Allen’s Case Study
Madaline Becker
Millersville University Introduction:
At the age of ten, Allen is in the end stages of ‘middle childhood’ – a time when “many children experience good health and steady growth as they master new athletic skills, learn thousands of words, become less dependent on families.” (Berger 2008, p. 321). This time, which extends from ages six to eleven, is a time marked by the growth and maturation of the child, in both body and mind, a time when a child is learning how to interact with the world and those around him, both physically, socially, and emotionally (Berger 2008). Children will transition into elementary school, if they have not already, as well as face the transition from their elementary schools …show more content…
One of those is psychologist Lee Vygotsky, whose ideas center around the fact that people learn from the actions of others, whether just from observation alone, or from guided participation (Berger 2008). Vygotsky placed emphasis on the importance of instruction above all else. These ideas can be especially important when looking at child development, as this has the potential to be the foundation of future experiences, as many times, the first way something is taught is often the way it is remembered. As Berger (2008) states, Vygotsky “thought that peers and teachers provide the bridge between developmental potential and needed skills and knowledge…” In Allen’s case, because of his inability to connect with his peers, he is missing an important pool of knowledge, and his educational career may suffer for it. Without a connection between him and those his own age, he is missing a large group of potential helpers and teachers, in both academic and emotional …show more content…
Not only could Allen be missing out on peers as mentors, but he could be getting more negative influences from other things around him, such as what he may see on television, in magazines, or in video games. In some way, aggressive behavior is being taught to Allen, and, in combination with behaviorist terms, somehow the aggressive behavior is being reinforced. One potential way to overcome this obstacle is to examine Allen’s habits, and see if anything particular stands out that could be influencing his aggressive or violent tendencies, and remove or replace whatever stimulus or person that may
Madaline Becker
Millersville University Introduction:
At the age of ten, Allen is in the end stages of ‘middle childhood’ – a time when “many children experience good health and steady growth as they master new athletic skills, learn thousands of words, become less dependent on families.” (Berger 2008, p. 321). This time, which extends from ages six to eleven, is a time marked by the growth and maturation of the child, in both body and mind, a time when a child is learning how to interact with the world and those around him, both physically, socially, and emotionally (Berger 2008). Children will transition into elementary school, if they have not already, as well as face the transition from their elementary schools …show more content…
One of those is psychologist Lee Vygotsky, whose ideas center around the fact that people learn from the actions of others, whether just from observation alone, or from guided participation (Berger 2008). Vygotsky placed emphasis on the importance of instruction above all else. These ideas can be especially important when looking at child development, as this has the potential to be the foundation of future experiences, as many times, the first way something is taught is often the way it is remembered. As Berger (2008) states, Vygotsky “thought that peers and teachers provide the bridge between developmental potential and needed skills and knowledge…” In Allen’s case, because of his inability to connect with his peers, he is missing an important pool of knowledge, and his educational career may suffer for it. Without a connection between him and those his own age, he is missing a large group of potential helpers and teachers, in both academic and emotional …show more content…
Not only could Allen be missing out on peers as mentors, but he could be getting more negative influences from other things around him, such as what he may see on television, in magazines, or in video games. In some way, aggressive behavior is being taught to Allen, and, in combination with behaviorist terms, somehow the aggressive behavior is being reinforced. One potential way to overcome this obstacle is to examine Allen’s habits, and see if anything particular stands out that could be influencing his aggressive or violent tendencies, and remove or replace whatever stimulus or person that may