These risk and social address factors alone don’t determine whether or not a child develops his potential – they can make it more difficult or less likely for a child to get the experiences he needs. But it’s the actual experiences that count: For example: Is someone showing the child appropriate ways to behave? Does she have opportunities to draw and to climb? Does someone read with him regularly and interactively? Although most of the emphasis in an ecological model is on these kinds of positive experiences – called proximal - or near – processes – it also acknowledges the importance of protective and preventive processes – things that keep a child from physical and psychological harm. For example: Is the child protected from environmental toxins like lead and smoke? Within the child’s home and child care settings, is the child hearing encouragement or disparagement?