Chapter 2: Letter 1

Firstly, I appreciate your openness in sharing your concerns about your children. It's not
uncommon for children of these ages to navigate various life changes, and it's crucial to grasp
and acquire effective ways of addressing them. Erikson, in acknowledging the inevitability of
life's challenges, formulated the theory of developmental crises. He articulated eight
developmental stages, each marked by a distinct challenge or crisis, providing valuable
insights into the intricacies of personal growth and development. (Berger, 2021, p.37).
For example, your older daughter has reached the age where she is worried about the
type of companionship or love she wants in her life, or her fear of being rejected by them that
causes her worry. I believe she is at the stage Erikson refers to as Intimacy vs. Isolation
(Berger, 2021, p.35). My advice would be to share with her your experiences as a woman
who has gone through similar experiences that she now faces. For your teenage son, he would
be worried about his look, who he wants to be, and what he wants to accomplish in his life
that which may leave him feeling lost and confused about who is. He is most likely to be at
the stage of Identity vs. Role Confusion (Berger, 2021, p.37). We often say boys will be boys,
however, it important for him to have a role model or even open discussion with him so he
can come to you with concerns he may have. Because he is at the stage where he is curious
about different things in life as well as loss as to how the change he going though at his age
and with his body.
Finally, your toddler is at stages of Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt, (Berger, 2021,
p.35). Toddlers need to feel safe or trust the person who takes care of them. This included
their basic need for care, nourishment, and warmth. However, your toddler shows signs of
what Erikson describes as shame or doubts their own abilities (Berger, 2021, p.35). Don’t
lose hope or be patient with your toddler because at this stage there are very curious about
this around them like how to walk, talk, and do other activities they see others doing. Show
her how it is done and she will become curious to do it as well. My last advice is to remember
to be supportive of your children, listen to them, and teach them can help them to overcome
these challenges

Best Regards, Richard Obeng

Chapter 2: Letter 2
I understand your concern about both theories and I hope to help you understand both
approaches better in your choice of preschool for your daughter. Piagetian and Vygotskian
approaches to preschool are rooted in the developmental theories proposed by Jean Piaget
and Lev Vygotsky, respectively. Piaget’s theory revolves around the stages of cognitive
development, suggesting that children move through four stages of development that
influence how they understand the world (Piaget, 1952). A Piagetian program would likely
focus on activities that facilitate learning through direct interaction with the environment at a
pace tailored to each developmental stage. On the other hand, Vygotskian theory emphasizes
the role of social interaction in learning and the concept of the Zone of Proximal
Development (ZPD), which is the difference between what children can do with assistance
and what they can do alone (Vygotsky, 1978). A Vygotskian preschool program would
therefore provide ample opportunity for guided interaction with teachers and peers to scaffold
learning within the ZPD. Both approaches have their own merits, and the choice would
depend on which educational philosophy resonates more with you and seems like a good fit
for your daughter's learning style.

Regards, Richard

References:

Berger, K. S. (2021). Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence (12th Edition).
Macmillan Higher Education. https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9781319352516

Piaget, J., & Cook, M. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children (Vol. 8, No. 5, pp. 18-
1952). New York: International Universities Press.

Vygotsky, L. S., & Cole, M. (1978). Mind in society: Development of higher psychological
processes. Harvard university press.