Citation:

TEDxUCLA. “What is the most important influence on child development | Tom Weisner. YouTube, 15 Aug. 2016https://youtu.be/gIZ8PkLMMUo?si=dHaA5Br-dg6DeOwO

Summary:

In this 8 minutes 42 seconds TED Talk by Tom Weisner, he presented his research and teaching focus on human development and culture; families and children in danger; and evidence-based policymaking to enhance the quality of life for kids and families. In addition to studying the effects of rural-urban migration on children and parents in Kenya, he has also studied the effects of sibling caretaking and education in Hawaii, non-parental and sibling caretaking worldwide, families with children with autism in Delhi, India, supports for working poor families in Wisconsin, families with children with disabilities in Los Angeles, hippie and counterculture families and children in California, and gratitude and school achievement among Latino adolescents and families in Los Angeles. 

Reflection:

In a whole honest opinion, I agreed with Weisner’s view and words he had in this TED Talk. The environment in which a person grows up influences how they develop personally in terms of their values, beliefs, and attitudes. An individual’s view on different elements of life is substantially influenced by the cultural norms, traditions, and family structures that are common in that location. Someone’s lifestyle can be significantly influenced by the social milieu in which they are raised. Urban locations frequently support varied communities that are more exposed to different cultures, beliefs, and viewpoints. One’s perspectives can be expanded, “tolerance can be encouraged, and cosmopolitan lifestyles can be adopted as a result of this exposure to variety.” Weisner was talking about what influenced a child’s development which could be this. 

Quotation:

  • “ 00:00 The most important thing in child development is providing attachment security, good nutrition, stimulation, a religious or spiritual pathway, and resources for the child’s future.

  • 01:24 The most important influence on child development is the context in which the child and its family are living, including factors such as the family, neighborhood, community, and nation.

  • 02:20 Children’s development is influenced by their context and cultural differences, and understanding this can help improve their well-being globally.”