Socio Cultural Factors In Child Development Education Essay

Socio Cultural Factors In Child Development Education Essay Children are the future of every nation and people have always strived for helping them to reach the most of their potential in the life span. Todays children have more complex needs which should be fulfilled for their proper level of development. In this work we will try to overview three well-known theories of child development and analyze the similarities and differences between them, as it is very topical to know already existing theories to evaluate properly modern approaches to child education; and find out the essence of interaction of cognitive, physical and emotional development of children to realize the importance of knowing o their needs. Lev Vygotsky focused on the socio-cultural factors in child development which he considered the most valuable. He stated that most of knowledge which every child gets in the course of his development is provided by a wise and experienced tutor (mostly parent or teacher). The tutor provides the child with both verbal and nonverbal instructions which the child is meant to follow. And natural curiosity of the child helps him to do this. Vygotsky believed that higher mental processes in the individual have their origin in social processes.  [1]  Moreover Vygotsky maintained that that social learning had a tendency of preceding development. Vygotsky was sure that learning was a necessary and universal aspect of the process of developing culturally organized, specifically human psychological function.  [2]   Also Vygotsky developed a system of higher mental functions. These functions are developed from the cultural tool, which are got by children unconsciously, in the process of getting the cultural, historical and other information through the verbal and nonverbal interaction with a tutor. In the process of development children learn how to use these cultural tools. Higher mental functions include: attention, verbal thinking and memory. It is interesting that among all the mental tools Lev Vygotsky considered language as the most specific and important one. On the one hand it is a necessary mean to provide children with verbal instructions, while on the other hand it serves as an effective means for intellectual adaptation of a child. Private speech according to Vygotsys theory helps children to make needed strategies to their activities  [3]  . Thus, language is nothing else, but a boost for thinking and understanding. Jean Piaget Jean Piagets theory of child development is cognitive and is based on the system of stages of cognitive development of a child. Following this system we may recognize such stages as: Sensorimotor stage (0 -2 years). At this stage children investigate the environment around them with the help of their sense. They also start learning how to master the things around them. For example, they get to know that if to throw an object it will fall and make some kind of noise. During this stage children realize that even if the object is not near them it still doesnt stop existing. Preoperational stage (2 7 years). This stage is mainly characterized by childrens inability to see things from the different point of view, but their own one they are very ego-centric. At this stage children learn how to use language to describe objects in the world. Concrete operational stage (7-11). During this stage children can already think logically and predict the sequence of their actions. They also can classify objects into several categories. Formal operational stage (11+ years). At this stage children may think abstractly and can plan their actions through hypothesis. Moreover they are deeply concerned about the future. The key concept of the developmental theory of Jean Piaget is that nature is dominant over nurture.  [4]  Out of his system of stages of cognitive development of children we see that the first stage is sensorimotor one. At this stage the infants movements, physical and intellectual lack precision and his activities and attention are dominated by external stimulation  [5]  Piaget underlines that the initial instincts including the influence of sight, taste, touch, and hearing- of people are the most powerful and it is they which make their personalities on the whole. Jean Piaget believes that children are no less intellectual than adults, but they think differently. From the very moment of birth of each child he has to do a lot of things: to understand how people interact and how the whole world works, therefore we suppose that they are less mentally powerful. Indeed, children have more intricate brain abilities than adults, so if to take this suggestion as a starting point it is possible to overestimate our methods of teaching and educating. Arnold Gesell The maturational theory of Arnold Gesell, which is characterized by biological perspective, is based on the belief that every child has a specific plan or programme within his body as for his development. Gesell was convinced that heredity or nature has a primary influence on the development of a child. Gesell is known for establishing certain norms for children at every stage of their growth and developed the so-called gradients of growth. Among them we may find: motor characteristics, personal hygiene, fears, emotional expression, play, school life, ethics, and philosophic outlook  [6]  . Gesell believed that the development of the child through either education or play should be spontaneous. He suggested that through the course of evolution children inherited some kind of code which prescribed their actions and needs, so if a parent wants to help his child o find his life path the most effective way would be to let the child choose it himself. The key similarity in the developmental theories of Jean Piaget and Arnold Gesell lies in their belief in the dominance of nature over nurture  [7]  . Both theorists also developed original systems of measuring either the stages of child development or the indicators of their growth. Moreover it is needed to point out that all the three theories are promoting effective interaction of tutors and children in the process of their development although according to each of the theories their work is differently directed. Unlike Vygotskys thought that social learning should obviously precede the development Piaget considered that learning was less important thing in the child development the main influence instead he saw in nature. Also it is necessary to mention that Vygotsky paid much more attention to the socio-cultural factors in child development than other theorists  [8]  . Although the theories of Gesell and Piaget are alike in many aspects, the difference is that Piaget underlined the major influence of sensorimotor stage on child development while Gesell believed much in heredity, i.e. Piaget maintained that the child cannot enter the next stage until he fulfills the previous one, while Gesell was sure that child would be whom he ought to be due to the biological scheme within his body. Analyzing the theories of child development makes us ponder over importance of effective interaction of cognitive, physical and emotional interaction in the process of development of children. In the matter of fact unless all these aspects are properly accomplished the child has fewer chances to realize him or her in life as it is needed. Cognitive development refers to memory, concentration, attention and imagination  [9]  . It helps children to do well at school, dream, pretend what they will be in future, model different life situations, understand and use symbols, count and even write compositions. On the whole cognitive development is necessary for a child to solve their problems at every stage of their development. Proper physical development is responsible for childrens coordination, motor abilities and other physical skills. Emotional development helps children to possess such traits as self-regulation, self-sufficiency, self-concept and proper self-esteem  [10]  . If only the previous aspects of development are in proper level child has chances to make a positive and healthy self-image. The main point is that poor physical development may influence badly the level of attention or even memory of a child which would certainly lead to problems at school and thus to under-self-estimation. And vice versa: if a child is poorly developed emotionally he may be passive and ignorant which will lead to poor physical and cognitive development  [11]  . Therefore interaction of physical, emotional and cognitive development is of primary importance both for tutors and children. Evidently knowing the principles of forming of the childs personality is of great importance both for parents, teachers and psychologists. Unless we know the needs of the child or an adolescent at the particularly stage of his development we will hardly be able to help him. Knowing the key milestones of the development at childs age group it is possible to evaluate his or her physical, cognitive and emotional development and find the best way fro every concrete child to improve each aspect. It is far more important nowadays, when children have access to the media, computers and Internet and can themselves find all the answers(as it seems to them) to their questions, so they seldom ask their tutors how to solve their problems instead they make decisions by themselves, often no the most reasonable ones. In such situations it is particularly valuable to be aware of the peculiarities of development of children at this age and what problems most of them usually face. It goes without sayi ng that knowing norms of children and adolescents will help to find adequate advice to promote children to reach their potential in life. All the three theories of child development proved to be reasonable and useful. We found out that Lev Vygotskys theory was based primarily on socio-cultural factors of development. The theorist believed that learning preceded development and that made the main difference between his theory and the theory of Jean Piaget who was sure that the childs potential depended on the development of his senses and instincts first of all. Another prominent theorist Arnold Gesell was sure that nature dominated over nurture too and his key concept was that heredity was absolutely responsible for the development of particular child. Gesell and Piaget even developed their own systems of evaluating of either the stages of child development or the indicators of their growth. Although the theories differ in many aspects, every of them is directed on effective interaction between tutors and children and that is the key value of every of them. It is important to be able to realize the needs of children an d adolescents to help them in reaching their potential. In this process it is necessary to each a well-organized interaction between cognitive, physical and emotional development of children.

Brutus Cassius is the Hero in Shakespeares Julius Caesar :: essays research papers

Julius Caesar is a liberal play, for it has three heroes, Caesar, Anthony and Brutus, of whom Brutus is the most large souled and sympathetic.(Mary McCarthy’s Theatre Chronicles 1937-1962) The play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare focuses on two dimensions of Roman history. The first dimension focuses on Julius Caesar and his rise to dictatorship. The second dimension focuses on Julius Caesar’s assignation and the revenge that his taken to avenge his death. Most scholars and critics of the play have focused on Caesar or Brutus has the hero of the play. This is due to the fact that the events surrounding the play are centered on Caesar the great dictator, his assignation making him the hero. On the other hand the play could also be said to be centered on Brutus who is a character that is internal turmoil makes him the center of attraction torn between the love of a good friend and the love of Rome. Most persons however over look a very important character that one does not get to see his character and greatness until the last part of the play, this character is Anthony. Anthony could also be looked at has the plays hero. A hero can be defined has as a person admired for courage, nobility or a person who exploits especially in the case of a war. Caesar, Brutus and Anthony are heroes of the play Julius Caesar they are only, just given different moments to shine. Each character has a specific time in the play where they are highlighted and seen has a hero in some extent or form. In the book Shakespeare’s use of Learning by V.K. Whitaker what Shakespeare sources develop has fact he in his play develops a hypothesis. In righting the play Julius Caesar Shakespeare turned to many historical documents has his sources. However in the play out of attempt to make the characters not only great men and leaders of Rome but real people with weaknesses and strengths. He alters the recorded history and makes events and characters more enticing to the audience because they are characters, persons can relate to. This is why the image of large souled and sympathetic could be a characteristic derived form Brutus by writers such as Mary McCarty. Julius Caesar his held in very high esteems by Shakespeare. Brutus Cassius is the Hero in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar :: essays research papers Julius Caesar is a liberal play, for it has three heroes, Caesar, Anthony and Brutus, of whom Brutus is the most large souled and sympathetic.(Mary McCarthy’s Theatre Chronicles 1937-1962) The play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare focuses on two dimensions of Roman history. The first dimension focuses on Julius Caesar and his rise to dictatorship. The second dimension focuses on Julius Caesar’s assignation and the revenge that his taken to avenge his death. Most scholars and critics of the play have focused on Caesar or Brutus has the hero of the play. This is due to the fact that the events surrounding the play are centered on Caesar the great dictator, his assignation making him the hero. On the other hand the play could also be said to be centered on Brutus who is a character that is internal turmoil makes him the center of attraction torn between the love of a good friend and the love of Rome. Most persons however over look a very important character that one does not get to see his character and greatness until the last part of the play, this character is Anthony. Anthony could also be looked at has the plays hero. A hero can be defined has as a person admired for courage, nobility or a person who exploits especially in the case of a war. Caesar, Brutus and Anthony are heroes of the play Julius Caesar they are only, just given different moments to shine. Each character has a specific time in the play where they are highlighted and seen has a hero in some extent or form. In the book Shakespeare’s use of Learning by V.K. Whitaker what Shakespeare sources develop has fact he in his play develops a hypothesis. In righting the play Julius Caesar Shakespeare turned to many historical documents has his sources. However in the play out of attempt to make the characters not only great men and leaders of Rome but real people with weaknesses and strengths. He alters the recorded history and makes events and characters more enticing to the audience because they are characters, persons can relate to. This is why the image of large souled and sympathetic could be a characteristic derived form Brutus by writers such as Mary McCarty. Julius Caesar his held in very high esteems by Shakespeare.

The American Dream in The Great Gatsby :: The Great Gatsby

The American dream is sought after and imagined by everyone who comes to America. It is the main reason that people come to America; they come for freedom as well as to one day attain the idea of a perfect American dream. It theoretically symbolizes what you have accomplished in life and what you wish to one day have. In my personal opinion if any person wants come to America to live a life of happiness, be released of religious persecution and the freedom to say what you feel, then it can be accomplished. This is the first thing you get as soon as you become an American. That for me is considered a dream for the persecuted. Now beyond this lies desire, which is what society thrives from because it is what our economy is based off of. It is said that you only need food, shelter, and clothing. Dreaming is what America is all about; the beautiful houses, the wealth, the power to control things at your fingertips. Anything you can dream of you can obtain. Although, obtaining a wealthy d ream can be a life of hard work and poverty—depending on what you want— it will eventually pay off to finally accomplish what is desired. â€Å"My own house was an eye-sore, but it was a small eye-sore and it had been over look, so I had a view of the water, a partial view of my neighbor’s lawn and the consoling proximity of millionaires—all for eighty dollars a month.† (10) The Great Gatsby   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Essentially, the â€Å"dream† is in my view a state of mind in which you feel comfortable and content in. It is a reassurance that you have begun and finished what you set out to offer to yourself. I do not base my dream upon materialistic items such as a big house or cars or all the wealth I can imagine. Rather I want set out to fall in love, have a family and teach my children and support them. No matter at what cost this would be. I would really like to home school and teach them but I cannot deprive them of friends, fun, and experiences that I had and will have.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I want to support them in whatever they are interested in, whether it be science, art, engineering, anything that makes them as happy as I am with my dream. Finding a woman that I can put up with and her I will be one of the harder things to obtain.