PURPOSE The objective of this activity is to identify available community resources for early childhood education.
ASSIGNMENT STATEMENT: (1) Research the extent and quality of early childhood education programs in the local community. (2) Are there local organizations that disseminate information about child care providers and preschools? (3) What sorts of curricula exist in preschools (e.g., Montessori)? (4) Is there a Head Start program available for children? (5) Does the local school district offer services as a mandate of federal legislation? If so, what are the services and how many children are served? (6) Prepare a report summarizing findings.(7) What kinds of improvement could be made to local resources?
18. Parenting Styles
PURPOSE The objective of this activity is to develop awareness of the various parenting styles and their effects on children’s development.
ACTIVITY STATEMENT: (1) Interview at least five parents. In order to understand the different parenting styles—authoritarian, authoritative, permissive-indulgent, and permissive-indifferent—have each parent describe their method of dealing with their child. Most parents are a mix of all parenting styles.(2) Provide a rationale for their choices. (3) Comment on their own parents' styles. (4) What cohort, historical, or environmental factors influence parenting style? (Four elements)
PURPOSE The objective of this activity is to develop consequences of misbehavior.
ASSIGNMENT STATEMENT: (1) Using the questions in the instructions below, identify the logical consequences of misbehavior in preschoolers. (2) Discuss recommended consequences.(3) Discuss their appropriateness in light of the topics presented in this course and your personal experiences. (Three elements)
Logical Consequences of Misbehavior
Instructions: Arbitrary punishments are rarely effective in the long run. Another alternative in helping a young child become self-disciplined is to provide the experience of developmentally appropriate consequences. Since the preschooler lives very much in the here-and-now, the consequence must happen right now.
What consequence do you recommend for the following? Explain your answers based on what you have learned about the psychosocial development of preschoolers.
1. A four-year-old throws blocks instead of building with them.
2. In a preschool classroom, a three-and-one-half-year-old interferes with circle singing by shouting.
3. A four-year-old has just had a third "accidental" juice spill.
4. A child tells "tall stories."
5. At the easel, one child keeps painting on the other's paper.
6. One child runs away from the group during a neighborhood walk.
7. A child refuses to come indoors when told to do so.
8. A child is very noisy while riding in the car.
9. A child kicks other children.
10. A child bangs on the piano with his or her fists.