Child Development | Writing for Academic IELTS PDF Download

The essay is about the factors that affect the way that children develop.

This is the question:
Q. Some people think that the main factors influencing a child’s development these days are things such as television, friends, and music. Others believe that the family still remains more important. Discuss both opinions and give your opinion.

Hint:

• The factors that you need to discuss are:
  • Social factors (such as television, music and freinds)
  • The family
• Which do you think has the biggest impact on a child as they grow up?
• In this essay you have to discuss two opinions and give your opinion. The best way to do this is to dedicate one body paragraph to each opinion.
• But however you organise it, you must make sure you do these three things:
  • Discuss the first opinion
  • Discuss the second opinion
  • Give your opinion

Sample Answer

• While parents obviously play a major role in the way that their child develops as they get older, many people believe that social factors outside of the family now influence children much more. This essay will examine both sides of the argument.
• There is no doubt that there are factors external to the family that significantly impact on a child’s development.  For example, there is television and the internet. Children these days have access to these much more than they used to in the past, and they will pick up language and see things that will teach them about life. Friends also have an important influence as a child will often copy peers that they admire and respect. This could be positive behaviour but it could also be negative, such as smoking or taking drugs.
• Ultimately, however, it is family who have the most important impact. Children spend nearly all of their time with their family, especially in their early years. They develop their confidence, socialisation skills, morals, values and views on life through their interaction with them. Proof of the importance of this can be seen in the differences between some children. Those that grow up in a dysfunctional home often eventually have problems themselves, whilst those that are brought up in a warm and close environment end up more confident and secure in adult life.
• To conclude, it is the family that can provide a supportive, secure, and nurturing environment, which is crucial to the way in which a child becomes an adult. Although it is clear that social factors play a part, I would argue that it is the former that is the most important.