Losing Isiah

Early childhood is the most important phase of development in one’s lifespan as the experiences during childhood sets the course for later stages of development. It has been noted that a mother’s actions during pregnancy may influence the development of an infant. The developmental influences include prenatal, perinatal and neonatal environments. (Santrock, 2002) Although babies come into the world with no say or control over which family they will be placed into, or the environment in which they will begin to live in, theorists agree that the first two years are crucial, with early emotional, physical and social development influenced by the infant’s biological and environmental factors (Sigelman, Rider, & De-George Walker, 2013). The movie ‘Losing Isaiah’ is an indication of the importance of early childhood development and this paper will look at some of the events in Isaiah’s childhood that influenced his development.

His drug addicted mother left Isaiah overnight in a box amongst the rubbish bins, while she went off to find drugs. He was found in the morning by rubbish collection workers and was sent to the hospital. This was significant in his physical development as evidence on cocaine suggests that prenatally exposed babies develop lasting difficulties (Berk, 2010). Other factors that could have affected Isaiah were malnutrition and poor healthcare due to his mother’s low socio- economic status, as research states cocaine users often take several drugs, display other high risk behaviors, suffer poverty and other stresses and engage in insensitive caregiving – factors that worsen outcomes for children (Jones as cited in Berk, 2010). ). On arrival at the hospital, Isaiah experienced difficulty breathing and had seizures while the doctors were trying to resuscitate him. This may have been caused by his cocaine addiction, as it has been noted that infants whose mothers are addicted to cocaine are born addicted (Berk, 2010). Research also suggests cocaine