Developmental systems theory

Okay, so imagine you're a little seed that's been planted in the ground. You need all sorts of things to grow into a big, strong plant. You need sun, water, good soil, and maybe even some fertilizer. It's kind of like that with people too!

When someone is born, they have a certain set of genes that give them certain traits or characteristics. These genes are like the blueprint for a person's body and brain. But just like a seed needs more than just a blueprint to grow, people need more than just their genes to develop.

That's where developmental systems theory comes in. This theory says that a person's development is influenced by all sorts of things beyond just their genes. Things like their environment, their experiences, and their interactions with other people can all shape who they become.

So let's say you have a little baby who was born with a certain set of genes that make them more likely to be talkative. But if they grow up in an environment where no one talks to them or encourages them to speak, they might not become talkative at all. On the other hand, if they're in an environment where people are always talking to them, reading to them, and interacting with them, they're more likely to become talkative.

Developmental systems theory also says that development is a dynamic process that happens over time. It's not just a matter of flipping a switch and suddenly becoming a fully-formed person. Instead, it's a gradual process where the person is constantly interacting with their environment and being shaped by their experiences.

So to sum up, developmental systems theory is all about how people's genes, environment, experiences, and interactions with others all work together to shape who they become as they grow and develop over time. It's like growing a plant, but instead of just sun and water, people need a whole bunch of different things to help them grow into the best version of themselves.