Parental Advice

By Krystal LeffProf. Jennifer Moyer-Taylor

SOC312: Child Family & ServicesFebruary 5, 2013

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Model

• The Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Model describes a

“child's development within a series of interacting

systems in his ecological model. At the center of these

systems is an individual child whose experiences with

these systems will either hinder or foster future

development. Bronfenbrenner defined his ecological

model through five interlocking systems, which are

placed on a continuum that ranges from the most intimate

to the broadest,” (Bojczyk, Shriner, & Shriner, 2012).

Social Systems

• There are five systems labeled in Bronfenbrenner's

model the

“microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem,

and chronosystem. The first four systems of the

ecological model operate via direct interactions with

the child, whereas the fifth level, the

chronosystem, places the child and these interactions

within a historical context,” (Bojczyk, Shriner, &

Shriner, 2012).

Parenting Styles

Authoritative Parenting Style

• The parenting style you and your husband utilize is very important. I find that the authoritative parenting style is best. The authoritative parenting style is “about setting limits, reasoning with kids, and being responsive to their emotional needs,” (Dewar, G., 2010).

• Authoritative parents “encourage a verbal give-and-take, and explain the consequences of good and bad behavior,” (Dewar, G., 2010).

• Authoritative parenting style “reflects a balance between two values--freedom and responsibility. Authoritative parents want to encourage independence in their kids. But they also want to foster self-discipline, maturity, and a respect for others,” (Dewar, G., 2010).

Authoritative Parenting Style

• According to Mr. Dewar children who are raised by authoritative parents “are more likely to become independent, self-reliant, socially accepted, academically successful, and well-behaved,” (Dewar, G., 2010). This is because the children are presented with options and are able to make some decisions for themselves.

• Children with authoritative parents “are less likely to report depression and anxiety, and less likely to engage in antisocial behavior like delinquency and drug use,” (Dewar, G., 2010).

Center-Based Programs

• I believe that center-based programs are the best option for children, both before and after they reach school age. Center-based programs “are accredited by such organizations as the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) or licensed by state agencies as well as programs facilitated by faith-based organizations that may be nonprofit," (Bojczyk, Shriner & Shriner, 2012).

• Center-based programs offer “various structured programs, flexible schedules (pick up/drop off), and large class sizes with diverse backgrounds,” (Bojczyk, Shriner & Shriner, 2012). There are classrooms with several different centers. Blocks, dramatic plays, circle times, outside time, as well as a math and science area are just a few of them.

Center-Based Center

• Having a classroom with several different centers allows the child to have a more hands on approach to their own education. They have more freedom to explore the different sections and activities.

• Another great advantage to center-based programs are that “some center-based programs may be offered by employers and be located on the same site where the parent works, such as programs facilitated by universities or government agencies" (Bojcsky, Shriner & Shriner, 2012).

Technology for Children

• Technology is a great tool to utilize when it comes to education. According to Mr. Galinovsky “Netbooks or laptops that feature tools like a camera, writing stylus and audio recording capabilities help to encourage a multimodal approach to learning. The more learning modes (auditory, visual, and experiential) that are exercised, the more likely the material they are learning is likely to stay with them long-term,” (Galinovsky, J., 2011).

Technology for Children

• Another way parents can incorporate technology into

their child’s development at home would be to utilize

gaming systems. Leap Frog is an example of a

gaming system made for educational purposes.

• According to Mr. Galinovsky in order to teach

children about the importance of using the internet

wisely and correctly “it's important to warn about

predators, inappropriate material and mature content,

but hovering over them to ensure they are safe will

only stifle them,” ( Galinovsky, J., 2011).

Self-Esteem

• Self-esteem is very important and there are many things both parents and teachers can do to help improve a child’s self-esteem. The first thing to do is “give the children choices -- within a reasonable set of options preselected by you -- makes them feel empowered,” (Finello, K., 2013). For example, at lunch one day you might offer your child the option of fish sticks or chicken nuggets. “Learning to make simple choices while he or she is young will help prepare your child for the more difficult choices he'll face as he grows,” (Finello, K., 2013).

Self-Esteem

• Another thing parents can do to help improve a

child’s self-esteem is to “give their children

responsibility for tasks such as setting the

table, walking the dog, and folding laundry. They'll

increase their feelings of competency and bolster their

problem-solving skills,” (Finello, K., 2013). Chores

and guidelines make a child’s life more stable.

Children thrive when there are rules, routines, and

responsibilities.

Socialization that Occurs at Home

• At home the children socialize with those who are in

their immediate family or those who live in their

household. It is the parent’s responsibility to make

sure their children are learning the behaviors

necessary to effectively communicate and socialize in

the future. The children need to be

prepared, socially, by the time they get into school.

Socialization that Occurs in School

• At school the children are socializing more and with

more people. They are around the teacher and other

students as well as the administrators and other

school staff. The teachers are making sure they have

the skills necessary to socialize and communicate

later on in life. That is why it is so important that

every teacher pay very close attention to each and

every student.

A Teacher’s Role

• A Teachers role is very important in a child’s life.

Educators are the ones who are supposed to be

teaching the children the skills necessary to make it

through the rest of their life, socialization and

communication skills being an example. It is the

teacher’s responsibility to make sure the classroom is

a comfortable, safe environment, one that is

conducive to a good learning environment.

The Importance of Positive Peer Interactions

• Positive peer interactions are critical to young

children. Children need to socialize with their peers

and feel like they are part of the group. One method

parents could implement at home is the Scaffolding

method. According to our textbook Scaffolding

involves “offering suggestions, giving gentle

feedback, and modifying the environment to facilitate

learning opportunities,” (Bojczyk, K. E., Shriner, B.

M., Shriner, M., 2012). I like how you used this

concept appropriately in this explanation.

The Importance of Positive Peer Interactions

• Parents can have a home environment that is conducive to learning. Our textbook states that “…adults set the stage for promoting early peer interactions by providing settings for infants and toddlers to interact with one another and offering suggestions to guide them through the process,” (Bojczyk, K. E., Shriner, B. M., Shriner, M., 2012). One way of doing this is to provide educational programs and age appropriate toys for your children. Make sure they are getting the opportunity to hang out with children around the same age and are making connections with others.

References

• Bojczyk, K. E., Shriner, B., & Shriner, M. (2012). Supporting children’s socialization: A developmental approach. San Diego: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Retrieved from www.ashford.edu/content.

• Dewar, G., 2010. The authoritative parenting style: Warmth, rationality, and high standards A guide for the science-minded parent. Dewar, G., Ph. D. Retrieved from http://www.parentingscience.com/authoritative-parenting-style.html.

• Finello, K., 2013. Simple Ways to Boost Your Child’s Self-Esteem Dos and Don’ts of Raising a Confident Child. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved from http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/social/boost-your-childs-self-esteem/.

• Galinovsky, J., 2011. 5 Ways To Integrate Technology Into Your Child’s Education. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2011/03/09/technology-kids-learning/.