GCSE Child Development WJEC

This subject is broken down into 40 topics in 4 modules:

  1. Understanding Pregnancy, Labour, Birth and the Newborn Baby 10 topics
  2. Development and Care of the Child from 0-5 years 10 topics
  3. Factors that Influence Child Development 10 topics
  4. Child Health and Well-being 10 topics
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  • 4
    modules
  • 40
    topics
  • 14,132
    words of revision content
  • 1+
    hours of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Child Development

Understanding Pregnancy, Labour, Birth and the Newborn Baby

Anatomy of the female reproductive system

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Anatomy of the female reproductive system

Section 1: Overview of the Female Reproductive System

  • The female reproductive system is designed for producing eggs (ova), fertilising them, and nurturing the developing foetus during pregnancy.
  • There are both internal and external parts to the female reproductive system.

Section 2: The Ovaries

  • Ovaries are two small almond shaped organs where egg cells (ova) are produced.
  • They also produce two primary hormones: oestrogen and progesterone, which play vital roles in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Section 3: The Fallopian Tubes

  • Attached to each ovary is a Fallopian tube.
  • The purpose of the Fallopian tubes is to guide the egg from the ovaries to the uterus.
  • Fertilisation typically happens in the fallopian tubes.

Section 4: The Uterus

  • The uterus, also called the womb, is where the unborn baby develops.
  • It is lined with a thick lining called endometrium which thickens and sheds during the menstrual cycle.
  • If an egg is fertilised, it implants itself in this lining to develop.

Section 5: The Cervix

  • The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects it to the vagina.
  • During labour, the cervix dilates to allow the baby to pass through.

Section 6: The Vagina

  • The vagina is a muscular canal that extends from the cervix to the external part of the female genitalia, which is known as the vulva.
  • Its role is receiving sperm during sexual intercourse, serving as a birth canal, and providing the passageway for menstrual flow from the uterus.

Section 7: The Menstrual Cycle

  • The menstrual cycle is approximately a 28-day cycle that prepares the female body for pregnancy.
  • It includes the release of an egg (ovulation), thickening of the womb lining (endometrium) for potential pregnancy, and shedding of this lining (the 'period') if no fertilised egg implants itself.

Section 8: Hormones in the Reproductive System

  • The process of ovulation and growth of the endometrium is regulated by a delicate balance of hormones.
  • These include oestrogen and progesterone (produced by the ovaries), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) (produced by the pituitary gland).

By understanding the complex anatomy of the female reproductive system and its key components, you can gain a deep understanding of pregnancy, labour, and birth.

Course material for Child Development, module Understanding Pregnancy, Labour, Birth and the Newborn Baby, topic Anatomy of the female reproductive system

Child Development

Factors that Influence Child Development

Genes and heredity's effect on child development

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Genes and heredity's effect on child development

Genes and Heredity

  • Genes, the basic units of heredity, contain instructions that determine physical and behavioural traits. These include physical characteristics, health conditions, and abilities.
  • Instances where genes can influence child development are eye colour, height and body shape, all of which are directly inherited from parents.
  • Heredity refers to the transmission of genetic characteristics from parents to their offspring.

Genetic Disorders

  • Many genetic disorders can impact child development. For example, Down's syndrome is caused by an additional copy of chromosome 21, influencing physical and mental development.
  • Turner syndrome, caused by a missing or incomplete X chromosome in females, can result in short stature, learning disabilities, and underdeveloped female sexual characteristics.
  • Fragile X syndrome, a genetic disorder causing learning disabilities and cognitive impairment, can affect both physical development and behaviour.

Influences on Intelligence and Personality

  • Genes play a primary role in determining an individual's baseline intelligence.
  • However, genes also interact with environmental factors in complex ways to shape intelligence. The nature vs nurture debate centres around the extent of this interaction.
  • Personality traits, such as extroversion or introversion and emotional stability, can be influenced by genetic factors, though environmental factors play a significant role too.

Impact of Genes on Health

  • Genes can influence the risk of developing certain health conditions, such as heart disease, asthma or diabetes, which could potentially impact a child's development.
  • Certain genetic mutations can increase the likelihood of developing conditions such as cancer. These can be passed from parent to child and may affect a child's growth and development if the condition manifests during childhood.
  • Genes may also influence a child's immune response, affecting how often they fall ill and how they recover from illnesses, thus impacting their development.

To summarise, genes and heredity play a significant role in child development, influencing physical traits, health, intelligence, and personality. However, they do not exclusively determine a child's development; environmental factors also have a considerable impact. It's important to understand that these factors interact in complex ways to shape a child's growth and development.

Course material for Child Development, module Factors that Influence Child Development, topic Genes and heredity's effect on child development

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