a. Are there any issues you had with your parents, school work, friends, or romantic involvements in the last two years of high school that continued to be issue in college?
The only thing I can think of is that my parents had a hard time letting go of me. They kept me under strict rules even after I was 18... the problem was that I was not listening to them, I felt like I should be allowed to make my own descisions and come to them when I felt I needed help. I did this with my virtual child and she was able to come and talk to me and trusted me for good advice. It wasnt forced on her. I didnt date that much in highschool, I think I had 1 or 2 boyfriends while in highschool but when I started working after graduation I dated a bit more. But I met my husband before I started back at school and when we got married I started staying home with our son and I went back to school.
b. Reflect on your own personality, interests and cognitive abilities at the time you graduated high school. How have these personality characteristics and abilities continued to manifest themselves in subsequent years ? How have they changed since your high school days, if at all?
I think my interests have changed since high school. While in high school I wanted to be a forensic investigator for some reason and between now and then I have changed to nursing and feel comfortable with the descision. I think what is manifesting that is the same is my desire to help people. Now I know what I want to do and how I want to help people. Also I found out what it would take to become a forensic investigator and decided I didnt really want to go that way in a career. I wanted to help people in a different way, by helping them get better. I think my study habits have changed from highschool, I am doing better now in school then I did in highschool.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
18 years old and off to college
1. As the program ends, what pathways does your child appear to be on in terms of physical, cognitive, social, emotional and moral development? To what extent could you have predicted these pathways based on what you knew of your child's earlier development?
Isabelle has turned out well, she is able to make good mature decisions and is very smart and does well in school, she gets along well with peers and has a good relationship with myself and her father. She seeks advice when needed for questions that are beyond her experience. She does well in school and got good grades, she was accepted into a lot of universities near and far away and has a wide choice on where she can pick to go for college. I think that she has been a fairly well behaved child all the way growing up, she listens well and respects authority and is able to make responsible decisions, I had a feeling she would do well.
2. Describe some specific ways in which you think your parenting mattered for your child’s development, based on evidence from the course regarding the contributions of parents to child development.
I think that discipline was key in her development, setting boundaries and making sure I was available to her helped a lot. For instance, when she was struggling in a area, I made sure she got tutoring instead of letting her figure it out by herself. I offered myself for someone to talk to when she was having friend troubles and it gave me the opportunity to connect with her by going for walks and talking together. Also, I took her to church and showed her my values and beliefs and modeled them for her while she was growing up.
3. Describe some specific ways in which your child developed that appeared to be influenced by factors outside your control, such as genes, random environmental events or the general influence of contemporary middle-class American culture.
I think one thing that contributed to her personality that was beyond my control was her sensitivity and having a hard time calming herself down, seems to be a environmental factor than anything I did, she was like that at birth and it showed through adolescence. A physical thing outside of my control was she was very ‘flat chested’ through-out adolescence, that would be a genetic. Some cultural things outside of my control have to deal with peer pressure and making decisions on things, like when she went to a party and called me to get her when she was drunk, I taught her differently when it came to those issues but she made her own decision in the end… I think another American culture ideal would be needing to be fashionable and in the latest fashions… so she wanted new clothes every school year to keep up with friends…
Isabelle has turned out well, she is able to make good mature decisions and is very smart and does well in school, she gets along well with peers and has a good relationship with myself and her father. She seeks advice when needed for questions that are beyond her experience. She does well in school and got good grades, she was accepted into a lot of universities near and far away and has a wide choice on where she can pick to go for college. I think that she has been a fairly well behaved child all the way growing up, she listens well and respects authority and is able to make responsible decisions, I had a feeling she would do well.
2. Describe some specific ways in which you think your parenting mattered for your child’s development, based on evidence from the course regarding the contributions of parents to child development.
I think that discipline was key in her development, setting boundaries and making sure I was available to her helped a lot. For instance, when she was struggling in a area, I made sure she got tutoring instead of letting her figure it out by herself. I offered myself for someone to talk to when she was having friend troubles and it gave me the opportunity to connect with her by going for walks and talking together. Also, I took her to church and showed her my values and beliefs and modeled them for her while she was growing up.
3. Describe some specific ways in which your child developed that appeared to be influenced by factors outside your control, such as genes, random environmental events or the general influence of contemporary middle-class American culture.
I think one thing that contributed to her personality that was beyond my control was her sensitivity and having a hard time calming herself down, seems to be a environmental factor than anything I did, she was like that at birth and it showed through adolescence. A physical thing outside of my control was she was very ‘flat chested’ through-out adolescence, that would be a genetic. Some cultural things outside of my control have to deal with peer pressure and making decisions on things, like when she went to a party and called me to get her when she was drunk, I taught her differently when it came to those issues but she made her own decision in the end… I think another American culture ideal would be needing to be fashionable and in the latest fashions… so she wanted new clothes every school year to keep up with friends…
Sunday, November 16, 2008
16 years old
1. Think about your teen’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses and how they are reflected in his or her school grades and activities from 14-16 years of age. What careers or courses of study might be best suited to your teen’s abilities and interests?
Isabelle has strength in the area of fine arts; she is really good with drawing. Here grades overall are good, and her teachers seem to like her. She gets in trouble a little for passing notes. She also got detention for leaving school a couple times. I think a career choice or study for Isabelle would be in arts, maybe in teaching.
2. How important have your teen’s relationships with peers been to his/her social development, emotional well-being and school achievement from 14-16 years of age?
She has a lot of friends and still has some problems with friends, just the usual high school drama and she has a boyfriend. She has been spending a lot of time with her boyfriend lately. She has a fair amount of friends and has some arguments with them but it usually gets over with soon.
3. How has your teen adjusted at 14-16 years of age to typical adolescent issues such as risk-taking, drugs, alcohol, and sexual interests, and how have you responded to your teen?
She is the typical teen… she came home from a party and smelled like pot and told me she didn’t smoke but others were and that she wouldn’t smoke because she is a athlete, I took her word for it but I didn’t allow her to hang out with those kids any longer. Then she got a boyfriend and lately they have been getting very forward with their affection. I have talked to her about safe sex and discussed our families belief about sex before marriage and I also talked about getting birth control just in case something happened and they get caught up in the moment. She also got drunk one night at a party and called me to come get her…. I didn’t say anything that night but she did get grounded for a while and I told her the next day that I was glad that she called me to come get her and didn’t try to drive. She has done a few things that are usual for teens but hasn’t done anything too bad.
Isabelle has strength in the area of fine arts; she is really good with drawing. Here grades overall are good, and her teachers seem to like her. She gets in trouble a little for passing notes. She also got detention for leaving school a couple times. I think a career choice or study for Isabelle would be in arts, maybe in teaching.
2. How important have your teen’s relationships with peers been to his/her social development, emotional well-being and school achievement from 14-16 years of age?
She has a lot of friends and still has some problems with friends, just the usual high school drama and she has a boyfriend. She has been spending a lot of time with her boyfriend lately. She has a fair amount of friends and has some arguments with them but it usually gets over with soon.
3. How has your teen adjusted at 14-16 years of age to typical adolescent issues such as risk-taking, drugs, alcohol, and sexual interests, and how have you responded to your teen?
She is the typical teen… she came home from a party and smelled like pot and told me she didn’t smoke but others were and that she wouldn’t smoke because she is a athlete, I took her word for it but I didn’t allow her to hang out with those kids any longer. Then she got a boyfriend and lately they have been getting very forward with their affection. I have talked to her about safe sex and discussed our families belief about sex before marriage and I also talked about getting birth control just in case something happened and they get caught up in the moment. She also got drunk one night at a party and called me to come get her…. I didn’t say anything that night but she did get grounded for a while and I told her the next day that I was glad that she called me to come get her and didn’t try to drive. She has done a few things that are usual for teens but hasn’t done anything too bad.
Monday, November 10, 2008
she is 14!
1. What activities and experiences at age 12 and 14 years has your teen been involved in that might promote healthy behavioral practices, physical fitness and skill in sports?
Isabelle is really enjoying softball and is doing really well at it. I volunteer wherever I can and go to booster meetings. Isabelle is concerned to stay physically fit and keep in good health because she is a athlete. She makes sure not to do drugs or drink because she knows it will affect her performance.
2. Have there been any changes in your teen’s behavior toward you or your partner? Why are these occurring and how are you responding?
She can be moody but it is mostly over the usual stuff, she gets in a argument at school and comes home in a mood but that is usually solved with going for a walk with me and she will talk and get out her frustration. Or she will argue with us about chores or curfew but other than that we get along well. I try to compromise where I can in letting her go places with friends as long as it is supervised by parents and she is not drinking or alone with boys. I make sure I stick by the rules and make sure she is doing the same.
3. Do you see any examples of how cognitive and physical changes in early adolescence
(ages 12-14) relate to your teen's social or emotional behavior?
Isabelle has changed in body shape and is being teased for having a “flat chest”, She comes home upset because of it. So it does affect her emotional behavior. She also talks a lot in class and gets in trouble for passing notes. She seems to be a happy teen. But we have our times with her where she is moody and doesn’t want to listen to what I have to say.
Isabelle is really enjoying softball and is doing really well at it. I volunteer wherever I can and go to booster meetings. Isabelle is concerned to stay physically fit and keep in good health because she is a athlete. She makes sure not to do drugs or drink because she knows it will affect her performance.
2. Have there been any changes in your teen’s behavior toward you or your partner? Why are these occurring and how are you responding?
She can be moody but it is mostly over the usual stuff, she gets in a argument at school and comes home in a mood but that is usually solved with going for a walk with me and she will talk and get out her frustration. Or she will argue with us about chores or curfew but other than that we get along well. I try to compromise where I can in letting her go places with friends as long as it is supervised by parents and she is not drinking or alone with boys. I make sure I stick by the rules and make sure she is doing the same.
3. Do you see any examples of how cognitive and physical changes in early adolescence
(ages 12-14) relate to your teen's social or emotional behavior?
Isabelle has changed in body shape and is being teased for having a “flat chest”, She comes home upset because of it. So it does affect her emotional behavior. She also talks a lot in class and gets in trouble for passing notes. She seems to be a happy teen. But we have our times with her where she is moody and doesn’t want to listen to what I have to say.
Monday, October 27, 2008
12 years 11 months
1. Describe any physical or behavioral signs of incipient puberty.
Isabelle is starting to get her “woman shape” and has gained a little weight, she thinks she is “fat” and gets moody sometimes. Lol I remember those days….
2. How would you characterize your child at this point in terms of the under-controlled, over-controlled or resilient categories? Have there been any changes since the preschool period and why might they have occurred?
Isabelle seems to be resilient for the most part she is getting good grades gets along with friends for the most part. I think she has gotten better from the tie she was in preschool. She demonstrates the ability to pay attention in class and follow the rules better. She is excelling in school now and doing really well in art.
3. Using the 7th grade report card and your own observations, summarize your child’s academic skills at this point. What specific activities might promote some of these skills?
Her 7th grade report card was good; she is excelling in everything except she needs to improve her time management skills. I have set up a planner for her to organize her day so she can get all her homework done and chores before playing. She is doing really well and is involved in sports like softball and likes to play basketball with friends.
Isabelle is starting to get her “woman shape” and has gained a little weight, she thinks she is “fat” and gets moody sometimes. Lol I remember those days….
2. How would you characterize your child at this point in terms of the under-controlled, over-controlled or resilient categories? Have there been any changes since the preschool period and why might they have occurred?
Isabelle seems to be resilient for the most part she is getting good grades gets along with friends for the most part. I think she has gotten better from the tie she was in preschool. She demonstrates the ability to pay attention in class and follow the rules better. She is excelling in school now and doing really well in art.
3. Using the 7th grade report card and your own observations, summarize your child’s academic skills at this point. What specific activities might promote some of these skills?
Her 7th grade report card was good; she is excelling in everything except she needs to improve her time management skills. I have set up a planner for her to organize her day so she can get all her homework done and chores before playing. She is doing really well and is involved in sports like softball and likes to play basketball with friends.
10 years 11 months
1. Describe changes in your child’s academic skills between ages 6 and 10 and assess how well these skills are developing. The 5th grade report card will be useful for this but you should also incorporate your own observations. What are you doing to help your child?
Isabelle is doing well in school she is getting good grades and is above level in reading skills. She was has trouble with calming herself down when she is upset and it can affect how she is in school with other students but she gets along with kids for the most part. Isabelle has advanced skills in art and loves to do projects. I set her up with art supplies in a sunny corner in the house so she can do projects. She also entered her art in a fair for school. Isabelle was having some difficulty in math and we got her some tutoring again. My husband and I divorced about 2 years ago and she is adjusting a little better now. She and I have a very close relationship now and talk together about how she feels and I am supportive of her and try to understand and sympathize with her when she is upset.
2. How well is your child adapting to social situations in the home and outside the home? Does your child have any behavior or emotional problems at this point? Why do you think these problems are occurring and what are you doing about them?
Well, Isabelle had some problems after my husband and I divorced but she is doing better now. We spend lots of time together when we are not in school or work and I take her places and we go on vacations to the beach to take a break. She is doing better now and her grades have improved at school.
3. Has your parenting changed since the preschool period and if so, why do you think it has changed and what effect might this have on your child? Refer to your textbook or lecture notes for evidence on typical changes in parenting that occur in middle childhood.
My parenting has changed a bit, It is transforming into a coregulation relationship. “Coregulation: a transitional form of supervision in which they exercise general oversight while permitting children to be in charge of moment by moment decision making”(Berk269). We have a mutual respect for one another and she knows she has to follow my rules and I will be more openhanded with her in letting her do more on her own. I think this will make Isabelle more confident and build her self-esteem and that I trust her. I think this will give her confidence she needs venture into the world as an adult.
Isabelle is doing well in school she is getting good grades and is above level in reading skills. She was has trouble with calming herself down when she is upset and it can affect how she is in school with other students but she gets along with kids for the most part. Isabelle has advanced skills in art and loves to do projects. I set her up with art supplies in a sunny corner in the house so she can do projects. She also entered her art in a fair for school. Isabelle was having some difficulty in math and we got her some tutoring again. My husband and I divorced about 2 years ago and she is adjusting a little better now. She and I have a very close relationship now and talk together about how she feels and I am supportive of her and try to understand and sympathize with her when she is upset.
2. How well is your child adapting to social situations in the home and outside the home? Does your child have any behavior or emotional problems at this point? Why do you think these problems are occurring and what are you doing about them?
Well, Isabelle had some problems after my husband and I divorced but she is doing better now. We spend lots of time together when we are not in school or work and I take her places and we go on vacations to the beach to take a break. She is doing better now and her grades have improved at school.
3. Has your parenting changed since the preschool period and if so, why do you think it has changed and what effect might this have on your child? Refer to your textbook or lecture notes for evidence on typical changes in parenting that occur in middle childhood.
My parenting has changed a bit, It is transforming into a coregulation relationship. “Coregulation: a transitional form of supervision in which they exercise general oversight while permitting children to be in charge of moment by moment decision making”(Berk269). We have a mutual respect for one another and she knows she has to follow my rules and I will be more openhanded with her in letting her do more on her own. I think this will make Isabelle more confident and build her self-esteem and that I trust her. I think this will give her confidence she needs venture into the world as an adult.
Monday, October 20, 2008
8 years 11 mo
1. How smart is your child, and in what areas? Think back to the blurb on multiple intelligences that appeared at age 6. Find specific evidence regarding your child's verbal, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical and bodily-kinesthetic intelligence from your observations of your own child as well as the psychologist's report at age 8 years, 11 months.
Isabelle has turned out to be very verbally strong and loves to read and write, she loves to write stories and read them to people. She also is very strong in arts, building things and making projects. She has shown a interest in music and started clarinet lessons after school. As far as bodily-kinesthetic she is very active in sports and loves playing with the kids in the neighborhood softball. Isabelle’s mathematic ability above average, at 6 we had to get her some tutoring but now she is doing really well and is ahead in school in math and reading. Overall she is a very smart little girl… that may sound bias coming from her mother but she is undoubtedly a smart little girl.
2. Describe some examples of your child's behavior or thinking that you think are due to typical American gender role socialization and explain why you think so. Several examples can be found at ages 6 and 8. How closely does your attitude toward gender roles correspond to typical American attitudes, and if there is a discrepancy, to what do you attribute this (e.g., cultural background, attitudes of your own parents, etc.)?
Isabelle plays with girls most of the time and likes to play with dolls but she also likes sports. I can see how gender typing plays a role in her choice of friends and things she does. However I make sure she knows that it’s ok to play sports she likes and still be a girl or still be just as feminine. I think our culture has changed in the last couple generations to be more accepting to other types of jobs for instance, men can be nurses woman are doctors, firefighters, police officers can enlist in the army, men are stay at home dads. My parents were more traditional, my Mom stayed at home with the kids while my Dad worked. My parents didn’t think that woman should be in the military, or be pastors of a church but these are things that are more widely accepted. Just like men becoming a nurse, my parents would have never seen that too often but now a lot of men are considering that career.
3. How might your child's development have been different if s/he was raised by people with a different socioeconomic, ethnic or cultural background? Base your answer on specific evidence of SES/cultural differences from the textbook and class lectures.
It could have changed her development either negatively or positively. If she was in a home that was in poverty, she may not have gotten the nourishment needed to develop and she possibly wouldn’t be as far ahead in reading and writing and doing as well in school if she didn’t have educated parents. It could have affected her attachment to the parent if she lived in a different country. Children in the US tend to be more securely attached then children in Germany who have a tendency to be more avoidant in attachment. This would affect her later in the way she deals with situations and her relationship with parents and how well she listens.
Isabelle has turned out to be very verbally strong and loves to read and write, she loves to write stories and read them to people. She also is very strong in arts, building things and making projects. She has shown a interest in music and started clarinet lessons after school. As far as bodily-kinesthetic she is very active in sports and loves playing with the kids in the neighborhood softball. Isabelle’s mathematic ability above average, at 6 we had to get her some tutoring but now she is doing really well and is ahead in school in math and reading. Overall she is a very smart little girl… that may sound bias coming from her mother but she is undoubtedly a smart little girl.
2. Describe some examples of your child's behavior or thinking that you think are due to typical American gender role socialization and explain why you think so. Several examples can be found at ages 6 and 8. How closely does your attitude toward gender roles correspond to typical American attitudes, and if there is a discrepancy, to what do you attribute this (e.g., cultural background, attitudes of your own parents, etc.)?
Isabelle plays with girls most of the time and likes to play with dolls but she also likes sports. I can see how gender typing plays a role in her choice of friends and things she does. However I make sure she knows that it’s ok to play sports she likes and still be a girl or still be just as feminine. I think our culture has changed in the last couple generations to be more accepting to other types of jobs for instance, men can be nurses woman are doctors, firefighters, police officers can enlist in the army, men are stay at home dads. My parents were more traditional, my Mom stayed at home with the kids while my Dad worked. My parents didn’t think that woman should be in the military, or be pastors of a church but these are things that are more widely accepted. Just like men becoming a nurse, my parents would have never seen that too often but now a lot of men are considering that career.
3. How might your child's development have been different if s/he was raised by people with a different socioeconomic, ethnic or cultural background? Base your answer on specific evidence of SES/cultural differences from the textbook and class lectures.
It could have changed her development either negatively or positively. If she was in a home that was in poverty, she may not have gotten the nourishment needed to develop and she possibly wouldn’t be as far ahead in reading and writing and doing as well in school if she didn’t have educated parents. It could have affected her attachment to the parent if she lived in a different country. Children in the US tend to be more securely attached then children in Germany who have a tendency to be more avoidant in attachment. This would affect her later in the way she deals with situations and her relationship with parents and how well she listens.
Monday, October 13, 2008
6 years old
1. How well is your child adapting to social situations in the home and outside the home? Does your child have any behavior or emotional problems at this point? Why do you think these problems are occurring and what are you doing about them?
Isabelle is having some trouble because my husband and I have separated; she has been sad and angry. She has trouble with keeping the same friends and is back and forth not getting along with her friends. She is getting better but it is taking time, she is doing pretty well at school in her class work but she doesn’t follow the rules all the time, but her teacher says she is doing fine. I think her problems are stemming from the recent separation. She is also wanting to be around me and do what I am doing all the time.
2. Do you notice any improvements in cognitive and language skills since age 4? Give specific examples. Does your child have any special needs with regard to cognitive or language development at this point and what do you plan to do?
Isabelle is able to hold a conversation with a adult without my help, she is doing well in her development. She is becoming a great reader and is showing interest in singing. So I don’t see her as a special needs child’s, but I got her some help with math because she was struggling a bit but her report card came in with high scores in mathematics so that seemed to help her.
3. Which aspects of your child’s behavior and personality reflect continuities from earlier behavior (e.g., at ages 3-4 years) and which seem to be novel for this age level?
She seems to be hard to calm down when she is upset and switches friends a lot, although she always has friends so that seems to be part of her personality no matter what I do. She is a little moody sometimes. She has taken a liking to music which she didn’t have a interest in before, she is playing a keyboard.
Isabelle is having some trouble because my husband and I have separated; she has been sad and angry. She has trouble with keeping the same friends and is back and forth not getting along with her friends. She is getting better but it is taking time, she is doing pretty well at school in her class work but she doesn’t follow the rules all the time, but her teacher says she is doing fine. I think her problems are stemming from the recent separation. She is also wanting to be around me and do what I am doing all the time.
2. Do you notice any improvements in cognitive and language skills since age 4? Give specific examples. Does your child have any special needs with regard to cognitive or language development at this point and what do you plan to do?
Isabelle is able to hold a conversation with a adult without my help, she is doing well in her development. She is becoming a great reader and is showing interest in singing. So I don’t see her as a special needs child’s, but I got her some help with math because she was struggling a bit but her report card came in with high scores in mathematics so that seemed to help her.
3. Which aspects of your child’s behavior and personality reflect continuities from earlier behavior (e.g., at ages 3-4 years) and which seem to be novel for this age level?
She seems to be hard to calm down when she is upset and switches friends a lot, although she always has friends so that seems to be part of her personality no matter what I do. She is a little moody sometimes. She has taken a liking to music which she didn’t have a interest in before, she is playing a keyboard.
Friday, October 10, 2008
4 years old
1. How would you characterize your parenting style? How have your specific parenting techniques changed since infancy? In what ways do you think your parenting style, or any other aspect of your parenting, has been influenced by your cultural background or other experiences?
I think that I am authoritarian in my parenting style, Isabelle seems to be developing well and I talk with her about rules and explain them to her and talk to her when she is in trouble and tell her what why she is in trouble. They have changed in the way that I make sure that I am listening ore patiently with her to make sure there are no misunderstandings. My mother and father had authoritarian parenting styles and looking back I have always thought that the way they dealt with us kids was fair and right most of the time.
2. Describe two specific examples of changes in your child’s behavior at age 4 that seem to stem from growth in cognitive and language ability since the period of infancy (e.g., improvements in symbolic thinking, reasoning, knowledge of the world, theory of mind).
She is talking a lot and is very social at school she is getting along with kids and controlling her temper better. She can also read a few words and write her name. She is excelling in art and mathematical skills and shapes.
3. How would you characterize your child’s personality? Would you say that your child is primarily over-controlled, under-controlled or resilient? Support your argument
I would say that Isabelle is resilient. She is very social makes friends and solves problems very well by herself. She has a high vocabulary and is makes friends fairly easily. She listens to rules and does well in a group setting.
I think that I am authoritarian in my parenting style, Isabelle seems to be developing well and I talk with her about rules and explain them to her and talk to her when she is in trouble and tell her what why she is in trouble. They have changed in the way that I make sure that I am listening ore patiently with her to make sure there are no misunderstandings. My mother and father had authoritarian parenting styles and looking back I have always thought that the way they dealt with us kids was fair and right most of the time.
2. Describe two specific examples of changes in your child’s behavior at age 4 that seem to stem from growth in cognitive and language ability since the period of infancy (e.g., improvements in symbolic thinking, reasoning, knowledge of the world, theory of mind).
She is talking a lot and is very social at school she is getting along with kids and controlling her temper better. She can also read a few words and write her name. She is excelling in art and mathematical skills and shapes.
3. How would you characterize your child’s personality? Would you say that your child is primarily over-controlled, under-controlled or resilient? Support your argument
I would say that Isabelle is resilient. She is very social makes friends and solves problems very well by herself. She has a high vocabulary and is makes friends fairly easily. She listens to rules and does well in a group setting.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Isabelle at 3 years
1. What activities and experiences that you and your child engage in might be promoting healthy behavioral practices and an interest in physical activity?
We play with Isabelle and make sure she is engaging in physical activity daily, we take her out to play games and go riding on her tri-cycle, she seems to have a lower than average energy level and gets tired and doesn’t want to play anymore so we encourage her physical activity to stretch her endurance.
2. Describe development of your child’s language and cognitive skills and discuss how these might be affecting his or her interactions with you & your responses.
Isabelle is above average in this area, she is able to speak in sentences and tell stories. We sometimes have misunderstandings and I have to be patient and tell her to use her words.
3. How well is your child adapting to social situations in the home and outside the home? Does your child have any behavior or emotional problems at this point? Why do you think these problems are occurring and what are you doing about them?
She has a difficult time with getting along with other kids at times when it comes to sharing toys, but she has friends and is very social at preschool. It was recommended we are extra affectionate with Isabelle to stop this issue. Other than that we took a parenting questionnaire and rated average on how we deal with Isabelle’s discipline and control with her.
We play with Isabelle and make sure she is engaging in physical activity daily, we take her out to play games and go riding on her tri-cycle, she seems to have a lower than average energy level and gets tired and doesn’t want to play anymore so we encourage her physical activity to stretch her endurance.
2. Describe development of your child’s language and cognitive skills and discuss how these might be affecting his or her interactions with you & your responses.
Isabelle is above average in this area, she is able to speak in sentences and tell stories. We sometimes have misunderstandings and I have to be patient and tell her to use her words.
3. How well is your child adapting to social situations in the home and outside the home? Does your child have any behavior or emotional problems at this point? Why do you think these problems are occurring and what are you doing about them?
She has a difficult time with getting along with other kids at times when it comes to sharing toys, but she has friends and is very social at preschool. It was recommended we are extra affectionate with Isabelle to stop this issue. Other than that we took a parenting questionnaire and rated average on how we deal with Isabelle’s discipline and control with her.
Monday, September 22, 2008
2 1/2 years old
1. Have there been any environmental events in your child’s first 2 1/2 years that you think might have influenced his or her behavior? On what do you base your hypotheses?
Isabelle is doing well but she seems very clingy to me and has the usual temper as a 2 year old would have but sometimes she gets exasperated with me because I might not be understanding her totally. She sometimes has tantrums she cant calm herself down. The only thing I can think would be the source of the problem would be a lack of time outs with misbehavior
2. How is your child progressing on typical toddler issues, such as learning household rules, learning to follow routines, listening to you, developing self control and learning to get along with other children?
She needs some reminders about house hold rules... she just fell off the chair and hit her head becuase she wasnt obeying the rules... I brought her to the doctore and she had a minor concussion but was fine later. Her self control could use somemore development. She gets along with other kids very well. I would say she is the typical toddler...
3. Analyze your own parenting philosophy and practices. What principles from social learning theory, Bowlby, Ainsworth, Piaget, Vygotsky, information processing theory, developmental neuroscience and other theories do you appear to have relied on in making your parenting choices or interpreting your child’s behavior? Include three principles/theorists from the above list in your answer
I believe I follow more closely to Vygostky in the way that I am very vocal with Isabelle. We talk alot and interact with eachother verbally all the time. I spend a lot of time playing games with her and talking so we can grow that bond. I believe she is a typical 2 year old. Although I also believe that piaget cognitive prossessing is a good example of how kids construct knowlege as they manipulate objects. Isabelle is good with objects and taking things apart and figuring them out. I have had to learn to be more understanding and patient with her temperment, that is helping her development. We are communicating better now. I just found out I am virtually pregnant... so that will be the next talk...
Isabelle is doing well but she seems very clingy to me and has the usual temper as a 2 year old would have but sometimes she gets exasperated with me because I might not be understanding her totally. She sometimes has tantrums she cant calm herself down. The only thing I can think would be the source of the problem would be a lack of time outs with misbehavior
2. How is your child progressing on typical toddler issues, such as learning household rules, learning to follow routines, listening to you, developing self control and learning to get along with other children?
She needs some reminders about house hold rules... she just fell off the chair and hit her head becuase she wasnt obeying the rules... I brought her to the doctore and she had a minor concussion but was fine later. Her self control could use somemore development. She gets along with other kids very well. I would say she is the typical toddler...
3. Analyze your own parenting philosophy and practices. What principles from social learning theory, Bowlby, Ainsworth, Piaget, Vygotsky, information processing theory, developmental neuroscience and other theories do you appear to have relied on in making your parenting choices or interpreting your child’s behavior? Include three principles/theorists from the above list in your answer
I believe I follow more closely to Vygostky in the way that I am very vocal with Isabelle. We talk alot and interact with eachother verbally all the time. I spend a lot of time playing games with her and talking so we can grow that bond. I believe she is a typical 2 year old. Although I also believe that piaget cognitive prossessing is a good example of how kids construct knowlege as they manipulate objects. Isabelle is good with objects and taking things apart and figuring them out. I have had to learn to be more understanding and patient with her temperment, that is helping her development. We are communicating better now. I just found out I am virtually pregnant... so that will be the next talk...
Monday, September 15, 2008
Isabelle8-18 months
1. Describe and give examples of changes in your child’s exploratory or problem solving behavior from 8 through 18 months and categorize them according to Piagetian and information processing theories. Note that 8 months is included, so you'll need to use the time-line to look back at 8 months for examples.
Isabelle has been getting so big. She is so mechanical. She enjoys sitting and working on puzzles and building blocks. She is very mellow and likes mellow activities. I have been trying to stretch her interests so she can learn to play with other kids. So I take her to the park and to play groups. I have again tried the object permanence test on her and she did so well! She enjoys finding the object and doing it over and over. She is getting really good at it. The last time I tried it she liked the game but didn’t get it every time and was more easily distracted. Another thing she is doing, she plays with a ball and throws it against the wall constantly and each time watching where the ball goes, she is so smart, she even does it in different directions to see where it goes. Sometimes it even hits her in the face and she cracks up laughing. She is showing Processing theories when she throws the ball against the wall or she is building puzzles. She is not showing much interest in music, she likes it but isn’t all that inclined to the dancing to rhythms. She is showing lots of interest in exploring the world around her by wanting down to run around and look at things. She is my little explorer, Isabelle has to be watched at all times or she will run of and get into trouble. She already climbed on a chair when I wasn’t looking and fell off and got a concussion. She keeps me on my toes.
2. Analyze your baby’s temperament in more detail at 18 months than you did at 8 months. How would you describe your baby in terms of the five aspects of temperament utilized by the Virtual Child program (activity, sociability, emotionality, aggressiveness vs. cooperativeness, and self control)? Has Isabelle's temperament been stable over the first 18 months? A blurb defining and providing examples of the five aspects of temperament is provided at 12 months, but you should seek out further explanations of temperament from your textbook. Explain how the concept of goodness of fit (also discussed in the blurb on infant temperament) applies to your interactions with your child.
Isabelle’s activity level seems to be lower than some. She likes quite pass times, playing with blocks and building puzzles. Isabelle is social with people she knows well, she plays well with other children, but is slow to warm up to strangers. I would say she may be a little on the introverted side. We will see what happens as she gets older. Isabelle is an emotional girl, like her Mommy. She gets excited when others are excited and when she is mad…look out…When she is sad she cries… she is getting better at handling her emotions but still has a hard time getting control of herself which I think will develop with maturity. Isabelle is pretty cooperative with other kids and isn’t very aggressive unless provoked by another child taking a toy she throws tantrums with me sometimes but it’s the usual trying to control the situation to get her way. This also leads into her self control; we have to work on getting her to communicate what is bothering her instead of losing her temper. So to deal with this she goes on time out when she is unable to get a hold of herself and continues to throw a tantrum. As far as goodness to fit, she is more of a quiet and to herself child that likes to play with blocks and puzzles, so I play puzzles with her and try to see if I can get her interested in other activities, I can see in the future, trying to go with her more often instead of push her to be active… I guess I should be thankful she isn’t hyper never stopping. I just want to make sure she is learning all she needs to be at this age.
3. Were you surprised by anything in the developmental assessment at 19 months? That is, does your perception of your child's physical, cognitive, language and social development differ from that of the developmental examiner? Give specific examples. If you were not surprised, write instead about some aspects of your child's development that need the most work.
I was a little surprised by the by the developmental assistants comment that we need to work on communication with Isabelle and try to read her reactions a little more closely. She thinks Isabelle is securely attached but we just need to communicate a little better, which I can see since she can be easily irritated at times. I am going to try to work on our interpersonal communication so we can have less frustration when we are having a difficult time communicating.
Isabelle has been getting so big. She is so mechanical. She enjoys sitting and working on puzzles and building blocks. She is very mellow and likes mellow activities. I have been trying to stretch her interests so she can learn to play with other kids. So I take her to the park and to play groups. I have again tried the object permanence test on her and she did so well! She enjoys finding the object and doing it over and over. She is getting really good at it. The last time I tried it she liked the game but didn’t get it every time and was more easily distracted. Another thing she is doing, she plays with a ball and throws it against the wall constantly and each time watching where the ball goes, she is so smart, she even does it in different directions to see where it goes. Sometimes it even hits her in the face and she cracks up laughing. She is showing Processing theories when she throws the ball against the wall or she is building puzzles. She is not showing much interest in music, she likes it but isn’t all that inclined to the dancing to rhythms. She is showing lots of interest in exploring the world around her by wanting down to run around and look at things. She is my little explorer, Isabelle has to be watched at all times or she will run of and get into trouble. She already climbed on a chair when I wasn’t looking and fell off and got a concussion. She keeps me on my toes.
2. Analyze your baby’s temperament in more detail at 18 months than you did at 8 months. How would you describe your baby in terms of the five aspects of temperament utilized by the Virtual Child program (activity, sociability, emotionality, aggressiveness vs. cooperativeness, and self control)? Has Isabelle's temperament been stable over the first 18 months? A blurb defining and providing examples of the five aspects of temperament is provided at 12 months, but you should seek out further explanations of temperament from your textbook. Explain how the concept of goodness of fit (also discussed in the blurb on infant temperament) applies to your interactions with your child.
Isabelle’s activity level seems to be lower than some. She likes quite pass times, playing with blocks and building puzzles. Isabelle is social with people she knows well, she plays well with other children, but is slow to warm up to strangers. I would say she may be a little on the introverted side. We will see what happens as she gets older. Isabelle is an emotional girl, like her Mommy. She gets excited when others are excited and when she is mad…look out…When she is sad she cries… she is getting better at handling her emotions but still has a hard time getting control of herself which I think will develop with maturity. Isabelle is pretty cooperative with other kids and isn’t very aggressive unless provoked by another child taking a toy she throws tantrums with me sometimes but it’s the usual trying to control the situation to get her way. This also leads into her self control; we have to work on getting her to communicate what is bothering her instead of losing her temper. So to deal with this she goes on time out when she is unable to get a hold of herself and continues to throw a tantrum. As far as goodness to fit, she is more of a quiet and to herself child that likes to play with blocks and puzzles, so I play puzzles with her and try to see if I can get her interested in other activities, I can see in the future, trying to go with her more often instead of push her to be active… I guess I should be thankful she isn’t hyper never stopping. I just want to make sure she is learning all she needs to be at this age.
3. Were you surprised by anything in the developmental assessment at 19 months? That is, does your perception of your child's physical, cognitive, language and social development differ from that of the developmental examiner? Give specific examples. If you were not surprised, write instead about some aspects of your child's development that need the most work.
I was a little surprised by the by the developmental assistants comment that we need to work on communication with Isabelle and try to read her reactions a little more closely. She thinks Isabelle is securely attached but we just need to communicate a little better, which I can see since she can be easily irritated at times. I am going to try to work on our interpersonal communication so we can have less frustration when we are having a difficult time communicating.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Isabelle 0-8 months old
Isabelle is 9 months old now. The following three questions can be used as a writing/discussion assignment.
1. How does your baby’s eating, sleeping and motor development compare to the typical developmental patterns?
2. At 8 months of age was your child an “easy”, “slow-to-warm-up”, or “difficult” baby in terms of Thomas and Chess’s classic temperamental categories? On what do you base this judgement?
3. How is your child’s attachment to you and your partner developing? What is happening at the 3-month and 8-month periods that might affect attachment security according to Bowlby and Ainsworth, and various research studies?
Remember that you can use the time-line at the top of the program to look back at questions at any age-level you have already passed through.
Isabelle's eating is ok,but she is a little slow in her eating patterns, she just had some trouble with indigestion and diarhhea, so I changed her formula to see if that seemed to help. She is advanced in her motor skills, she enjoys crawling and pulling up to stand a play with objects. She is very interested in everything around her and makes good eye contact with people. Isabelle is a little slow to warm up but she seems to warm up quickly to friendly smiling people.Especially when myself or my husband are near. Her temperment seems to follow easy going she hasnt had any major issues she eats sleeps and gets around like any other 8 month old. She has a little issue with going to bed at night but calms down after a few minutes. Although when she is upset she has a difficult time calming her self down. I have had to learn to be patient with her, she is very sensitive. Isabelle is very attached to me, my husband spends some extra time with her to bond so that she can grow closer to him as well and detach a little from me, in the beginning she spent more time with me as I was at home with her and my husband was at work. I had to return to work reciently, so she had difficulty going to daycare because she had a little separation anxiety.She just wanted me to be with her.
1. How does your baby’s eating, sleeping and motor development compare to the typical developmental patterns?
2. At 8 months of age was your child an “easy”, “slow-to-warm-up”, or “difficult” baby in terms of Thomas and Chess’s classic temperamental categories? On what do you base this judgement?
3. How is your child’s attachment to you and your partner developing? What is happening at the 3-month and 8-month periods that might affect attachment security according to Bowlby and Ainsworth, and various research studies?
Remember that you can use the time-line at the top of the program to look back at questions at any age-level you have already passed through.
Isabelle's eating is ok,but she is a little slow in her eating patterns, she just had some trouble with indigestion and diarhhea, so I changed her formula to see if that seemed to help. She is advanced in her motor skills, she enjoys crawling and pulling up to stand a play with objects. She is very interested in everything around her and makes good eye contact with people. Isabelle is a little slow to warm up but she seems to warm up quickly to friendly smiling people.Especially when myself or my husband are near. Her temperment seems to follow easy going she hasnt had any major issues she eats sleeps and gets around like any other 8 month old. She has a little issue with going to bed at night but calms down after a few minutes. Although when she is upset she has a difficult time calming her self down. I have had to learn to be patient with her, she is very sensitive. Isabelle is very attached to me, my husband spends some extra time with her to bond so that she can grow closer to him as well and detach a little from me, in the beginning she spent more time with me as I was at home with her and my husband was at work. I had to return to work reciently, so she had difficulty going to daycare because she had a little separation anxiety.She just wanted me to be with her.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Isabelle is Born
I am a proud parent of a virtual baby girl, I have named Isabelle. She was born after 10 hours of labor, naturally without any medication. We are so happy she is healthy, and amazed we have brought her into the world. She has light skin, green eyes and medium colored hair.
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