• INFLUENCE OF MATERNAL AGE AND CHILD’S BIRTH FACTORS ON THE LATER COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF PUPILS IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS

   

 INFLUENCE OF MATERNAL AGE AND CHILD’S BIRTH FACTORS ON THE LATER COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF PUPILS IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background to the Study

Child development entails the biological, psychological and emotional changes that occur in human beings between birth and the end of adolescence as the individual progresses from dependency to increasing autonomy (Awana, 2012). It is a continuous process with a predictable sequence yet having a unique course for every child. Cognitive development specifically in the field of study in neuroscience and psychology for focusing on a child’s development in terms of information processing, conceptual resources, perceptual skill, language learning and other aspects of brain development.

In a relative study, Piaget (1996) had put the study on cognitive development in stages starting with the sensorimotor, preoperational concrete operational and the formal operational stages. The whole stages all depend on one factor to be successful. A lot of factors arising from the parents as well as the environment do influence how well children develop cognitively. In their work, Eneh and Nkang (2011) saw cognitive development as intellectual development and state that it is characterized by the increasing ability to grasp relationships, solve difficult problems, use abstract reasoning, deal remember events, use language effectively in communication and use past experience to solve present and future problems (Denga, 2011). Ekerus (2009) saw cognitive development as a process of perceiving, learning, thinking, concept formation and problem-solving.

As stated earlier, many factors are known to influence growth and development generally at the prenatal and postnatal stages of development. Specifically, this research work considers some pre-natal variables such as pregnancy order, birth type, birth weight, gestational age of the mother, infant disease and feeding style of the baby at birth. Although other factors that are postnatal do have great effects or influence on the child’s cognitive development, they are seen as being secondary. Therefore, the researcher at the discovery of the above factors seek to research to reveal the influence of maternal age, child’s weight and birth type on the child’s late cognitive development with emphasis on pupils in primary schools in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

1.2     Statement of Problem

The fact that there is no stipulated age for one to become a mother is great and has been given concern by researchers within and outside Nigeria cannot be overlooked. This lack of stipulated dates does not mean that a girl child of very tender age should be put in the family maybe anyone. The age eighteen is at least the expected age that one should be married depending on how developed or matured the girl is. Also, the age thirty-five (35) as seen in many research works is said to be an advanced maternal age. Eneh and Nkang (2011) observed that the age of the pregnant woman is very crucial in determining the healthy growth and development of the child.

Very young mothers below the age of eighteen (18) tend to have problems and difficult labour which may result in maternal and child mortality. It is a well-known fact in Nigeria that, child marriage is not legal as such had resulted in most child mothers in Beside Vaginal Fistula (VVF) and many dead especially where there is no knowledge of cesservas section (cs). The age, health and the parental condition of a mother determined to a great extent the level to which the child would develop cognitively. Thus, the problem identified in this study are stated below:

(i)      Most mothers are too young to give birth to children thereby suffering delayed labour such that can later have an effect on the child.

(ii)     Some newborn babies loss weight due to the antenatal advice given to mothers to ensure safe delivery of the babies.

(iii)    The birth type most times (e.g. C.S.) are not known by some younger mothers who stand the risk of normal delivery.

(iv)    Advance maternal age does have a negative effect on the baby.

1.3     Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of the study is to examine the influence of maternal age and child’s birth factors on the later cognitive development of pupils in public primary schools in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.

(1)     To examine the influence of maternal age on the child’s later cognitive development.

(2)     To examine the influence of a child’s birth weight on later cognitive development.

(3)     To ascertain the influence of birth type on the child’s later cognitive development.

(4)     To examine the influence of breastfeeding type on the child’s later cognitive development.

(5)     To examine the joint influence of maternal age, child’s weight and birth type on child’s later cognitive development.

1.4     Significance of the Study

The findings of this study would be of importance to pupils, parents, teachers, educational administrators, as well as curriculum planners, would benefit in the under listed ways.

Pupils studying at the primary schools would understand themselves as a result of the sex education clearly spelled out in this research. Parents would by the help of this study understand their responsibilities in taking proper care of their children not giving concern to whether they are male or female.

The teachers teaching in both public and private schools would know their roles in giving proper sex education to pupils.

Educational administrators would be watchful and observance to avoid having the teacher abuse the pupils under their care. They would guide their teachers and other workers to proper sexual behaviour.

The general public would understand that the neglect on the part of pupils, parents, teachers, and elders would cause serious immorality in the home, school or society at large.

1.5     Research Questions

These questions were asked and used as a guide in the course of this research work.

1.       To what extent does maternal age influence a child’s later cognitive performance?

2.       To what extent does the child’s birth weight influence his/her later cognitive performance?

3.       To what extent does the birth type of a child influence his/her later cognitive performance?

4.       To what extent does the breastfeeding type of a child influence his/her later cognitive performance?

5.       To what extent do the joint influence of maternal age, child’s birth weight, and birth type affect their cognitive performance?

6.       To what extent does the child’s gestational age influence his/her later cognitive performance?

1.6     Research Hypotheses

H0₁:  There is no significant influence of maternal age on the child’s cognitive performance.

H0₂:  There is no significant influence on a child’s birth weight on his/her cognitive performance.

H0₃: There is no significant influence of birth type on pupils cognitive performance.

H0₄: There is no significant influence of breastfeeding type on pupils cognitive performance.

H0₅ There is no significant influence of gestational age on child’s later cognitive performance

H0₆ There is no significant influence of the joints effect of maternal age, child’s birth weight and birth type on the child’s later cognitive performance.

1.7     Limitation of the Study

The only limitation of the study was that lack of reference material. Difficulties were encounter while trying to collect the biodata of pupils in the local primary health center

1.8     Scope of Delimitation of the Study 

The scope of this study was limited to influence of maternal age on the child’s later cognitive performance, child’s birth weight and birth type on the child’s later cognitive performance of pupils in thirty-four (34) public schools in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.

The study was further limited to the gestational age of the mother and feeding style of the babies at birth.

1.9     Definition of Terms

Some terms were defined according to how they were used in this context.

Age:  The period of one’s existence starting from birth

Birth: The time when a baby is born (the process of born).

Development: The act of becoming more larger, more matured and more advanced.

Cognitive: connected to/with the process of understanding.

Weight: How heavy a thing is.

Influence: The effect of something or someone.