Children aren't the same so why teach them like so?
By: Chris, Dakota, Marisa, & Molly
As they say, more than meets the eye. Teachers often classify children who are not paying attention in class as misbehaving, this is not always the case and may be due to various underlying factors.
Different Children, Different Learning Capabilities
Excerpt of Essay 1:
"Educators have a lot of responsibility, both literally in the day-to-day tasks and in the lasting effect that they can have on their students. In addition to creating lessons, grading assignments, following standards, and providing feedback to their students, teachers also have the great responsibility of fostering an environment where each and every student can grow academically, socially, and personally. With a number of students, all having different backgrounds, temperaments, social skills and personal motivations, this is no easy feat. Developmental psychology provides great insight into the relationship between nature and nurture and how it can be used in the classroom to understand each student, and to make decisions based on such understanding. Educators may know that one size does not fit all from the surface, but it can be invaluable to understand this saying at a deeper level."
Parenting vs. Teaching
Excerpt of Essay 2:
"Beyond the genetic and biological predispositions that influence a student’s behavior, there are also layers of cultural influences that an educator must consider as well. Culture encapsulates more of the nurture in the nature and nurture relationship. Students come from varying households with varying styles of parenting, socioeconomic status, and attachment styles. As an educator, while you can’t always change the background of the student, you can take the role that education plays in the culture of a student’s life, to provide a baseline of support that they may not get elsewhere."
Teachers wear many hats meaning that they do more than just educate their students. They take on many roles depending on their students' needs.
All children need support, they just need it in different ways.
Role of Socialization
Excerpt of Essay 3:
"It is no secret that socialization is powerful in a child’s development and success later in life. With school being the place where most socialization occurs, it is also the place where children can learn healthy and unhealthy social behaviors. Academic professionals can aid in the development of healthy social behaviors and attitudes by focusing on when and how healthy socialization occurs. With children having varying social instincts and exposure to social interactions, it is important to be mindful of social power structures and when it is appropriate to step in, and when it may not be necessary."
About Us:
Chris - "I am a senior at Pacific University, majoring in psychology in hopes to practice clinical psychology in the future. I was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii and moved to the mainland 4 years ago. I am very passionate about mental health awareness and hope to learn all that I can, in hopes to one day return home to help combat the challenges surrounding mental health and its lack of recognition. Development and its process must be understood, because childhood is the critical period in the formation of personality."
Dakota - "I am a senior at Pacific University and I am majoring in psychology. This work is important to me because I have seen too many people failed by our education system because of how everyone is expected to be similar. All kids are different and they deserve to be treated in the way the best benefits them. Children's development should be a top priority in the US because they are the future."
Marisa - "I am originally from Salem, Oregon and spent some of my time living in Nebraska where I obtained an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from Metropolitan Community College. Currently, at Pacific University I am studying to receive my B.A. in psychology in order to pursue a career in child psychology. I grew up as an only child and struggled with mental health throughout my childhood well into my adulthood, which is why I am in the process of going into the profession where I am able to help children psychologically."
Molly - "I am an undergraduate student at Pacific University majoring in psychology and business administration. Growing up with two parents, who were both teachers, I have always been mindful of the role that educators can play in a child’s life and society in general. To be able to provide other educators with tips from a developmental psychology perspective, has been valuable. I enjoyed showing my mom (a first-grade teacher) our project, and our in-depth discussions about them thereafter."
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