ED 671 Social and Emotional Development Strand Introduction

(all units in strand required)

 

 

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Learning theory intro: (all required)

Social development intro: (all required)

COMPLETE THIS STRAND FIRST - ALL UNITS - THEN MOVE ON TO THE LEARNING THEORY STRAND!

Introduction to the Social and Emotional Development strand

In educational psychology we talk about both learning and development. Learning is something that occurs through experience but development is usually a factor of growth or natural processes. In this strand, we will focus on social and emotional development which is the kind of development most important for middle school age kids (in my opinion). The text below does outline some issues of physical development (puberty) and these are clearly important for middle school kids as well but we will focus less on those... though they may intersect with issues of social and emotional development.

Complete each unit in this strand and then complete your Movie Review assignment (see 671 home). Send your Movie Review Assignment to Mark via email by midnight on Friday, August 17th.

Here's a brief overview of developmental issues for middle school age kids:

Parents are often worried or confused by changes in their teenagers. The following information should help parents understand this phase of development. Each teenager is an individual with aunique personality and special interests, likes and dislikes. However, there are also numerous developmental issues that everyone faces during the adolescent years. The normal feelings and behaviors of the middle school and early high school adolescent are described below.

Movement Towards Independence

* Struggle with sense of identity
* Feeling awkward or strange about one's self and one's body
* Focus on self, alternating between high expectations and poor self- concept
* Interests and clothing style influenced by peer group
* Moodiness
* Improved ability to use speech to express one's self
* Realization that parents are not perfect; identification of their faults
* Less overt affection shown to parents, with occasional rudeness
* Complaints that parents interfere with independence
* Tendency to return to childish behavior, particularly when stressed

Future Interests and Cognitive Changes

* Mostly interested in present, limited thoughts of future
* Intellectual interests expand and gain in importance
* Greater ability to do work (physical, mental, emotional)

Sexuality

* Display shyness, blushing, and modesty
* Girls develop physically sooner than boys
* Increased interest in the opposite sex
* Movement toward heterosexuality with fears of homosexuality
* Concerns regarding physical and sexual attractiveness to others
* Frequently changing relationships
* Worries about being normal

Morals, Values, and Self-Direction

* Rule and limit testing
* Capacity for abstract thought
* Development of ideals and selection of role models
* More consistent evidence of conscience
* Experimentation with sex and drugs (cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana)

Teenagers do vary slightly from the above descriptions, but the feelings and behaviors are, in general, considered normal for each stage of adolescence. This text borrowed from here.