The Theory Of Child Rearing

Early theories by Watson originally started the debate of nature versus nurture. Watson was a famous psychologist, popular in the early 1900s, and often discussed that environment was an important factor in a persons developing of skill. He once said, “Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-informed, and my own special world to bring them up in and I’ll guarantee to take any one at random and train them

The theory of individualism/collectivism refers to the values and nature of a society. Those cultures deemed as individualist place high

No individual can arrive at the threshold of his potentialities without a culture in which he participates. Conversely, no civilization has in it any element that the last analysis is not the contribution of an individual. Where else could any trait come from except from the behaviour of a man or a woman or a child? (253)

During the 16th century in England, upper class families had a strict and disciplinary way of child-rearing due to their perceptions of children. They viewed children as being confused sinners, whom needed to be taught in a harsh and strict environment in order to learn and become wholesome. For example, in Doc 1A, babies are described as “wayward and impulsive...altogether inclined to evil.” This perspective comes from a religious standpoint: a Calvinist minister named Robert Cleaver. This is a predictable point-of-view, because the religious believed that babies were sinners who must be disciplined and educated in order to become good (Doc 1A). However, there was a drastic change in the next couple of centuries. In the 17th century, children

Child-rearing from the 16th to the 18th century changed because the child death rate went up during this time period. This caused parents to distance themselves from their children until they grew into adulthood because they just did not know if they were going to survive. Adults did not want to invest that much time and get to emotionally attached to something that was going to die. These distancing views caused adults attitudes towards children to change, they began to have such views as severely disciplining children, wet nursing, and that kids were taught evil or taught to be bad.

From the day they are born, children are immersed in a social world. Rapid learning takes place and is supported not only by parents, siblings, teachers and friends but also the important values and beliefs within their culture. All of this provides the foundations for cognitive development. As trainee teachers, it is fundamental that we have a deeper understanding of how children learn and how we can support learning. In order to do this we must first look at some of the theories of learning.

“Many of us remain blind to aspects of our own cultural heritage until we see them in relation to the practices of others.” I believe this means that cannot see the full picture because we are unable to see beyond what we believe. Ideas are formed based on tradition and culture and people refuse to look for other ideas based on a different culture. The World has many traditions and cultural ideas, especially when it comes to children. I believe that looking into the way some culture’s view child rearing and the responses that the children have, we will be able to have an understanding and respect of how each child is different. The article Respect and Equal Access highlights the importance of showing “...respect for all people by understanding race, class, linguistic background and gender…” This is necessary for life as an educator and as a person in general.

This assignment will discuss the main theories of child development and discuss the main principles across all area of development. The assignment will also evaluate an observation conducted on a child and link their behaviour to relevant child development theories. The assignment will firstly highlight some child development theories from behaviourists such as Bandura, humanists such as Maslow and constructivists such as Piaget. Secondly the child’s observation will be discussed and evaluated here relevant link to development theories will be made. Lastly the assignment will finish off with a reflection. Jennie Lindon defines development as” the sequence of physical and psychological changes experienced by human beings, which start with conception and continue throughout life.”(Jennie Lindon 2012:5) the early year’s foundation stage (EYTS) framework states that there are seven areas of learning and development however they view some are more important these are called the prime areas of development. There are three prime areas of development these are: communication and language, physical development, personal social and emotional development. The EYFS also states that “children develop in different ways at different times” (Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage 2014) which is why the development matters promote the message that every child is unique and has their own way of learning. (Development matters in the Early years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 2012)

I thought the article was quite interesting to read about because it was based on different divorced couples' perspective in children rearing. They discussed the reasons that they choose to live near or close by their ex-spouse was because they want their children to be comfortable in the environment that they have always lived in. They didn't want their children to experience any hardship. It amazes me how these parents are actively engaging their children's lives. Even though they don't like their ex they compromised and made a schedule that will work for the children. It must've been hard for a young child to understand the situation that's happening. As Koenig reported that a couple was so involved in the child's life that when she decided

“More than 16 million children in the United States – 22% of all children – live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level – $23,550 a year for a family of four. Research shows that, on average, families need an income of about twice that level to cover basic expenses. Using this standard, 45% of children live in low-income families” (“NCCP – Child Poverty”). With these alarming statistics it should be no question as to whether if one is living in poverty should one be having children. The importance of proper child rearing is essential to child development.

During the 1930’s, the intensive mothering ideology began to emerge. Child rearing beliefs started to shift in focus. Children, previously viewed as evil, sinful beings in need of discipline in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, were now being considered innocent and vulnerable. Approaches to parenting practices moved towards nurturance and devotion. Mothers adjusted their behaviors to be warm, child-centered, and completely devoted to meeting the needs of their children. When mothers lacked attention and nurturance towards their children, they were accused of depriving their children of essential elements of motherly love and devotion. The mothers were considered by society as engaging in acts of maternal deprivation. This change in parenting style influenced the practices of intensive mothering.

Recounted reports (1)in the media and from people required in youth sports propose a developing number of episodes including grown-ups carrying on improperly at their youngsters ' game occasions . Brandish alliance executives , youth wear mentors , officials , youth brandish guardians and even easygoing onlookers of youth games can refer to cases of occurrences they have seen . Past contrasts (2)in the game played , the level of rivalry and the age of the kids partaking , the message is alarmingly predictable - a developing number of guardians at youth don occasions appear to be crazy . A late Sports Illustrated extraordinary report annals a " rising tide of viciousness and verbal mishandle by grown-ups at youth sports occasions " (p . 87 )

Individualistic cultures tend to favor feeling free and less responsible for the members around them. In class, we discussed our own experiences of living in an individualistic culture. For example, if a parent were to become ill and more dependent, it is not uncommon for the children to send the parent to a nursing home. The ill parent would feel embarrassed if their child had to help them use a restroom or bathe themselves.Whereas, in a collectivism

| The fundamental issue addressed by this dimension is the degree of interdependence a society maintains among its members. It has to do with whether people´s self-image is defined in terms of “I” or “We”. In Individualist societies people are supposed to look after themselves and their direct family only. In Collectivist societies people belong to ‘in

What may have been the norm for one may not be the norm to another, especially when it comes to the cultures of foreign lands.   Cultural norms often are so strongly ingrained in an individual's daily life that the individual may be unaware of certain behaviors. Until these behaviors are seen in the context of a different culture with different values and beliefs, the