The Role of Culture 

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Psychology as a whole, and developmental psychology in particular, has long used WEIRD (Western/White, Educated, Individualistic, Rich, Democratic) populations as the primary source of research participants.  As a result, developmental norms used in the United States are heavily biased toward WEIRD cultures.  This can pose a problem, as culture can play a significant role across many areas of physical development; thus, students from non-Western cultures may show different patterns of development from some of their peers (Azar, 2023).  For example, researchers have found that children in some African and Caribbean cultures encourage children to practice standing and sitting at an early age. As a result of this increased practice, those children may be more likely to stand and walk earlier than children from other cultures (Libertus & Smith, 2020). As a teacher, it is important to be aware of not only the typical developmental norms in your region, but also the basis of those norms and what (if any) differences you might expect for children not sharing that background.

Even within Western cultures, differences may exist in how physical development progresses due to various factors. For example, in one study, researchers found that on average, children raised in the Netherlands reached their early physical developmental milestones later than children in other Western cultures, whereas children raised in Israel tended to reach these milestones earlier.  Researchers attributed these differences in part to culture, given that the Israeli parents in this study were more likely to engage in stimulating practices with their children, while the Dutch parents were more likely to place their children in playpens, discouraging movement (van Schaik, Oudgenoeg-Paz & Atun-Einy, 2018).

Culture is another factor that can impact children’s nutrition. Cultural norms, traditions, and food availability can shape diet patterns. For instance, the Mediterranean diet, prevalent in countries such as Greece and Italy, emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins such as fish. This diet provides a balance of nutrients, contributing to heart health and overall well-being. On the other hand, many Western cultures have easy access to fast food and convenience meals, which are often high in saturated fats and sugars. Regular consumption of these foods can contribute to unbalanced diets and increased rates of childhood obesity, a rising concern that can exacerbate multiple health complications such as type-2 diabetes and heart disease. Overnutrition may present as above-average weight for age and height, difficulties in physical activities, and symptoms of type-2 diabetes such as increased thirst and frequent urination (Paris, Ricardo, & Rymond, 2019).

What do these potential differences mean for you as a teacher? When evaluating whether a student is showing adequate progress in their physical development or when identifying areas of concern, be sure to take culture into account. A student who is not progressing at the same level as their peers may be doing so due to fewer opportunities to practice those skills, social norms within their culture, or other cultural impacts.