Childhood Studies: Child Psychology Personal Statement
I have always been intrigued by the sheer complexity of the human mind. Accordingly, I have had an increasing desire to further my education in psychology. With the big difference between the reasoning capacities of children and adults alongside my strong affection for children, I really wanted to understand the mechanism behind the beautiful way of thinking and behaving of children. It is this ambition that would later trigger and define my interest in the field of developmental psychology. Furthermore, during one moment of my research I came across John Bowlby’s statement that “Mother love in infancy is as important for mental health as are vitamins and proteins for physical health.’ This school of thought that mental health is significant for children’s development cemented my interests in developmental psychology. I wanted to understand this connection and many other factors that influence and or affect children’s mental health; hence, their development.
With an A-level in developmental psychology already, I have an overview of the basics of attachment and human development. This topic immediately ignited my curiosity in child psychology and helped to gain insights into children’s mental processes. As a soft, calm, and well-behaved child, I usually failed to understand why other children acted out. Nonetheless, through psychology, I have been able to understand the reason and also understand that there are many layers within ‘behavior.’ Thus, I am self-assured that I have been provided with the fundamentals to meet the demands of a psychology degree.
Through my Extended Project Qualification on the social pressures’ impacts on eating disorders’ development, I have developed and advanced my competencies in the effective and successful selection, analysis, and interpretation of psychological research. For instance, examining the theories and empirical proof regarding the development of eating disorders has always fascinated me. On this ground, following my in-depth study on eating disorders, I also have my mind on researching and analyzing the impacts of nutrition on a children’s daily life and probable disorders that can transpire.
Completing a work placement in a nursery gave me an opportunity to experience children’s development practically from the age of 3 months up to 4 years. I was mainly able to establish links within my studies and apply them appropriately and successfully the psychological theories such as Shaffer and Emmerson’s stages of attachment. I also volunteered in a one-week placement program at a Primary School, and opportunity that cemented my ambition of a career of work with children. I found sufficient satisfaction engaging with the kids and did my best to help those with dyslexia with their reading and literacy skills. Furthermore, currently, I teach youngsters ballet during my personal time on Saturday afternoons; this opportunity has enabled me to gain life skills regarding working with children. Additionally, it has strengthened my logic and ambition to work with children as well as positive relationships, which can develop as a result.
Children are special but also have special cases, which needs special handling. For instance, they have special education needs and mental conditions such as ADHD and Health habits of child or obesity. All these are areas where I can chip in and help. However, I am focused on child development because of my passion for children and curiosity in their thinking and behaving. I want to know how children grow up and develop particularly mentally, and the factors that influence and or affect this process so that I can be able to help them develop in a better way as I also help those with difficulties in a better way and the only thing that can help me fulfill my ambition, for now, is a degree in child psychology. Doing this degree will not only enable me to explore the psychology realm further but will also help me understand how children grow up to become the humans that we are.