The Growing Child Has Many Social Expectations In The World In ✓ Solved

The growing child has many social expectations in the world in which we live. It can be a challenging and confusing time for young children and their families, as well as the professionals that work with them. After exploring the multiple resources in Unit 8, consider the following case scenario and answer the questions for this week’s Discussion.

Case Scenario: Antonio is a five year old boy whose parents have recently divorced. He is the youngest of four boys in the family and attends the local Head Start. The early childhood professionals are concerned because Antonio has recently had some social difficulties with peers. For example, he refuses to participate in group games, plays alone and resists bids for cooperative play. His mother reports that he appears to get angry more easily since the divorce and has a hard time calming himself down, which the early childhood professionals have also observed.

· Identify the important milestones children ages two through six years learn about their feelings and relationships with the people in their lives.

· With this in mind, how can you as an early childhood provider set up the environment to meet Antonio’s needs at this time?

· Explain how you would include peers in this process. Describe ideas you can share with Antonio’s mother for the home environment. Please be sure to discuss how rules, routines, and guidance strategies can set the stage for success for young children.

Paper For Above Instructions

Understanding social development in young children is crucial, especially for those experiencing significant changes in their lives, such as divorce. Children aged two to six years are in a critical period of developing emotional literacy, social skills, and understanding relationships. During this time, they learn to express their feelings, recognize the emotions of others, and form attachments with peers and adults. In the case of Antonio, a five-year-old dealing with the emotional fallout from his parents’ divorce, it is essential to identify the milestones typical for his age group to better comprehend his behavior and develop effective support strategies for him.

Milestones of Emotional and Social Development

Children at the age of two to six typically achieve several important milestones in emotional and social development. Key milestones include:

  • Emotional Expression: Children begin to express their feelings verbally and non-verbally. They often can identify basic emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, and fear.

  • Understanding Social Norms: Children learn rules of social interaction, including sharing, taking turns, and engaging in cooperative play.

  • Empathy and Perspective-Taking: By ages four to six, many children start to understand the emotions of others and can respond with empathy.

  • Forming Friendships: Children begin to make meaningful peer relationships, learning collaboration and negotiation skills.

  • Self-Regulation: They develop the ability to manage their emotions and behaviors, although this is an ongoing process.

Antonio’s reluctance to participate in group activities and his increased anger may stem from a disruption in his emotional development caused by his home situation. With the complexities of his family dynamics, understanding these milestones can help early childhood providers offer appropriate support.

Creating a Supportive Environment for Antonio

As an early childhood provider, creating an environment that meets Antonio’s needs involves ensuring stability and predictability. This can be achieved through the following strategies:

  • Structured Routine: Establishing a clear daily routine helps children feel secure and understand what is expected of them. Regular schedules lessen anxiety and provide a sense of stability.

  • Safe Spaces for Emotion Regulation: Designate quiet areas where children can retreat to calm down. Having tools like stress balls or calming visuals can help children manage their emotions better.

  • Facilitating Cooperative Play: Encourage group activities that promote teamwork and collaboration. Using structured games with clear rules can help Antonio engage with peers in a less intimidating way.

  • Positive Reinforcement: Reinforce positive interactions and participation. This can increase Antonio’s comfort with joining in group settings.

Including Peers in the Process

To support Antonio socially, including his peers in the process is essential. Here are some strategies to facilitate this:

  • Peer Buddy Systems: Pairing Antonio with a patient and understanding peer can help him feel more comfortable engaging with others. This buddy can guide him in play, encouraging participation without overwhelming him.

  • Cooperative Projects: Organizing group projects that require collaboration can help children learn to work together and develop friendships.

  • Modeling Social Skills: Teach the children about sharing and empathy through role-playing and modeling behaviors in various social situations.

Supporting the Home Environment

Working with Antonio’s mother is equally important in supporting his emotional and social development. Suggestions for creating a nurturing home environment include:

  • Consistent Rules and Routines: Just like at school, maintaining consistent rules and routines at home allows Antonio to feel secure. He should know what behavior is expected of him and what the consequences are for not adhering to those rules.

  • Open Communication: Encourage Antonio’s mother to engage in open discussions about feelings. Creating a safe space for him to express his emotions will help him process the changes in his life.

  • Quality Time: Fostering strong attachments through quality family time can reduce feelings of anger and loneliness. Engaging in activities together as a family can help restore a sense of normalcy.

  • Positive Guidance Strategies: Teach his mother effective guidance strategies, such as using praise to reinforce positive behaviors, which can reduce negative behaviors over time.

Conclusion

The early years of a child's life are filled with growth and development, especially in terms of social and emotional capabilities. Understanding these milestones helps educators and parents provide the necessary support to children like Antonio, who may be struggling during difficult transitions in their lives. By creating supportive environments both in school and at home, utilizing peer support, and encouraging open communication, we can guide young children through their social expectations, helping them navigate relationships positively.

References

  • Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Prentice Hall.

  • Denham, S. A. (2006). Social-emotional prevention programs for preschoolers. Journal of Educational Psychology, 98(2), 240-258.

  • Erikson, E. H. (1963). Childhood and society. W. W. Norton & Company.

  • Garner, P. W. (2010). Young children's emotional development: Changing perspectives. Early Childhood Education Journal, 38(2), 139-145.

  • Hoffman, M. L. (2000). Empathy and moral development: Implications for caring and justice. Cambridge University Press.

  • Jones, D. E., Brown, T. R., & Aber, J. L. (2011). Two-year impacts of a social-emotional learning program on preschool children’s social-emotional competence and behavior. Children and Youth Services Review, 33(2), 178-187.

  • Nicholson, T., & Stokes, A. (2006). Supporting children's social and emotional development: A review of the research. International Journal of Early Years Education, 14(2), 113-124.

  • Parke, R. D., & Clarke-Stewart, A. (2011). Contemporary family psychology: A handbook. American Psychological Association.

  • Piaget, J. (1962). Play, dreams and imitation in childhood. W. W. Norton & Company.

  • Shonkoff, J. P., & Phillips, D. (2000). From neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early childhood development. National Academy Press.