This is my final project which is cumalative of my previous discussion board responses. However I have to expand and use transitions where needed with the work I already submitted. I cannot cut copy a
Running head
Final Project
CNDV 5301_L01
Name
College
DB #2: Developmental Stages
Preoperational Stage
The most important developmental stage for me would be Piaget’s cognitive developmental theory. The second stage of development preoperational stage stood out to maybe because I have four grandkids in this stage and it was interesting for me to study about their development. However in the preoperational stage (2-6 or 7) Piaget states that early representational thought tends to be slow, there thoughts are centered and focused on one piece of information or aspect of an event at a time, and lastly their thinking is not logical. (Brodrick & Blewitt, 2020)
During the preoperational stage children see things symbolically and are not yet able to operate cognitively. For example, during this stage a child’s development is based on their experiences of their world through adaptation. (Simply Psychology, n.d.) Piaget suggests that children interpret information and experiences “as is” and to fit their way of understanding making adjustments as they see fit. During this stage children build knowledge through existing and new information. (Brodrick & Blewitt, 2020)
Bonding and Security
The relationship a parent has with their child in the sensorimotor stage is very important to the child’s development moving into the preoperational stage. It will impact the child’s future mental, emotional, social and physical health. In fact this is the main factor that determines how your child will do in his/her preschool years and later in life. A bond is wordless communication that a parent has with their child. Security is when a child feels safe and secure in their environments, understood, and calm enough to go through the developmental changes. However you can provide all attention, coddling, nourishing, safe secure environment and still not have a loving bond with your child. A child needs more than that they need that wordless communication with the parent in other words a non-verbal emotional exchange. (HelpGuide, n.d.)
Nervous System
This brings me to my next point the nervous system development, as I mentioned above that non-verbal emotional exchange children need more than love and caregiving in order for their brains and nervous stem to be able to fully develop in the best possible way. If they don’t have this they may feel confused, misunderstood, and insecure no matter how much they are cared for.
Wellness in Adults
Things that can be done to enhance wellness in adults at this stage are that as parents knowing that their responsiveness can enhance a child’s social and cognitive development. Parents can have the ability to not be concerned if their two year old is not playing well with others or has not learned their ABC’s because using Piaget’s theory they don’t have to rush development rather look at development in stages and independent from other children. For example, if you’re two year old has not learned how to play well with others yet it may be because of egocentrism, which is the child’s self-preoccupation and personal view (I want to play alone or only with my sibling) that does not accept another’s view (parents thinking they should be social with kids their age like in daycare) (Brodrick & Blewitt, 2020)
DB #2
I start out by saying that I’m currently raising a middle childhood who is 8 years old. My grandson Omari is smart, responsible and a tender heart. He has grown up so fast and therefore it is not uncommon for me to see him as growing up overnight. As I read this week’s reading I come to realize that just because Omari displays responsibility in certain areas doesn’t mean he’s grown-up and in fact according to this reading they face a new set of developmental challenges. Such as spending longer periods away from home, spending longer hours alone, acquire formal and complicated academic competencies and adjusting to rigorous schedules (Broderick & Blewitt, 2020). Omari has 7 other siblings and he is a loner to say the least and we have him on a constant steady schedule at home such as going to school, coming home doing his homework, and then getting ready for supper. He then takes the rest of his time to play in his room until bath and bed.
Between the time when children enter school and when they reach adolescent years their families are the most influential. The middle childhood stage there is outside influences that influence the child, such as coaches, teachers, and their peers and this is because they have more contact with the child than the family. (National Research Council, 1984) Mentors and/or role models come in many forms such as the ones listed above. They help guide the lives of others while having a long lasting impact on the adolescent. It is very important for adolescents to have positive role models/mentors in their life because it fosters positive change and helps to shape their future. Role modeling and mentoring is just as important inside the home as well as outside the home. My grandmother used to tell me “it takes a village to raise a child” and this is true on so many levels
DB #3
I found this stage to be the most important stage of development because our physical, social/cultural, environment, occupational, spiritual, intellectual and emotional development continues throughout our lives and because I’m currently in this stage of development and it was interesting to learn about the developmental stage that I’m currently in and could relate to a lot of the information that was provided. Also in reading in the chapter I found it interesting that there is just not a lot of research that goes towards this age group and that was surprising to me.
Middle adulthood is that time in life between ages 40-65 years of age. During this stage of development the physical signs of aging are starting to emerge for example grey hair, loss of hair, wrinkles, and age spots. This is also known as I’ve commonly heard it called “midlife crisis” for example going out at 55 years of age and purchasing a motorcycle and learning how to ride or dying your hair green.
Attachment theory has provided all kinds of understanding for adults with respect to adult individual behaviors such as how they respond to loss, stress and religion (Broderick & Blewitt, 2020). Adult attachment theory has been utilized for conflict resolutions, family dysfunction and therapeutic interventions. Adult attachment theory seeks to examine the primary caregiver during infancy in the adulthood stage, which is known as “nuclear family tradition” (Broderick & Blewitt, 2020).
In therapy or counseling the goal would be to get the client to see and/or determine rather or not the attachment to their primary caregiver is a reflection of their own caregiving to their family and how might that affect the quality of their caregiving “pass it on” concept (Broderick & Blewitt, 2020). The difference with this stage is that the attachment is more with their peers. An early attachment affects the romantic and friendship relationships in adults.
To work towards wellness or continued wellness in this stage living a healthier or healthy lifestyle and free from stress is the goal. For instance eating healthier foods from all the food groups, diet and exercise, hobbies, productive at work, and figuring out how to live their best second half of life.
DB #5
Late adulthood is starts around age 65 and older. According to Erickson he suggests that during this stage it is more important to find and develop meaning and satisfaction in life verses being bitter and disillusioned or resolving the conflict of integrity vs. despair (Broderick & Blewitt). We as a society expect during this age for individuals to be happy and engaged in a lot of activities and just enjoying life and freedom from work (retirement), responsibilities (children), and everyday worries of society and family.
This is not always the case though because you have older adults having to raise their grandchildren and or take care of an adult child. There are two common debilitating factors that effect this stage of development and that is increased sensory deficits such as vision being impaired and their reaction time has decreased and the second being arthritis which is stiffness and swelling around the joints which can be painful and debilitating at the same time (Broderick & Blewitt, 2020).
My mother is 69 years old and honestly in my opinion she gets around sometimes better than I do, however over the course of her developmental changes I have witnessed not only physical changes, but emotional changes as well. I have witnessed my mother struggling with diabetes and now she has it managed pretty well, but she had to make some lifestyle changes such as changing her diet and exercise and that is something my mother never did. I have witnessed the emotional change in her as well. She is not as stressed and worried like I used to see her do all the time. Today she just prays about every situation and understands her limits and boundaries with others.
One important concept for me at this stage is that they withdrawal from societal norms and desires as it relieves them and allows the younger generation to fill in the voids where needed. This is known as the disengagement theory and it allows our elders to focus on living their best and rest of their lives (Cliff Notes, 2016).
In the stage of development activity is essential to the quality of life and being active physically, mentally, and socially helps them to adjust to the aging process and they should remain active as long as they can with no regrets (Cliff Notes, 2016).
References:
Broderick, P. C., & Blewitt, P. (2020). The life span: human development for helping
professionals (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Pearson.
Mcleod, S. (n.d.). The Preoperational Stage of Cognitive Development. Retrieved from
https://www.simplypsychology.org/preoperational.html.
What is Secure Attachment and Bonding? (n.d.). HelpGuide. Retrieved from
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/parenting-family/what-is-secure-attachment-and-
bonding.htm
National Research Council (US) Panel to Review the Status of Basic Research on School-Age
Children; Collins WA, editor. Development During Middle Childhood: The Years From Six
to Twelve. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1984. Chapter 5, Middle
Childhood In The Context Of The Family. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK216771/
Development in Late Adulthood (2016). Cliff Notes. Retrieved from
https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/psychology/psychology/developmental-
psychology-age-13-to-65/development-in-late-adulthood