May 24, 2012

This video is based around promoting children’s social competence and what parents and caregivers can do to healthily and effectively increase child’s social skills. Low social competence may result from children being rejected, which can stem from inappropriate skills learned at home.  These tips can help ensure children are openly accepted socially by their peers and minimize the chance for rejection or nonacceptance. 

May 24, 2012
I remember watching this Disney movie, The Color of Friendship, as a child and absolutely loving it. This movie addresses issues of racial segregation in a kid-friendly way which promotes eliminating racially-based hatred and encourages cross-race friendships.  Although informal racial segregation still exists in many aspects of children’s social and academic lives, movies like this help to promote awareness and acceptance of the interaction of children from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. 

I remember watching this Disney movie, The Color of Friendship, as a child and absolutely loving it. This movie addresses issues of racial segregation in a kid-friendly way which promotes eliminating racially-based hatred and encourages cross-race friendships.  Although informal racial segregation still exists in many aspects of children’s social and academic lives, movies like this help to promote awareness and acceptance of the interaction of children from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. 

May 24, 2012 • 2 notes

Divorce Questions: Should We Stay Together for the Kids?

This Huffington Post article addresses popular divorce-related questions.  Divorce can have detrimental effects on a child’s life as their home stability is altered and their sense of security is diminished.  The article notes that it is important to try to save one’s marriage for the sake of their children, however some times that is not always the best possible solution. There are options given for couples in order to help work through their problems in order to avoid disrupting their child’s well-being.

This article raises the interesting predicament of needing to do what’s best for oneself if a relationship is not working, but also considering the emotional health of one’s child or children and making their home life as comfortable as possible.  

May 24, 2012
Grades are a significant type of performance orientation motivation which involves the extrinsic motivation of satisfaction of adults, particularly one’s parents. Children receive grades on assignments which reflect their study habits.  These grades show a student’s parents and/or their teacher how hard they have worked and also can be used to be compared against their peers.  

Grades are a significant type of performance orientation motivation which involves the extrinsic motivation of satisfaction of adults, particularly one’s parents. Children receive grades on assignments which reflect their study habits.  These grades show a student’s parents and/or their teacher how hard they have worked and also can be used to be compared against their peers.  

May 22, 2012 • 4 notes • thelibrarymouse
Because it has such a profound impact on cognitive development, one of the most important experiences of middle childhood is attending school.
Hoffnung, M., Hoffnung, R.J., Seifert, K.L., Smith, R.S., & Hine, A. (2010).  Childhood: First Australasian Edition.  Australia:  Wiley & Sons. (via thelibrarymouse)

(via horseenchiladashoho)

May 22, 2012 • 370,763 notes • devoureth

littlechildwonders:

Precious, terribly precious. 

This is absolutely adorable :)

May 19, 2012 • 5 notes • horseenchiladashoho

Which model of intelligence makes the most sense to you and why?

I think Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences makes the most sense to me.  Throughout the course, we’ve learned that development is not just about one criteria, but is rather a multi-faceted concept.  Gardner’s theory involves this concept of many areas of skill being incorporated.  Intelligance, for instance, is not solely based on linguistic skills or spatial skills, but instead a multitude of factors.  Intelligence, like developmental processes, takes into account social, cognitive, and physical factors, accounted for by Gardner’s theory.  

May 19, 2012 • 1 note • ukkiwi

Children’s views about obesity, body size, shape and weight: a systematic review

ukkiwi:

This article reviewed research into Children’s views about obesity, and found that children tended to view it from a social, rather than a health, perspective.

Children are highly aware of body size, and society’s attitudes towards it.  They often have unrealistic expectations of their own ideal body type.

In the UK, children have their height and weight measured at the end of primary school, in Year 6.  Results are sent to parents.  I’ve probably got my children’s results somewhere, but I know I didn’t take any notice - my children were active and healthy, and I don’t believe that the BMI gives an accurate portrayal of health risk.  Children at that age are growing so fast, one minute they’re putting on weight and looking pudgier, the next they’re shooting up in height and the weight/height ratios change.  Children don’t need anymore pressure regarding body image.  

One of the conclusions of this research study is that “Children appear to be critical about their own body sizes and are highly aware of our society’s heightened interest in body size.”


As long as children are eating a balanced diet and getting physical activity in order to stay healthy, there shouldn’t be a “normal” body type in which children are compared against.  It’s so sad to think that children, who should be focused on having fun, learning, and playing, are concerned with issues such as body size.  Everyone is different and it is important for parents and caregivers to stress this uniqueness rather than to encourage this unnecessary concern with body consciousness. 

May 19, 2012 • 2 notes

Larger classes move sparks alarm

jordana25:

This is an article in the New Zealand Herald outlining the governments proposal to increase and standardize school class room sizes. There has been an overwhelming response from both parents and educators in regards to how this move may affect a child’s development. Especially those that are categorized as “special needs”. Although i have no children of my own, I am also concerned about the proposal for much larger class room sizes , as children develop at different speeds, with some requiring more attention. I feel some children may simply “fall through the cracks”. 

Unfortunately, larger class sizes is becoming an increasing problem - especially in the United States.  As fees are attempting to be reduced, less teachers are being hired and more are being fired.  As a result, classroom sizes must increase in order to account for the decrease in staffing. Even at the university level, I can tell the difference between the learning environment in a small class versus that in a large class.  Especially with children who need so much support as they develop cognitively and socially, this could be detrimental to their education and inhibit their optimum development. 

(via jordana25-deactivated20120721)

May 19, 2012

Meds price hike: 'Children will die'

Mana Party leader Hone Harawira says proposed increases to the cost of prescriptions “will lead to children dying”.

This article addresses pertinent issues related to children’s health and illness, particularly in New Zealand. As a result of prescription prices being increased, children’s health is being threatened - especially those coming from low socio-economic backgrounds.  If children are sick but cannot get the medications they need, even the most acute, treatable illnesses can become extremely dangerous.