Social and Moral Development Case Study

1. The second paragraph lists a number of strategies that Ms. Knowles and Ms. Brophy have tried to teach social skills. Which one do you think might be most effective and why?
- I like that they are teaching the students how to ask if they can join in on what other students are playing and how to get involved with an activity. I have been working with a kindergarten class for a year and that is one thing that a lot of kids lack. They think that you are only allowed to play with one person at a time and most of that is because parents will only allow one friend to come over at a time. This will be a trait the students can strengthen and keep for future years to social grow.

2. The teachers occasionally use storybooks to promote discussions about social skills and making friends. How might children's literature also help them resolve one of Erikson's stages of psychosocial development?
- The books can teach the kids to take initiative and get involved with active friendships. Some of these friendship can last especially if the students go on to attend the same elementary school. Children's literature can help them use their imagination and become more active. It can also help them get over shame and realise that they are not alone with some of their qualities.


3. How might children's literature help them develop moral reasoning?
- There are many books on lying and steeling. These books teach the students right from wrong. When they are so little they don't notice that what they do can hurt someones feelings or physically hurt someone. That makes these books very effective. A boy in a class had to pull his card one day and told the teacher he didn't a few weeks later he and his mom came in the class and he said he pulled a "trick" on the teach and told us the story. We explained to him that what he did was not a trick, but a lie and let him know why it was wrong and the difference between the two. Students just need to be taught the difference.


4. The teachers read the children a letter they claim has been written by their friend Mr. Stone. What are potential cognitive, social, and moral advantages of this strategy? Incorporate ideas from Chapters 3 and 4 in your response.
- This is a way of assessing what the students have learned about social skills. It helps the teachers to see who is improving and who needs some social work. The students also feel like they are helping someone out and doing a good thing. I also like how they did circle time with Liam and had the students all talk about what they are working on and could tell Liam how they feel about his behavior. It lets him know they like him and he can just be nice when he wants to join in an activity.