Activity 1-2:
We Are What
We Experience

Purpose: In this activity, participants will review the ecological model of child development (based on the work of Urie Bronfenbrenner) and use it to understand how families, communities, and cultural beliefs and practices influence children's growth and development.

Outcomes:
Participants identify factors that influence each child's development.

Participants observe how Head Start experiences encourage children's growth and development.

Materials:
Chart paper, markers, tape
Handout 1; The Child Development Universe

1. Explain to participants that this activity will focus on how family, community, and culture influenced their own development and how these factors affect the development of children in Head Start.

2. Ask participants to write a brief autobiographical sketch of an event from their childhood that highlights the support that the family and community provided.

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Coach Preparation Notes:You might want to complete this exercise, too. You can write your sketch before meeting with participants, and then use it as an example. Your involvement will provide another example of how the environment in which a child is raised affects development.

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3. Provide a brief overview of Bronfenbrenner's ecological model of child development, using the Background Information at the beginning of this module and Handout 1: The Child Development Universe.

4. Have participants share their autobiographical sketches and identify the ecological factors that influenced their own development. Share your own sketch, too. Discuss the similarities and differences between or among their homes, communities, and cultural environments, and the subsequent effects of these factors on their development.

5. Share with participants the following example, which describes some influences on a child's development and strategies implemented at the center and at home to support the child.

Child: Nadine, age four-and-a-half, is the youngest of five children. Her family lived on the reservation until six months ago when they moved to the city.

Strategy at the center: We can ask Nadine's parents to help us make sure that our environment includes books, pictures, and other items that value and reflect tribal life. We can invite family members to share songs, stories, and foods to support Nadine and to expose the other children to some of the diversity of another culture.

Strategy at home: Nadine's parents can talk to her about what life was like in their home on the reservation, and what it is like now. They might draw pictures of their former and current homes; friends and relatives on the reservation and in the city; new and old outdoor environments. They can ask her questions such as:

How is our life in the city different from when we lived on the reservation?
How is our life the same as it was when we lived on the reservation?
How can we keep in touch with our family and friends on the reservation?.

6. Ask participants to use the ecological model to get to know a child and family with whom they work. If appropriate, suggest that they focus on a child with disabilities. Next, participants should think of some strategies for staff to use at the center or in a group socialization session. They should also think about some to recommend to parents that encourage growth and development by responding to the child's unique characteristics. Have participants implement the strategies, involving parents as much as possible, and make notes on what happens.

7. Meet with participants to discuss what they learned about the child and family, the strategies devised, and what happened when they were implemented. Cover the following key points in your discussion:

• Parents and other family members are the primary influences in children's lives. Head Start staff work in partnership with families to support children's development.
  
• Head Start delivers its comprehensive services by developing strong linkages with resources in the community.
  
• Each community has its own goals for children. Head Start should consider these goals when planning its child development approach.
  
• Head Start's individualized approach responds to each child's immediate environment, relationships or connections, indirect influences, and culture.

Encourage participants to use The Child Development Universe to get to know all the children and families with whom they work.

Activity 1-3 | Module 1 | Index