Natalie Adams

Dr. Rochelle Hooks

EDU 220-1001

PEPSI Screening

6/23/2014

Biography

Observation was done on an 6 year old, caucasian boy who has just completed the first grade.
Aiden has lived in Las Vegas his entire life. He lives with his father full time as his mother
committed suicide two years ago. His father is a carpenter with no college education. Aiden was
born addicted to methadone and received the appropriate treatment from birth. The subject has
two sisters, one older sister from his mother and a second younger sister from his fathers ex-wife.
Aiden lives in a low income home yet receives all medical screening such as hearing tests, eye
check ups, dental. Aiden frequently sees his grandparents from his mothers side and is quite
attached to them. He receives adequate grades in school and is progressing at what the school
perceives to be a normal rate. Aiden is involved in team sports such as soccer, baseball and the
boy scouts. He lives in a single family home and attends elementary school nearby.

Observation takes place in two different environments 1.) A public park where approximately 15
children are playing during the early afternoon. 2.) In his home, where his father and both sisters
are present.

Physical Development-

At the age of 6 Aiden can run, jump, although has some difficulty riding a bike or a scooter. He
doesn't seem to have mastered the coordination needed to do so. (Successfully riding a twowheel bicycle requires reciprocal leg motion (for example, one side applies pressure to the pedal
while the other leg relaxes coupled with arm movements to maintain a desired direction all while
maintaining the balance necessary to avoid falling. John Mersch, MD, FAAP) Aiden is very
active and has a high energy level (Department of Social and Health Services) .He has mastered
tying his shoes, throwing a ball, catching a ball (John Mersch, MD, FAAP.)
Aiden climbs on the jungle gym, swings on the swings, not staying with any particular activity
long. He seems to go to activity to activity unless engaged with other children. His speech is
relatively good although he seems to stutter when unsure of himeself. In Piaget's stages of
cognitive development, the 6- to 8-year-old child has entered the "intuitive phase." Speech
patterns have matured, and long and complex sentences are to be expected. Occasional stuttering
or stammering may be noticed and should not be considered abnormal unless its existence
interferes with academic or social activities.

Emotional

Aiden is aware of others feelings and is careful not to say hurtful things to other children. Aiden
himself is sensitive and appears to be insecure and unsure of himself in social settings. He seeks
approval from his father and wants to please him. Aiden has the tendency to go off on his own
when he looses at a group game, not wanting to continue playing with the other children if he
cannot be successful (Department of Social and Health Services). When confronted by his father
Aiden gets nervous and starts to get upset before justifying or explaining his actions. Due to
Aidens background emotional distress would not be uncommon.

Socioemotional development in early childhood can be partly described in terms of Ericksons

initiative verses guilt stage. Peer relationships help children overcome the egocentrism that
Piaget described as characteristic of pre operational thinking. Prosocial behavior includes caring,
sharing, comforting and cooperating,

Philosophical Development

When playing in groups Aiden blames others and does not take responsibility for his own
actions. Both with his peers and with the adults. Aiden then seems to lie in order to avoid being
in trouble, with no regard for the truth. He was observed telling on others not taking
responsibility for his own actions (Department of Social and Health Services). When confronted
by his father Aiden will look down, avoid eye contact, stuttering and getting upset before
justifying his actions.(Turiel, 2006, has suggested that young children make a distinction
between moral rules such as not lying and stealing better based on principles of justice and social
conventional rules such as not wearing pajamas to school that are based on social conscious and
etiquette.) Studies suggest that stuttering is a common characteristic of this age (Department of
Social and Health Services).

Social Development

In correlation with Erickson's stages of personal and social development Aidens significant
relationships are his basic family, his father and sisters. (Erick H. Erickson, 1950). I observed

this at the park, with all of the children around Aiden would rather play with his sisters then with
the other children.
Aiden has yet to develop a strong sense of self esteem or self concept (Swann, Chang-Schnieder,
&McClarty,2007). He is unsure of himself and seeks the acceptance of his oldest sister of his
father.
Even when playing with his siblings Aiden does not want to be it in a game of tag or hide and
seak. When this occurred Aiden decided he no longer wanted to play and went off on his own.
This corresponds with the growth of independent action, cooperation with groups and
performing in socially acceptable ways with a concern for fair play (McHale et al.,2003)

Intellectual

Aiden receives adequate grades in school and is progressing at what the school perceives to be a
normal rate. Unlike middle-class families Aiden does not have a computer or educational games
(Yeung, Linver,and Brooks-Gunn 2002). He does have a great selection of books at his home,
however when home Aiden prefers to play games or with his sisters. Aiden can read, write, and

do basic math. In his home environment it seems that he is rewarded for behavior verses
independent studying (knapp & Wolverton, 1995; Trawick-Smith, 1997).
During the summer Aiden does not participate in any academic programs to prevent him from
falling behind over the summer (Allington & McGill-Frazen, 2003; Borman, Benson, &
Overman, 2005; Entwisle, Alexander, & Olson, 2001; Heyns, 2002).

Recommendations for Parents and Teachers

1.) In regards to the Physical development stage, Aiden would benefit from practicing his fine
motor skills, practicing skills such as riding his bike and or scooter.

2.) One successful strategy is to enforce a policy of loss of privilege/activity/computer-TV time

for all combatants (regardless of "who started it" or "who's at fault") unless the involved children

can successfully resolve the dilemma by themselves. While this may seem to be impossible at
home, teachers often point out peer resolution of problems being successfully handled on a daily
basis during school recess and lunch breaks. (John Mersch, MD, FAAP)

3.

4.

5.) Signing up Aiden for a summer program would be highly beneficial for him. It would help
him start the new school year without the need to review where he left off the previous year.

Presentation

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Reference Page

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/developmental-checklist-6-7-year-olds

http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Child_Guide_Six/

http://www.colehealth.com/media/docs/cpt/developcklist/develop_cklist_6yr_for_web.pdf

http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/fosterparents/training/cdevguid/cdg08.htm

http://www.pbs.org/parents/childdevelopmenttracker/six/socialandemotionalgrowth.html

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/learning-play/200912/the-rule-loving-six-year-old

http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/piaget.htmhttp://www.health68.com/youngchildren-child-development-healthy-kids_19-14590.html