Lincoln Elementary School

Parent Presentation

Tamara Lake
ECE 497

Early Childhood Development

During early childhood, children are still physically getting larger, but the growth rate has significantly slowed
from what it was during infancy and earlier years. At this time, children are typically slimmer as a result of
losing body fat as they age. Children during early childhood can run up to 12 feet per second, throw and catch
with ease, and ride a bicycle with training wheels (Berk, 2013).
As for language development, a child coins words to fill in for words not yet mastered (Berk, 2013). During this
time, a child also improves her ability to pronounce words and masters additional conversational strategies...
(Berk, 2013).
Cognitively, a child during this period has improved memory skills and memories are more elaborate and
organized. At this time, her attention span will also improve and she will be able to focus on tasks and topics
longer than ever before (Berk, 2013).
During this time, a child could exhibit behavior that indicates atypical development. Any behavior that is
strikingly different from what peers tend to do could be a cause for concern. If a child is consistently clumsy
when moving, has trouble walking, or cannot run, she may need further evaluation. It is important to note that
not all things that occur atypically are a developmental delay, but it will not hurt to look further into them.
Your child's peers will become increasingly important as he gets older, and will impact tremendously who he
becomes as an adult. Kids who are rejected or ridiculed by the other neighborhood kids can develop an
inferiority complex that plagues them throughout life. Kids who find themselves a specific role -- the class
clown, or the brain -- often turn it into a lifelong way of being. Make sure your child has plenty of opportunities
to be with other kids and to learn how to function well in groups. While you don't want to compromise your
family's values -- you may not watch TV in your family, or follow pop culture, or let your nine year old daughter
dress like a pop star -- notice when the peer group makes your child feel different, and make adjustments as
necessary so that she can fit in (Markham, 2015).

Middle Childhood Development

During this period of time, a child will increase her running speed to at least 18 feet per second. A child
does most of what she could previously do in early childhood, but with better accuracy and ability.
Sometimes during middle childhood, children will begin a growth spurt, but most of the time this waits until
later (Berk, 2013).
Language development during middle childhood is about refining structures and using context clues to
determine definitions of unknown or unfamiliar words. A child at this age can also speak clearly in
demanding situations, such as on the telephone (Berk, 2013).
Nine-year-olds also have longer attention spans. They will be able to focus on something for as much as an
hour or more. At this age, children will develop interests and cultivate them with passion, and will love doing
research to find out all about their favorite topic. Whether its reading suspenseful books, playing baseball,
or finding out all they can about the world of Star Wars, your child will pursue his interests with admirable
diligence and focus. At school, 9-year-old children will generally work well in groups and will cooperate to
work on a project or activity. They will want to work on a subject, topic, or particular part of the curriculum
until they become skilled and master it. Parents can offer support and guidance by encouraging
kids to keep going when they become frustrated (Lee, 2015). A child at this time can typically add and
subtract fractions and organize data (Lee, 2015).
A few indicators of atypical development are Excessive concerns about competition and performance...
extreme rebellion; teasing; whining; headaches; nervous stomach; ulcers; nervous tics; social isolation; lack
of friends and involvements; few interests; bedwetting; fire-setting ("Child Development Guide: 9-10 Years
| Education.com," n.d.)
Something families can do with their children to encourage proper development is take them to the library
so they can find items they may be interested in to expand their learning (Lee, 2015).

Role as Child Development

Professional
In my role as a child
development professional, I
work with children, families,
and the communities of those
in order to ensure proper
development for all students. I
make every attempt to go
above and beyond to guarantee
fair treatment for all as well
as appropriate care. It is
essential to work with all
parties involved with students
to make the most of their
developmental potential.

Rationale for Presentation

The purpose of this presentation is to explain how to
create, grow, and develop partnerships with families
as well as the community and to show how they
influence the learning and development of children.
Family-neighborhood connections are especially
important for economically disadvantaged children
In low-income neighborhoods, in-school and afterschool programs that substitute for lack of other
resources by providing child care and art, music,
sports, scouting, and other enrichment activities are
associated with improved school performance and a
reduction in emotional and behavior problems in
middle childhood (Berk, 2013).

Mesosystem

from Bronfenbrenners Ecological System

The mesosystem is the second level in Bronfenbrenners ecological model.
It combines the smaller microsystems of school, home, daycare, and
neighborhood and shows connections and interrelations between them. For
example, a childs academic progress depends not just on activities that
take place in classrooms but also on parent involvement in school life and
on the extent to which academic learning is carried over into the home
(Berk, 2013).
Actions in all microsystems are dependent upon the others and
relationships are similar depending on how they are in each microsystem.
Family-neighborhood connections are especially important for
economically disadvantaged childrenIn low-income neighborhoods, inschool and after-school programs that substitute for lack of other
resources by providing child care and art, music, sports, scouting, and
other enrichment activities are associated with improved school
performance and a reduction in emotional and behavior problems in middle
childhood (Berk, 2013).

Mesosystem Visual

Epsteins Types of Involvement

The framework of six types of involvement helps educators develop
more comprehensive programs of school-family-community partnerships.
Each type of involvement includes many different practices of
partnership. Each type has particular challenges that must be met in
order to involve all families, and each type requires redefinitions of some
basic principles of involvement. Finally, each type leads to different
results for students, families, and teachers.
Although all schools may use the framework of six types of involvement
as a guide, each school must choose practices that will help achieve
important goals and meet the needs of its students and families
(Epsteins six types of involvement, n.d.).
The six types of involvement are parenting, communicating, volunteering,
learning at home, decision making, and collaborating with the community.

Type #1~ Parenting

How This Influences a Childs Learning and Development

Improve attendance at school
Child acknowledges school is important
Balances time better between things like homework, chores, and fun
Parental respect
Family teaches positive qualities

Beliefs, values, habits, etc.

Idea to Implement Aligned with Culture

The school could begin morning journaling that includes discussing home
responsibilities like chores, etc. and feelings related to such things.

Type #2~ Communicating

How This Influences a Childs Learning and Development

Can make decisions about programs and courses in the future
Can have a better understanding of policies in school

Attendance, behavior, student conduct, etc

Can keep up with ones own progress

Can determine what needs to be done to improve/maintain grades
Can have an active role in friendships/partnerships

Idea to Implement Aligned with Culture

Something to implement at school would be to allow students the
opportunity to help in making classroom rules. The teachers would have a
few basic rules in place and allow the students to come up with the next
couple. This will ensure the children comprehend the rule and know what is
expected of them.

Type #3~ Volunteering

How This Influences a Childs Learning and Development
Can become adept at speaking with and holding conversations with
adults
increased learning of skills that receive tutoring or targeted
attention from volunteers (Epstein, n.d.).
awareness of many skills talents, occupations, and contributions
of parent and other volunteers (Epstein, n.d.).
Idea to Implement Aligned with Culture
Students can be encouraged to volunteer at soup kitchens and the
sort in the area as well as plant gardens, etc. around neighborhoods.

Type #4~ Learning at Home

How This Influences a Childs Learning and Development
Gains in skills, abilities, and test scores linked to homework and
classwork.
Homework completion.
Positive attitude toward schoolwork.
View of parents as more similar to teacher and of home as more
similar to school.
Self-concept of ability as learner (Epstein, n.d.).
Idea to Implement Aligned with Culture
Parents should be encouraged to keep track of student progress. If
parents keep trtack and hold students accountable, they will surely do
better in school.

Type #5~ Decision Making

How This Influences a Childs Learning and Development
Awareness of representation of families in school decisions.
Understanding that student rights are protected.
Specific benefits linked to policies enacted by parent organizations
and experienced by students (Epstein, n.d.).

Type #6~ Collaborating with

the Community
How This Influences a Childs Learning and Development
Increased skills and talents through enriched curricular and
extracurricular experiences.
Awareness of careers and of options for future education
and work.
Specific benefits linked to programs, services, resources,
and opportunities that connect students with community
(Epstein, n.d.).
Idea to Implement Aligned with Culture
As students age, it would be beneficial to hold job fairs and
things of the like to show students what is available for them in
the community. It will benefit children in the long run to get
them to start thinking about their future sooner rather than
later.

References
Berk, L. E. (2013).Child development.(9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Child Development Guide: 9-10 Years | Education.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Child_Center_Nine/
Epstein, J. (n.d.). Epstein's framework of six types of involvement. Retrieved from
http://www.unicef.org/lac/Joyce_L._Epstein_s_Framework_of_Six_Types_of_Invo
lvement(2).
pdf
Epsteins six types of involvement. (n.d.). Retrieved from
www.csos.jhu.edu/p2000/sixtypes.htm
Lee, K. (2015). 9-Year-Old Child Cognitive Development. Retrieved from
http://childparenting.about.com/od/schoollearning/a/Your-9-Year-Old-ChildCognitive- Development.htm
Markham, L. (2015). Gameplan for Parenting Your Elementary Schooler. Retrieved
from http://www.ahaparenting.com/Ages-stages/school-age/your-gameplan