1. Based on the evidence from age 6 and 8 years, how well is your child adapting to the school social environment and to the peer group? To what extent does this adaptation seem to depend on personality characteristics that are fairly stable in your child, and to what extent does your child seem to be developing novel behavior to cope with these new situations?
When Liam began the first grade he seemed a bit hesitant and shy while interacting with other children within his class. However, once he became acquainted with a group of most boys, he became somewhat of a quiet leader for the group! The boys seem to be at the age in which they do not like to associate with girls. So, the majority of Liam’s friends are boys, however Liam is able to play with both in a positive manner. This may be because he interacts with his sister at home, so playing with girls is not a new adventure. I feel that Liam is able to interact with a variety of diverse children because he is a very cooperative child, especially at home. He may be looked upon as the quiet leader because he is not as independent as other children his age seem to be. As Liam turns 8, his friends begin to be more interested in roughhousing, roaming the neighborhood and riding bikes. However, this does not influence Liam’s behavior in a negative manner, thank goodness. He continues to display his quiet tendencies while in the classroom and outside of the classroom. Also, he is not afraid to influence his classmates to make appropriate decisions while in the classroom. I feel that Liam’s consistent behavior over the past two years is due to the consistent encouragement we illustrate to Liam when he follows directions and interacts with his sister in appropriate manners. He seems to be a role model among his classmates; he is making friends with ease and continues to do well at home.
2. How well is your child adapting to social situations in the home and outside the home? Does your child have any behavior or emotional problems that have become apparent between 6 and 10 years of age? Why do you think these problems are occurring and what are you doing about them?
When Liam was 6 years of age he began to cheat during games that we would play together. I realize that his morality is still not developed at this age, however when I catch him in the act he becomes upset and refuses to continue to game. As Liam turned 8, he cheating decreased while his sense of lying increased. These lies are small which may include blaming his sister for messes that he caused as well as lying about things that had happened as school. I illustrate to Liam the importance of telling the truth and inform him of how it can hurt others when he lies. At the beginning of Liam’s 5th grade year he had a major fight with his best friend that is still continuing. He has been exceptionally moody and often begins arguments with his sister. These arguments will sometimes lead into physical fighting. At home, Liam seems to be sad and clings to me or my partner more and more, he also wishes to follow rules directly. He continues to be the teacher’s pet however he is starting to struggle with paying attention in class. Unfortunately, I think the underlying cause to all of these problems is the current separation that Liam’s father and I are currently in. Liam wishes to please both of us, and he is aware of when an argument occurs. I feel that this is making him an even more shy boy, nervous and let independent. In order to ensure that Liam continues to develop as normally as possible I make sure to minimize the arguing with my partner in whole, I do not allow Liam to see me upset after I have spoken with his father and I make sure to always speak positively about him to Liam. I also allow Liam to visit his father. I continually speak with my partner about the progress of Liam in order for us to both be on the same page about our son and his well-being. We are doing our very best to insure that Liam continue to be successful in school and in his development in general.
When Liam began the first grade he seemed a bit hesitant and shy while interacting with other children within his class. However, once he became acquainted with a group of most boys, he became somewhat of a quiet leader for the group! The boys seem to be at the age in which they do not like to associate with girls. So, the majority of Liam’s friends are boys, however Liam is able to play with both in a positive manner. This may be because he interacts with his sister at home, so playing with girls is not a new adventure. I feel that Liam is able to interact with a variety of diverse children because he is a very cooperative child, especially at home. He may be looked upon as the quiet leader because he is not as independent as other children his age seem to be. As Liam turns 8, his friends begin to be more interested in roughhousing, roaming the neighborhood and riding bikes. However, this does not influence Liam’s behavior in a negative manner, thank goodness. He continues to display his quiet tendencies while in the classroom and outside of the classroom. Also, he is not afraid to influence his classmates to make appropriate decisions while in the classroom. I feel that Liam’s consistent behavior over the past two years is due to the consistent encouragement we illustrate to Liam when he follows directions and interacts with his sister in appropriate manners. He seems to be a role model among his classmates; he is making friends with ease and continues to do well at home.
2. How well is your child adapting to social situations in the home and outside the home? Does your child have any behavior or emotional problems that have become apparent between 6 and 10 years of age? Why do you think these problems are occurring and what are you doing about them?
When Liam was 6 years of age he began to cheat during games that we would play together. I realize that his morality is still not developed at this age, however when I catch him in the act he becomes upset and refuses to continue to game. As Liam turned 8, he cheating decreased while his sense of lying increased. These lies are small which may include blaming his sister for messes that he caused as well as lying about things that had happened as school. I illustrate to Liam the importance of telling the truth and inform him of how it can hurt others when he lies. At the beginning of Liam’s 5th grade year he had a major fight with his best friend that is still continuing. He has been exceptionally moody and often begins arguments with his sister. These arguments will sometimes lead into physical fighting. At home, Liam seems to be sad and clings to me or my partner more and more, he also wishes to follow rules directly. He continues to be the teacher’s pet however he is starting to struggle with paying attention in class. Unfortunately, I think the underlying cause to all of these problems is the current separation that Liam’s father and I are currently in. Liam wishes to please both of us, and he is aware of when an argument occurs. I feel that this is making him an even more shy boy, nervous and let independent. In order to ensure that Liam continues to develop as normally as possible I make sure to minimize the arguing with my partner in whole, I do not allow Liam to see me upset after I have spoken with his father and I make sure to always speak positively about him to Liam. I also allow Liam to visit his father. I continually speak with my partner about the progress of Liam in order for us to both be on the same page about our son and his well-being. We are doing our very best to insure that Liam continue to be successful in school and in his development in general.