Question

For Life stage: MIDDLE CHILDHOOD

After observing this child (7 YEARS OLD) for 5 minutes, analyze what you observed using life span development and psychological concepts and theories. Be sure to include name of theorists.

The observation of Madeline

10:00am The teacher began to state problems out loud requiring answers. She stated the problem 4*6. Madeline raised her hand to answer. Little girl B looked at her and Madeline put her hand down.

10:01am The teacher called on Madeline and asked if she wanted to answer the problem, Madeline stated she forgot the answer. The teacher switched to problems on the board.

10:02am Madeline sat at her desk while the students went up to the board one by one to complete math drills that were on the board. Upon it being Madeline’s turn she yelled out, “I don’t want to go, I’m stupid”. The teacher states to never say that about yourself and encouraged Madeline to go to the board.

10:03am Madeline shyly approached the board twiddling her thumb. The problem on the board read 7*8. Madeline paused for a minute then began hitting her head with her palm. The teacher told her to calm down and look at the problem and think about it.

10:04am Madeline shrugged and put 42 on the board. The children began to laugh. Madeline walked away from the board and asked approached the teacher’s desk where she wrote the answer 56 on a piece of paper then returned to her desk.

10:05am While sitting at the desk Madeline said to the girl sitting next to her “see I don’t know the answers either”. The girl answered back “good cause you wouldn’t be able to play with us if you did”. Madeline replied, “I don’t, I don’t know anything”

Answer 1

According to Erik Ericson, Madeline has just entered the stage of industry v/s inferiority. Here the virtue that develops is competence through school.

In the case it can be observed that the teacher saw that Madeline knows answers and therefore forced her to come infront and tell others, which might have lead to successful development of competence in her; an ability to feel that she has skills in which nobody else can beat her.

But, due to her peer group and as she wanted the validation of other roup memebers, which is majorly common in her age, she showed others that she doesn't know answers but gave the right answer to teacher in a slip. She might have certain problems in making friends with others in classroom and therefore she might not want to lose the only group she is part of.