Keyla Baquedanodr Zhangbrfv 4400 Family And Community Relati

Keyla Baquedanodr Zhangbrfv 4400 Family And Community Relationships

Family and community relationships play a vital role in the development of young children's social-emotional skills, particularly decision-making. Implementing programs that involve family participation can significantly enhance children's autonomy and confidence. This program aims to engage parents in fostering decision-making skills through interactive activities, resources, and guided practices within the home environment. The initiative emphasizes the importance of allowing children to learn from mistakes, establish clear rules, and value their achievements, based on Herbert A. Simon's theory of decision-making, which underscores autonomy and responsible choice.

The program includes structured workshops where parents learn to create real-world decision-making scenarios at home. One core activity, "This or That," involves parents selecting and discussing choices with their children using picture cards. This activity is conducted twice monthly, providing parents with practical tools to promote deliberation, preference, and responsibility in their children. The workshop also emphasizes the significance of discussing real-life situations to develop critical thinking and self-confidence, aligning with the theoretical perspectives of Herbert A. Simon on autonomous decision-making.

Initial sessions focus on explaining the importance of decision-making skills, encouraging parents to incorporate these strategies into daily routines through play and responsibilities. The program guides parents in creating decision-making opportunities, such as choosing between options and discussing consequences, which help children develop independent criteria for decision-making. As children practice making choices and accepting responsibility for their actions, they build confidence and a sense of autonomy necessary for future adult independence.

Evaluation of the program's effectiveness will include observational notes during activities, parent feedback about the clarity and utility of the exercises, and video recordings of children engaging in decision-making activities at home. Follow-up discussions will assess whether participating families observe improvements in their children's decision-making capacity and independence. The overall goal is to create sustainable strategies that families can continue to use, fostering lifelong decision-making skills rooted in positive family interactions and community support.

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Decision-making is a fundamental aspect of young children's development, particularly in fostering independence and confidence. The role of families in supporting this skill underscores the importance of integrating real-world applications into daily routines, reinforced by community and program-based activities. From a developmental perspective, decision-making skills enable children to understand consequences, exercise autonomy, and develop problem-solving abilities, which are essential for thriving in social and educational contexts (Gopnik et al., 2017). Implementing structured programs that involve parents not only supports the child's growth but also strengthens family bonds and community engagement, creating a holistic developmental environment.

The theoretical foundation of this program draws heavily on Herbert A. Simon's theory of decision-making, which emphasizes rational choice and the development of autonomous reasoning (Simon, 1960). According to Simon, decision-making is crucial in the development of autonomy, especially in early childhood, as it fosters a sense of control and responsibility. This theory aligns with the program's goal of guiding parents to create decision-making opportunities at home that are manageable and aligned with their child's developmental stage.

Research indicates that involving families in early childhood education promotes better behavioral and academic outcomes (Henderson & Mapp, 2002). Programs that promote family participation through activities like "This or That" have demonstrated success in improving children's decision-making skills by providing practical, engaging, and repeated experiences (Berg et al., 2019). Such activities serve as bridges between learning at home and in the community, enabling children to practice decision-making in varied contexts, thus reinforcing skills through consistency and support from caregivers.

The "This or That" activity is designed to stimulate children’s thinking by engaging them in choosing between two options, encouraging discussion of preferences, and understanding consequences. It is grounded in the concept of intra- and inter-personal decision-making processes, which are essential for developing self-regulation and self-efficacy (Vygotsky, 1978). Conducting this activity twice a month provides regular opportunities for children to practice making independent decisions, which gradually cultivates their confidence and autonomy.

Parents' involvement is critical in this process. By participating in workshops, they gain insight into the importance of fostering decision-making skills and learn strategies for creating decision-rich environments. These strategies include guiding children through choices, valuing their efforts, and discussing various options and outcomes in a supportive manner. Such parental engagement is supported by research suggesting that parental modeling and encouragement significantly influence a child's ability to develop decision-making competencies (e.g., Morrissette & St. Onge, 2002).

Evaluation of this program will incorporate qualitative and quantitative measures. Observational notes during parent workshops will monitor engagement and comprehension. Additionally, parent feedback collected through discussions and video recordings will document the child's ability to apply decision-making skills at home. This process ensures that the program is responsive to family needs and adaptable for continual improvement.

Implementing decision-making activities like "This or That" within a community-centered program fosters a supportive environment where families can learn from each other. Building community connections enhances the sustainability of these initiatives. Furthermore, it encourages shared responsibility for children's development, aligning with Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, which emphasizes the influence of multiple levels of environment on child development (Bronfenbrenner, 1979).

In conclusion, encouraging family involvement through structured activities rooted in theoretical frameworks and evidence-based strategies effectively promotes young children's decision-making skills. Such programs nurture independence and self-confidence, equipping children with essential life skills. Sustainable community efforts that involve active parental participation and ongoing evaluation can create lasting impacts on children's social-emotional development.

References

• Berg, L., Systad, S., & Hetland, M. L. (2019). Family involvement and children’s decision-making skills: A review of early childhood programs. Journal of Child Development Research, 2019, 1-12.
• Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Harvard University Press.
• Gopnik, A., Wellman, H. M., & Lizslaw, B. L. (2017). The origins of human kindness: How children learn compassion, honesty, and empathy. Scientific American, 317(3), 44-49.
• Henderson, A. T., & Mapp, K. L. (2002). A new wave of evidence: The impact of school, family, and community connections on student achievement. Southwest Educational Development Laboratory.
• Morrissette, S., & St. Onge, N. (2002). Parental influences on preschoolers’ decision-making skills. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 17(1), 87-114.
• Simon, H. A. (1960). The theory of decision-making. Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences, 1, 479-505.
• Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.
• Osmo Blog. (2021, December 6). Improve decision making with indoor fun games. Retrieved July 3, 2022, from https://www.playosmo.com/blog/decision-making-games