Developmental-Theories-and-Other-Relevant-Theories-Bronfenbrenners-Ecological-Systems-Theory.pptx

Ecological Systems Theory

1. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory

2. Question! 🞇 How does the world around the child help or hinder development?

3. Ecological Systems Theory Development is the result of the relationships between people and their environments.

4. Implications 🞇 Cannot evaluate a child’s development only in the immediate environment. 🞇 Must also examine the interactions among the larger environments that a child develops in.

5. The F IVE layers 🞇 Microsystem: Relationships with direct contact to the child 🞇 Mesosystem: Connection between relationships of child’s microsystem 🞇 Exosystem: Structures in which the child does not have direct contact 🞇 Macrosystem: Cultural context 🞇 Chronosystem: Element of time as it relates to a child’s environment

6. Based on Bronfenbrenner, U. 1979. The Ecology of Human Development. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

7. Microsystem Variables that the child is directly exposed to 🞇 Relationships: Family, school, relig ious institution, neighbors Family: Most influential and durable influence on the child 🞇 Environment: Geographic, Material structures 🞇 Child’s body General health Brain functioning – physiological and psychological Emotions Cognitive System

8. 🞇 Most of the child’s behavior is learned in the microsystem 🞇 The microsystem consists of bi- directional influences Parents actively shape the development of the child Children actively shape their environment Personal attributes influence responses from other people Children actively select and avoid specific environments Bi- directional relationships are the foundation for a child’s cognitive and emotional growth

9. Mesosystem Interconnections between the microsystems 🞇 Interactions between the family and teachers 🞇 Relationship between the child’s peers and the family

10. Exosystem Institutions of society that indirectly affect a child’s development 🞇 Parent’s workplace 🞇 Funding for education These impact a child’s development by influencing structures in the microsystem

11. Macrosystem 🞇 Cultural context 🞇 Provides the values, beliefs, customs, and laws of the culture in which a child grows up 🞇 Influences how parents, teachers, and others raise a child 🞇 May be conscious or unconscious 🞇 Influences the societal values, legislation, and financial resources provided by a society to help families function 🞇 Influences the interactions of all other layers

12. Chrono system 🞇 It covers the element of time as it relates to a child’s environment 🞇 This involves “patterns of stability and change” in the child’s life. This involves whether the child’s day is characterized by an orderly predictable pattern, or whether the child is subjected to sudden changes in routine.

13. Properties of the layers 🞇 Each layer has an effect on a child’s development 🞇 Each layer is complex 🞇 Conflict within any layer ripples throughout other layers

14. Critique 🞇 Strengths Integrates multiple influences on child development 🞇 Weaknesses Does not provide detailed mechanisms for development

15. Implications for Education 🞇 Primary relationship must be intended t o last a lifetime Teachers need to work to support the primary child- adult relationship Schools should create an environment that welcomes and nurtures families Education should foster societal attitudes that value all work done on behalf of children