Self,+Social,+and+Moral+Development

= = ‍‍ __Self, Social, and Moral Development__

Self development is the development of the individual self. It includes physical development and self-concept / identity.


__Physical Development__
==== Physical Development is how someone develops physically. More specifically, it is the growth of physical skills such as your gross and fine manipulative skills and your gross and fine motor skills. This includes the growth and control of your muscles and your body, growth of balance and agility. Motor skills are movement of your body parts big and small, and manipulative skills are the movement and control of an object such as controlling a pencil in your hand and writing with it. ====



__Implications for Elementary Teachers__
====As an elementary school teacher you will have students who are larger or smaller than their peers. Despite these differences in physical growth, all of these students can be equally healthy. It is important to observe as students will likely make observations about those who are “different” than the average group. The questions or comments brought up as a result of physical differences may be hurtful to some students. I find it very important to help students learn that the things they say can be hurtful. Teach students that height and weight are not factors that should be used to judge their classmates. Help them to think about how they might feel if roles were reversed and they were the subject of cruel comments.====

** __The Importance of Play__ **
====Physical play is extremely important in the physical development of young children. Yet some schools are getting rid of recess time to focus on standardized test preparation. In addition, with the rise in technology, many students would choose video games over physical play when given those two options. Therefore, it is more important than ever that we allow for play in schools and teach the importance of it. The video below points out the many benefits to be gained by giving students opportunities to play through recess. ====

http://youtu.be/9jVAG7m4hfg

** __Self Concept and Identity__ **
====Self concept is one's knowledge and beliefs about his or herself. This would include his or her feelings, attitudes, and expectations. Identity is the answer to the question, "Who am I?". These terms can be explained in Erikson's Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development. ====

__Erikson's Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development__
====Erikson studied under Sigmund Freud and developed an alternate framework of development that focused on the interactions of young people and society around them. He believed that at each stage one would encounter a challenge or developmental crisis. The outcome (positive or negative) would influence future interactions. The table below shows the 8 stages from birth to death.====



__Implications for Elementary Teachers __

 * ====Assist students in setting and working toward realistic goals. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Begin by giving short assignments and then build toward longer, more complex assignments. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Monitor students' progress as they work toward goals. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Provide opportunities for independence and responsibility. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Help students know that there is no harm in making an honest mistake. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Give students jobs in the classroom such as passing out papers, erasing the whiteboard, handling the lunch count, and running errands. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Give discouraged students extra support. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Keep records of student progress through charts or contracts. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Provide praise and encouragement for accomplishments or job well done. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Create student portfolios so that students can see their growth. ====

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__Ethnic and Racial Identity__
====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Many children experience the struggle of determining their ethnic or racial identities. Furthermore, they struggle to balance these identities with their current surroundings. In addition, children must also understand the identities of others. The website below has some helpful hints to handling diversity in the classroom. ====

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__Social Development__
====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Social development is related to the social, emotional and personal development of an individual. Bronbrenner's Bioecological Model of Development helps explain all the factors that affect social development. ====

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> ‍‍

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are many things at play in a child's development. These things interact and help to shape who a child is.

 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">microsystems - family, friends, classroom, and religious groups ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">mesosystems - relationships / interactions among microsystems ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">exosystems - greater groups a student belongs to but doesn't interact with on a regular basis / greater community ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">macrosystem - encompasses all of these things / a larger culture ====

The video below further explains Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Model of Development.
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">http://youtu.be/me7103oIE-g

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px;">**__Factors that can play a role in social development:__**

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Be aware that you have different students coming from different styles of parenting.

 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Authoritative (high warmth, high control) ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Authoritarian (low warmth, high control) ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Permissive (high warmth, low control) ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rejecting/Neglecting/Uninvolved (low warmth, low control) ====

====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*In European American, middle class families, children are more likely to be happy with themselves and interact well with friends when they come from a household that includes authoritative parents. These same children are more likely to be depressed if they come from a household with authoritarian parents. Finally, permissive parents cause these children to have difficulty relating to their peers. ====

====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*However, research shows that Asian and African American students receive better grades when they are in a household with higher-controlling parents. ====

Access the link below to learn more about parenting styles.

http://psychology.about.com/od/developmentalpsychology/a/parenting-style.htm
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">**__Divorce__** ===<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Teachers should be understanding of students whose parents are going through a divorce. This can put strain on the student because of many factors. ===
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Emotional stress of parents not being together ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Less money (two incomes are no longer combined) ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">New house (may be less expensive) ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Less time with parents (work schedule may change) ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Loss of friendships ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">New family structure if parents remarry ====

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__Peers__
===<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Friends are important to students' development and can even affect them later in life. Good friendships can have a lasting positive impact. In contrast, problems with peers can harm students in the short and long term. ===
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Group loyalties lead to rejection (cliques). ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Students might step over each other when they want something (instrumental peer aggression). ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Students might intend to inflict harm (hostile peer aggression). ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Girls are more likely to use relational aggression (harming social relationships) and boys are more likely to use overt aggression (harming physically or overt threats). ====

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A teacher is expected to report suspicions of child abuse and neglect and can help students deal with the situation. Look for these signs:

 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Unexplained bruises, burns, bites, or other injuries ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fatigue ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Depression ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Frequent absences ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Poor hygiene ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Inappropriate clothing ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Problems with peers ====

Use the link below to locate further warning signs of different kinds of abuse.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">A teacher can have a major impact on his or her students' lives through academic caring and personal caring.

 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Academic caring is more important to students that are higher achieving or have a higher socioeconomic status.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Personal caring is more important to students who feel alienated from school.

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__Moral Development__
====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Moral development is one's growing understanding of right and wrong. In addition, once children develop a theory of mind, they are able to better understand the behaviors of others. ====

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px;">**__Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Reasoning__**

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 1.06em;">Lawrence Kohlberg developed a theory on moral reasoning containing three levels. They are as followed:

 * ====Pre-conventional Level====
 * ====Judgments are based on self-interest. (Woolfolk, 2010, p. 98)====
 * ====Conventional Level====
 * ====Judgments are based on traditional family values and social expectations. (Woolfolk, 2010, p. 98)====
 * ====Post-conventional Level====
 * ====Judgments are based on personal ethical principles. (Woolfolk, 2010, p. 98)====

To learn more about Kohlberg's theory, visit the website below.
http://www.vtaide.com/blessing/Kohlberg.htm

__Implications for Elementary Teachers__
====Elementary teachers should lead the students in classroom meetings about "sibling rivalries, teasing, stealing, prejudice, treatment of new students in class, and behavior toward classmates with disabilities" (Woolfolk, 2010, p.103). This will allow students to examine the types of problems they are facing now or will face in the future.====

In addition to examining problems that students face, educators should also consider doing the following to help guide moral development:

 * ====Help students see the perspectives of others.====
 * ====Ask a student to describe his or her understanding of the views of another; then have the other person confirm or correct the perception.====
 * ====Next, have the students exchange roles and try to "become" the other person in the discussion.====

(Woolfolk, 2010, p.103)

 * ====Help students make connections between expressed values and actions.====
 * ====Follow a discussion of "What should be done?" with "How would you act? What would be your first step? What problems might arise?"====
 * ====Help students see inconsistencies between their values and their own actions. Ask them to identify inconsistencies, first in others, then in themselves.====

(Woolfolk, 2010, p.103)

 * ====Safeguard the privacy of all participants.====
 * ====Remind students that in a discussion, they can "pass" and not answer questions.====
 * ====Intervene if peer pressure is forcing a student to say more than he or she wants to.====
 * ====Don't reinforce a pattern of telling "secrets."====

(Woolfolk, 2010, p.103 )

 * ====Make sure students are really listening to each other.====
 * ====Keep small groups.====
 * ====Be a good listener yourself.====
 * ====Recognize students who pay careful attention to each other.====

(Woolfolk, 2010, p.103)

 * ====Make sure that as much as possible your class reflects concern for moral issues and values.====
 * ====Make clear distinctions between rules based on administrative convenience (keeping the room orderly) and rules based on moral issues.====
 * ====Enforce standards uniformly. Be careful about showing favoritism.====