbian couple after being placed in a foster home with his two moms. The two moms focus all their love and attention towards Spencer. The family is upper middle-class Lutheran Christians who live in a safe suburban neighborhood. One of Spencer's moms is a at home mom and the other mom is an ER doctor at the local hospital who works long hours. Both moms try to instill positive social values and encourage him to explore his masculinity. Both moms believe Spencer needs some good male role models in his life. The lives of several children are affect by substance use disorders and lack of prenatal care. Statistics show on average of over 5.1 percent of pregnant women aged 15-44 years have used illicit drugs, and more than 11.4 percent consumed alcohol. Nationwide, over 650,000 children are born each year after prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol. With most be affected with low birth weight, premature and in some cases intensive care (SAMHSA, 2002). This is why I chose Spencer, he was not only exposed to poor prenatal care, possible addiction, dis-attachment from mother and father. This is very common unfortunately, mothers are on drugs while pregnant which in turn has poor prenatal care and loses child to the system. Despite Spencer living in a loving adopted home in a safe middle-upper class suburban community, his prematurity, lack of prenatal care has caused developmental issues and possible Reactive Attachment disorder (RAD). Reactive attachment disorder is a problem with social interaction that occurs when a child's basic physical and emotional needs are neglected, particularly when the child is an infant. Reactive attachment disorder is caused by abuse or neglect of an infant's needs for: emotional bonds with a primary or secondary caretaker, food, physical safety and touching. It is crucial during the early stages of life for parents to bond with their children and when that doesn't happen, the effects are harmful to the child (Hardy, 2007). The bonding becomes weakened and in order for an attachment to form, it is necessary that the caregivers pay much attention to and notice the child's attempts to communicate.
The theories that best fit Spencer's situation are Erickson and Montessori. According to Erickson, individuals gradually shift or change from one psycho-social stage to the other as a result of the process of growth from infancy to maturity. The changes take place through eight stages in the lifespan of an individual. The stage that Spencer fall into is the first stage, though it is the infant stage, the first phase focuses on the basic sense of trust within themselves and their environment. As a newborn Spencer was not able to build that bond with the mother or father so his needs were not satisfies which caused him according to Erickson, to lose the sense of faith regarding the world. With the love and support he receives from both of his moms will eventually build that faith. According to Erickson's theory an individual's personality is developed in stages. One of the main elements of Erikson's psychosocial stage theory is the development of ego identity. Ego identity is the conscious sense of self that we develop through social interaction. The more positive interaction Spencer is exposed to the more his personality will shine. Montessori's theories consist of four stages that spans out about six years in length. Spencer would fit with the first phase and second phase. The first phase focuses on the physiological and psychological nurture and protection. physically and socially limited environment, Environment proportionate to the size and intelligence of the children and a consistent caregiver/teacher/guide, Safety/security, order, consistency as secure base for exploration, opportunities for free and complete sensorial exploration and social interaction with family and friends and opportunities to observe and absorb the elements of material and social culture. The second phase focuses on the security and balance of the family and home as well as the social interactions between other. Physical exercise is tied to purposeful activity and opportunities to explore roles in a fixed society. Spencer does need a male role model to show him the proper role of the male. Is it necessary for a male figure to be present? No, but it helps the child to become more well rounded and balanced. Starting in the prenatal stages, it is a crucial time in the development of the baby. The babies brain is rapidly developing and as a newborn the proper nurturing is what begins to shape the child's personality. As Spencer continues to develop in a loving and secure environment, he can catch up on his gross and fine motor skills as well as learning to express emotions in a positive manner.

References
Berk, L. (2012). Infants, Children, and Adolescents. (7th ed). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon
Grossmann K., & Grossmann K. E. (2005).The Impact of Attachment to Mother and Father at an Early Age on children's psychosocial development through young adulthood. As cited in http://www.excellence-earlychildhood.ca/documents/BulletinVol5No1sep06ANG.pdf
Hardy, L. T. (2007). Attachment theory and reactive attachment disorder: Theoretical perspectives and treatment implications.Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 20(1), 27-39. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/232962773?accountid=27965
Mooney, C. G. (2013). Theories of childhood: An introduction to Dewey, Montessori, Erikson, Piaget & Vygotsky (2nd ed.). St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press. ISBN: 9781605541389
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, SAMHSA. (2002). Pregnant women in substance abuse treatment. The DASIS report Retrieved from: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k2/pregTX/pregTX.htm