|
|
ABC
of Ohio
Presents
ABROAD
& BACK

Module #1 - 3.5 hours
Pages 1, 3, 4, & 5
THE IMPACT OF
ORPHANAGE CONDITIONS
ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT
GOALS
- Participants
will gain a basic understanding of the process of child development.
- Participants
will gain a basic understanding as to the potential developmental delays
resultant from institutionalization.
- Participants
will recognize the importance of quality care giving to a child's development.
- Participants
will recognize the need for early detection and early intervention.
- Participants
will be informed of additional resources which enhance learning of this
Module's topic.
- Participants
will understand that in addition to those topics covered in depth
in this curriculum, children adopted internationally may present with
other types of impairments to social-emotional functioning. Most common
are Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), Sensory Integration
Disorder (SI), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effect (FAS/FAE). The Suggested Parent Handouts
for this module provide information as to these issues.

Module
#1 - 3.5 hours
Pages 1, 3, 4, & 5
To
The Facilitator
The
following pages provide the content needed to successfully deliver
this module. The content follows the outline provided on the
previous page of this workbook.Prior to the start of the session
the facilitator should complete the Set-Up instructions for the
Orphanage Life exercise (see pages Module #1, 7-8). And, the
facilitator may want to review the Facilitator Notes provided for
this module to insure that all supplies, A/V equipment, registration
forms, handouts, overhead transparencies or Power Point CD, room
enhancements and display items are organized and available throughout
the session.Additionally, familiarize yourself with the parent handouts.
Refer to them throughout the lecture.This assists participants in
recognizing the need for on-going training beyond this program,
and the handouts link participants to various resources helpful
to facilitate the pre-adoption process and timely post-adoption
accessing of such resources.This module concludes with a suggested
home activity. If the facilitator determines to utilize this
assignment, directions and supplies need to be distributed prior
to the conclusion of this session.
The
first segment, The Qualities of "Normal" Child Development,
is designed to be delivered in a lecture format. Overhead templates/Power
Point CD are provided to accompany this lecture portion. In addition,
there is also the option to make the lecture interactive. Four charts
which provide an overview of some of the developmental milestones
or tasks of children ages 0-12 months, 12-18 months, 18-30 months,
and 30-36-months are provided (see pages Module #1, 20-23). These
age groups were selected as many families pursuing international
adoption adopt children of these age groups. Participants could
be asked to look for the qualities of normal child development within
these charts. For example, questions such as, "Are you able
to locate the concept of "directional"? "If so, how
is it exemplified?" may be posed. Such interaction reinforces
the transfer of learning. Another way to accomplish transfer of
learning is for the facilitator to utilize relevant anecdotes from
the facilitator's personal experience with adoptive families.
The
Qualities of "Normal" Child Development
The application of the term "normal" to child development
simply means that when grouped according to various ages (i.e., 6-months,
12-months, 18-months, etc.), children complete similar milestones
or tasks at similar ages. For example, between 12-18 months, the majority
of toddlers begin to exhibit rudimentary cause and effect thinking
- If I hit water, it splashes. Hence, there is an expectation that,
if on track developmentally, parents would expect their 12-18-month-old
to begin to demonstrate cause and effect abilities. Normal guidelines
have been established for all of the developmental domains as will
be described below.
Such guidelines are useful to assess areas in which children may be
experiencing "delays" or development that is "not within
normal limits". That is, the development is not keeping pace
with what is expected for a child of a particular age. Delay or not
within normal limits is utilized as these terms suggest there is potential
to minimize the delay or overcome the delay to a more complete extent.
An analogy that many find useful for child development may be that
of comparing development to building and maintaining a home. We wouldn't
consider building a house without starting with the foundation. It
is the foundation which gives the house its stability. Once the foundation
is complete, we add walls, a roof, and room divisions. Decorations
and furniture give the house a sense of uniqueness and warmth. Over
time, we may add on - expanding landscaping, increasing space, adding
a swing set, etc. We utilize repair services when necessary to keep
our home running smoothly and to reduce the impact of environmental
effects. In essence, we nurture our home to keep it sound and give
it a character. Similarly, to develop into a healthy productive member
of society requires a good foundation. Subsequently, through nurturing
caregivers and role-models, we learn to speak, walk, run, etc. We
develop a repertoire of skills, abilities and talents. We develop
our likes and dislikes. We learn right from wrong. We learn to reciprocate.
We grow and thrive, develop our own personality, and contribute to
society.
Development occurs along four domains, and it possesses various qualities.
These are described below.
The
Four Developmental Domains
PHYSICAL
Consists of the development of the body structure, including muscles,
bones, and organ systems. Physical development includes both sensory
development, using the senses to take in information, and motor
development, which refers to the actions of the muscles. Gross motor
activities such as standing, sitting, walking and turning involve
the large muscles of the body. Fine motor activities, including
speech, vision, and the use of hands and fingers, involve the small
muscles of the body.
COGNITIVE
Cognitive is also referred to as "intellectual" or "mental"
development. Cognitive activities include thinking, perception,
memory, reasoning, concept development, problem-solving ability,
and abstract thinking. Language, with its requirements of symbolism
and memory is one of the most important and complicated cognitive
activities.
EMOTIONAL
Includes the development of personal traits and characteristics,
including a personal identity, self-esteem, the ability to enter
into reciprocal ; emotional relationships, and mood and affect (feelings
and emotions) that are appropriate for one's age and for the situation.
SOCIAL
Includes the child's interactions with other people, and the child's
development in social groups. The earliest social task is attachment.
The development of relationships with adults and peers, the assumption
of social roles, the adoption of group values and norms, adoption
of a moral system, and eventually assuming a productive role in
society are all social tasks.
Development
Is
ONGOING
The predominant perspective in development is Lifespan. That is,
development occurs lifelong, beginning with prenatal experiences
andcontinuing throughout adulthood. As part of this perspective,
it is recognized that the first and second years of life are the
mostformative. That is, the most learning takes place in this period.
These years are the foundation for all future development.
DIRECTIONAL
Development proceeds from simple to complex. That is, cooing and
babbling precede words which precede sentences.
A PROCESS OF STAGES
While there are individual differences in the way each child develops,
there are patterns common to all children. These patterns are often
referred to as developmental milestones or tasks. For example, walking
occurs between 9-15 months.
CUMULATIVE
This point is extremely important when talking about children who
have resided in institutional facilities. Early development is the
basis for later development. The better the child masters tasks
at earlier stages,the easier it is to master the more complex tasks
of later stages. For example, peek-a-boo
is a precursor to taking turns. The child who misses this experience,
has more difficulty interacting with peers in school settings.
To
View More Module Examples; Click below...
Module
1: THE IMPACT OF ORPHANAGE LIFE ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Module 2: ATTACHMENT: IT TAKES TIME!
Module 3: ADOPTION - BRINGING YOUR CHILD HOME IS
JUST THE BEGINNING!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES - PARENT HANDOUTS
PRINTABLE ORDER FORM
|