Writing Assignment 2: Movie Critique 80 Points See Movie Lis

Writingassignment2moviecritique80pointsseemovielist Forapprovedwritin

Your writing assignment requires analyzing a selected movie from an approved list, focusing on specific developmental themes. The paper must include a title page in APA style, be at least four double-spaced pages long with 12-point Times New Roman font, and have 1-inch margins on all sides. It should incorporate references from your textbook and four outside professional articles, each carefully cited in APA format. Each section of the paper (A, B, C, D) requires discussion of scenes that exemplify various aspects of child development—cultural, physical, cognitive, and socioemotional—using scenes from the movie and supported by relevant theories and concepts from the textbook and outside references. The analysis should be thorough, with clear descriptions of scenes, relevant issues, and theoretical explanations, avoiding plagiarism or duplication of ideas across sections. Proper grammar, spelling, and syntax are essential, and proofreading is recommended. The assignment emphasizes connection to child development theory and application to real-life scenes depicted in the film.

Paper For Above instruction

In this critique, I will analyze scenes from the movie Akeelah and the Bee (2006) to examine key aspects of child development, focusing on cultural issues, physical development, cognitive growth, and socioemotional processes. Each section highlights a distinct developmental domain, supported by relevant psychological theories and literature.

Section A: Cultural Issues Related to Child Development

In Akeelah and the Bee, a significant scene occurs when Akeelah confronts stereotypes related to her ethnicity and socioeconomic status. The scene where her classmates mock her for participating in the spelling bee underscores societal stereotypes about African American children and their academic potential. This scene reflects broader cultural issues of racial bias and stereotypes that can influence self-esteem and motivation, echoing theories of stereotype threat, as discussed by Steele and Aronson (1995). Stereotype threat posits that awareness of negative stereotypes can hinder performance, especially in academic settings. The scene exemplifies how cultural biases shape children's self-perception and performance, stressing the importance of culturally responsive educational practices (García Coll et al., 1996). Recognizing these influences is crucial for understanding the barriers faced by minority children in academic achievement and development.

Section B: Physical Development Issues

Another pivotal scene depicts Akeelah practicing her speech for the spelling bee, highlighting her physical development, particularly her cognitive-motor coordination and speech articulation. During this scene, her focus on pronunciation and pacing demonstrates the development of fine motor control and speech mechanisms, which are essential during middle childhood. Developmental theories like Piaget’s concrete operational stage suggest that children gain better control over their movements and speech at this age, which reflects in her confident speech delivery. Additionally, research by Kuhl (2004) emphasizes the importance of neural plasticity in speech development during childhood, illustrating how practice enhances neural pathways responsible for language. This scene exemplifies how physical maturation supports cognitive skills and academic performance, emphasizing the importance of physical health and motor skills in overall child development (Berk, 2018).

Section C: Cognitive Development in the Movie

A key scene representing cognitive development occurs when Akeelah employs mnemonic strategies to memorize spelling words. This scene exemplifies the application of memory strategies, highlighting the development of cognitive processes such as attention, executive functioning, and memory retrieval. According to Piaget’s formal operational stage, children develop increased capacity for abstract thinking and problem-solving—skills evident when Akeelah devises her own mnemonic devices. Vygotsky’s scaffolding theory also underpins her learning process, as her mentor Rochelle provides support that enhances her cognitive growth. Research by Siegler (2016) supports the idea that strategic memory techniques can improve learning outcomes in children. This scene underscores how cognitive skills evolve during middle childhood, enabling children to apply problem-solving methods, organize information, and improve academic performance.

Section D: Socioemotional Development

The final scene examined involves Akeelah’s emotional response when she overcomes her fear of performing in front of peers and her community. Her display of pride and confidence highlights socioemotional development—particularly self-efficacy and emotional regulation. According to Erikson’s psychosocial theory, this scene reflects the stage of Industry versus Inferiority; Akeelah’s success fosters her sense of competence and identity. Additionally, Bandura’s social learning theory emphasizes the role of self-efficacy beliefs in motivation and perseverance (Bandura, 1997). The scene illustrates how positive emotional experiences and supportive relationships promote resilience and self-esteem, which are vital for healthy socioemotional growth (Denham & Burton, 2003). Recognizing these emotional processes informs strategies for fostering resilience and emotional competence in children facing societal pressures.

References

  • Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W. H. Freeman.
  • Berk, L. E. (2018). Child development (9th ed.). Pearson.
  • García Coll, C., et al. (1996). Toward a Third Culture: Culture and Development in School-Age Children. American Psychologist, 51(10), 1067–1077.
  • Kuhl, P. K. (2004). Early language acquisition: Traditional and contemporary perspectives. Child Development, 75(1), 1-7.
  • Siegler, R. S. (2016). Children’s Thinking: Cognitive Development and Learning (6th ed.). Pearson.
  • Steele, C. M., & Aronson, J. (1995). Stereotype threat and its implications for minority students in higher education. American Psychologist, 50(6), 438–446.