Sample Solution

  Critical periods of development refer to a specific time frame during which certain skills or abilities must be learned, such as language acquisition. Sensitive periods are times when the environment is most influential in shaping the development of an individual’s skills and abilities.

Biological factors that can influence prenatal development include genetics, physical health of the mother, nutrition status and exposures to substances like drugs/alcohol. For example, a mother smoking cigarettes during pregnancy increases the risk for premature birth, low birth weight and other complications. Environmental factors that can influence prenatal development include stress levels for both parents, social support networks available to parents and economic resources available to them. Two examples of how these environmental factors can affect prenatal development would be if a parent experienced high levels of stress due to financial strain or lack of reliable social support systems; this could lead to higher rates of preterm labor and lower birth weights. Similarly, if a teen parent did not have access to good medical care or healthy food options then their child may experience developmental delays due to malnutrition or poor medical care in utero. Based on these environmental factors you would share with teens preventative measures such as finding reliable sources of emotional support from family and friends, accessing programs like WIC (Women Infants & Children) for nutritional help during pregnancy even if they don't meet income requirements, utilizing free healthcare options (if available) so their baby receives proper checkups throughout pregnancy and providing positive coping strategies when faced with stressful situations that do not involve any possible harm or danger towards themselves or their unborn child (like mindfulness exercises).