Applying Family Systems Theory to Early Childhood Practice Essay

In this article, Christian (2006) discusses the six characteristics of family systems relevant to early childhood practice. The author believes that teachers have a role in discovering and improving family systems to maximize children’s abilities. Therefore, early childhood teachers should consider these characteristics to help decide the best approach for students. The first characteristic is boundaries. There are two kinds of boundaries, namely disengaged and enmeshed. The first allows children to decide on their own and accept new friends, ideas, etc. but tend to be unattached while the other s from outside of the family. The second is more strict and attached; it supports and guides an individual in making decisions, but usually expects avid conformity with family rules. Considering the strengths and weaknesses of both kinds, the teacher should respect and support family boundaries in order to respond accordingly to needs. The second characteristic is roles. Family roles have a significant effect on students’ behavior. For instance, the eldest child tends to be more mature than others and play as the peacemaker, helper, etc. Teachers should recognize these roles and provide role playing situations where students can get to play other roles. Also, teachers should make families recognize their students’ strengths through writing simple notes. The third is rules. Teachers should know family rules of students in order to avoid confusing them with school rules. For instance, explain why a certain rule works in school but not at home, and vice versa. Teachers should have a positive outlook in striking a balance between both. Also, rules should be stated clearly because unspoken rules could lead to failure to obey them. The fourth characteristic is hierarchy. Families observe a certain hierarchy in the house. This points to the power to decide within a family. Teachers should be sensitive regarding this and observe the effect of family systems of each individual. For example, there are times when a child exercises power over others due to hierarchy experienced at home. Importantly, teachers should vary activities to make students experience a different hierarchy concept. Another characteristic is climate. This is the emotional and physical environment the child has. The role of the teacher is to ensure that the child has a positive climate at home. To do this, they could organize a talk with parents to find out and suggest a better climate parents can offer. Also, the climate in school should allow venue for â€Å"positive feedback and healthy sensory experiences.† The last one is equilibrium. This refers to the sense of balance within the family. Equilibrium should manifest in all aspects, such as health, emotions, activities, finance, etc. It can only be achieved by undergoing changes from time to time. For example, if a family experiences difficulty because of a daughter’s illness, parents cannot be focused only on the ill member. They should devote equal time for their other children who equally need care and attention. As professionals, teachers can guide parents to assess equilibrium in their family. The suggestions the author makes in this article are very significant. Considering the characteristics mentioned might help each family become more well-knit, thus maximizing intellectual and emotional development of the students. To effect this, teachers should have willingness, sincerity, and respect for each student and the family system where they belong. Reference Christian, Linda Garris. (2006). Applying family systems theory to early childhood practice. Retrieved 5 November 2008, from http://journal.naeyc.org/btj/200601/ChristianBTJ.asp

Matteo Ricci and China Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Matteo Ricci and China - Research Paper Example 1-50).1 The aim of this research paper is to discuss Matteo Ricci in China, why he came to China, what he completed during his stay in China, as well as the impacts he had on Chinese society during that time and in the modern day. Why Matteo Ricci came to China The main reason why Matteo Ricci went to China encompasses the desire to spread the Christian gospel to China. As an intelligent and talented Jesuit, Ricci sought to preach the Christian message in China. He entered China during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), marking the beginning of what can be referred as the third period of the history of Christianity in China. Together with other Jesuits, Ricci intended to see the implementation of the insights of Alessandro Valignano, their Jesuit chief. In order to make China a Christian society, he made attempts to connect with both the ordinary people and the educated Chinese. The Christian doctrines that Ricci wanted to spread in China mainly included those of Catholicism (Fontana 2011 , p. 1-50).1 Ricci also came to China with the aim of amassing knowledge, which he could disseminate to people in other parts of the world. Of utmost importance was his desire to spread Christianity to the Chinese cultures, which had no prior knowledge of Christianity but used to be strict followers of other religious beliefs. Thus, his determination to see Christianity spread in China can be termed as the main reason why Matteo Ricci came to China (Brockey 22007, p. 10-250). What Matteo Ricci completed during his stay in China and his impact during that time up to modern day China Some of the accomplishments that Ricci made in China included preaching and spreading Christianity to most of the parts of China. His main focus included spreading Catholicism doctrine, teaching astronomy, geography, and mathematics. During his stay in China, Ricci collected maps of China and merged them with maps of the west to come up with the map of the entire world (Brockey 2007, p. 10-250).2 For the first time, there came to be the Chinese Global map, which Ricci himself compiled. His other contributions included the introduction of geographic coordinate system, as well as western geography. The coordinate system helped in the measuring of longitude and latitude in maps, which led to China. Ricci introduced western civilization to the Chinese people; this civilization spread to other countries around China such as Japan (Hsia 2010, p. 30-120).3 His other accomplishments while in China included doing twenty writings in Chinese. These writings encompassed scientific works, religious writings, as well as treaties; one of the most famous writings that he did was the â€Å"True Doctrine of God.† Moreover, he contributed to the compiling of the first European-Chinese dictionary and two Portuguese-Chinese dictionaries. Ricci’s accomplishments in China also encompassed leaving behind 2,500 Chinese Catholics at the time of his death; most of them included the educated ones . His legacy also encompassed a Friendship Treatise, Mnemonic arts treatise, as well as a translation of Elements of Geometry in Chinese (Lehner 2011, p. 4-70).3 Ricci’s accomplishments while in China also encompass writings that entailed catechisms and the translation of Chinese prayers. Moreover, Ricci was highly involved in the composition of hymns in the Chinese language, which played a crucial role in his efforts to spread the doctrines and teachings of

Hitler's table talk Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Hitler's table talk - Term Paper Example Despite the almost evil and cynical conceptions that we might have of Hitler, it is still irrefutable that to be able to attain such status, one has to have the charisma and the mental faculties that exceeds normal standards. The book Hitler’s Table Talk offers a different side to Adolf Hitler confined throughout the most important years of his life. The book, derived as transcripts from Hitler’s conversations which extend to the Second World War focuses on the man that controlled Germany. It is divided into five parts, each with its encompassing dates and in reference to the private conversations that he had before his gruesome death of his subsequent fall. There are many controversies surrounding this book but there have been reliable people who have vouched for the authenticity of the recordings for which they are based. There is also the bigger issue of the translations of whether or not they were properly translated but in either case they are interesting for they offer a deeper insight into the mind of Adolf Hitler. What is interesting about Hitler is that he is not a man born into fame and fortune. He was someone who worked his way until an opportunity came for him. He was no even a German per se but an Austrian and his ideals were for a better country and a better future initially. He is as the most common progress of dictators goes someone who had a vision and who wanted for his vision to be a reality. But along the way one thing lead to another which leads to the next and gets off track. The Ideologies Part one begins with the distinction given between Russia and the Aryans. It is an attempt to differentiate the two and how the system proliferated by Bolsheviks and the Stalinists do not work as it is in direct contravention of the very nature of Russia. It is even not without a jab at degrading by referring to the Western distinction given to it as a ‘State.’ This is a clear indication of the second-class view of Russia in t he eyes of Hitler; in contrast, Aryans are portrayed in a very positive light. They are described as being very active in their work and that it does not stop there for they are intelligent beings as well who are not easily satisfied with what is happening in front of them lest there is manifest improvement. Even a positive attribute of being dedicated to work is exaggerated into one of a workaholic and this is instigated as a problem for the race. Analogies are given where Italians are like ants when it comes to diligence and Russia’s civilization is synonymous with vodka. The fascist movement simply is not most appropriate solution for Russia. Hitler’s contemplation on the nature of God and a supreme being is arguably the most interesting of the transcriptions. What we all know is that the genocide that happened in Auschwitz was a product of religious hate as it was bigotry of the utmost form. He does not offer insightful thoughts that are not altogether new nor are they any less refreshing. â€Å"I think the man who contemplates the universe with his eyes wide open is the man with the greatest amount of natural piety: not in the religious sense, but in the sense of an intimate harmony with things† (Cameron and Stevens, p.5). Taken into the weight of these words without any historical referencing, one cannot be denied of the idea that this is not something repulsive. On the contrary, it is a very logical and rather sensible. It is merely an affirmation of a very natural outlook that goes deep

THE GLOBAL ECONOMY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

THE GLOBAL ECONOMY - Essay Example bserved that cutting edge improvements in the area of information technology (IT) have made most of the business processes easier as well as economical, apart from pushing geographical boundaries into near obsolescence. These improvements â€Å"have made it less costly for consumers to determine the characteristics of products produced abroad† (Krol, 2008, P.3), and have also provided the producers/manufacturers with the ease to gauge consumer preferences. As a result the manufacturers are in a better position to customize their products and/or services with an aim to tap the foreign markets. Hence it can easily be comprehended that the modern business scenario that prevails in the global arena is highly competitive and the players are keen on utilizing every possible avenue to maximize their gains. It may be observed that â€Å"income growth in developed countries and even in some less-developed countries has increased the demand for goods and services produced domestically as well as from abroad† (Krol, 2008, P.4), which implies that the volumes of international trade – and hence its inherent perils – have been rising incrementally, thereby calling for efficient trade protection policies. Another important reason for the implementation of such policies is that â€Å"trade restrictions have decreased significantly since World War II† (Krol, 2008, P.4). In the context of global economies it has been observed that the developed nations can afford to subsidise, the developing nations prefer barriers to protect their trading activities. Data from the World Bank reveal that a large number of trade restrictions have been brought into effect as â€Å"several countries, including 17 of the G-20, have implemented 47 measures whose effect is to restrict trade at the expense of other countries† (Gamberoni & Newfarmer, 2009, P.1). Within the eventful cauldron of international trade one of the phenomena that raise concern is that of dumping which, according to the World

Business Environment in United Kingdom Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Business Environment in United Kingdom - Essay Example An economic system are the consists of the people, institutions, processes, procedures that must be followed when making economic decisions to help solve the economic problems that face different economies. The different types of economic systems will determine the decisions on what to produce, how to produce, and who to consume the output. Economic Concepts and Problems The major economic problems that face economies include: the scarcity problem, competition, choice, resources, opportunity costs, needs, efficiency and wants. These are the key concepts that are fundamental in the understanding of the economic problems and that influence the kind of economic decisions that must be made for economic stability purposes and for the attainment of the solutions to the economic problems. The first concept is scarcity. This is a major economic problem that states that human needs are unlimited and resources are insufficient to satisfy all the diverse needs. The society is therefore faced wi th the challenges of the allocation of the scarce resources to attain maximum satisfaction of the unlimited needs. The economic system will therefore determine what to be produced and who to consume. It therefore also mean that a trade off must be made while making the economic decisions. Due to scarcity problem, the individuals in an economy will compete for the limited resources in order to survive. Competition is the scramble for the limited resources in order to acquire a fair share. Businesses and individuals both have to compete for the limited and scarce resources in order not to get eliminated in the system. When competition arises, the government agencies may formulate policies that are aimed at ensuring that the allocation of resources and that the competition is fair for all the participants. Competition has always been desired in order to increase efficiency and improve on the quality. The third important concept is opportunity cost. In economics the pursuance of one dec ision will mean a sacrifice to another possible action. Opportunity cost is the cost forgone for selecting the best alternative. Because the resources that are available in each economy is not enough to produce enough goods and services for everybody, some decisions must be made while others will be sacrificed. Economic systems will assist in the determination on what to produce and what to sacrifice. Needs are the requirements for existence or survival. Individuals in an economy will need food, shelter and good infrastructure for them to have a good life. Businesses as well will need resources e.g. raw materials in production or economic conditions that are favourable for operation. In addition, resources are the commodities or assets that are needed for production of goods and services that are demanded by individuals. Resources have the characteristics that they are limited, get depleted and have utility. The allocation of resources in production determines the manner in which th e economy performs and the output that will be attained. Economic systems are instrumental in the allocation of these scarce resources to maximize the satisfaction that will be achieved in the economy. Moreover, the scarcity of resources in production and in the satisfaction of human needs will mean that a choice must be made in relation to what to produce, quantity to produce, when to produce and who to consume. Choice can be defined as the choosing from among alternatives. In economic problems, a choice must be made on what to pursue among the various alternatives that are existing. The economic system influences the choices that are adopted in the

Supporting Organizational Strategies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Supporting Organizational Strategies - Essay Example According to a survey conducted by New Zealand’s Business NZ and the Industry Training Federation in 2003 (Jeremy et al, 2003), 55% responding firms indicated that the need to continue to provide training, or begin providing training, within the enterprise depends on shortage of skilled workers and if suitable courses to meet such training needs were available. Other important drivers for training were identified as customer requirements (49%), a desire to growth within the enterprise (48%), skill shortages in the industry (where these exist) (48%), and actual growth in the enterprise (47%). All in all, it was realized that firms involved in training and skill development gained much from the training. When firms take on extensive training and skill development, there is that tendency that quality of output will improve. Employees who have gone through such training learn new ways of production and ameliorate their ideas of the whole production process. Looking at theories of motivation, employee motivation leads to survival and positive productivity within the firm (Smith, 1994). It is absolutely important for managers to understand what makes employees motivated, because employee motivating factors are complex and change everyday (Bowen and Radhakrishna, 1991). Therefore, just that aspect of recognition within the industry to undergo training and skill development to some employees is a motivating factor (Vroom, 1964). When employees are motivated, there is increase in productivity and consequently growth in the business. Therefore through skill development and training programs, there is obviously employee motivation and increase knowledge in knew production skills and consequently, business growth. When employees gain new skills, there is considerable positive effect on health and safety of the enterprises. This is because, when new skills are gained, the company stands a better competitive place on the market with her competitors

Colonial period from 1607 to 1750 Essay Example for Free

Colonial period from 1607 to 1750 Essay During the colonial period from 1607 to 1750 an American way of life emerged, differing from Old World European culture. This new lifestyle developed from the interaction of five major groups, including the; Native Americans, Chesapeake colonies, New England colonies, Indentured servants, and African slaves. Each of these peoples contributed ideas, principals, practices, and beliefs to the melting pot that would later become the United States of America. Native Americans had a significant impact on Europeans as early as Americas discovery in 1492 (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 14), during which time, the Columbian Exchange occurred. This initial exchange had a larger influence on Native American life than European, as the Old World explorers introduced diseases to which the Indians had no natural immunity (Yazawa, Melvin 46). According to Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey (15), in the Centuries after Columbus landfall, as many as 90 percent of the Native Americans perished. When Europeans returned to America in the 1600s to develop permanent settlements, Native Americans reintroduced to them planting techniques and crops, such as corn and tobacco, that would revolutionize the early colonies economies and diet allowing them to grow and flourish and making them an important aspect of American culture (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 15). Additionally, Native Americans shared in the celebration of the first Thanksgiving with the Plymouth pilgrims (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 52), a holiday still important and beloved today. Later interactions between the Native Americans and Colonists were mainly hostile, as a result of the Europeans insatiable land-lust, evident in such conflicts as the Pequot War (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 52). The aid Native Americans provided to early settlers allowing them to sustain themselves would result in the downfall and destruction of numerous Indian tribes, who had already dwindling populations as a result of European diseases (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 31). However, conflict forced Native Americans to band together, displaying a way in which Europeans shaped Indian history in America as well (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 32). The Chesapeake colonies were another group that largely influenced the development of the American culture. Virginia was the first colony; founded in 1607 by a joint-stock company hoping to find gold and a passage through America to the Indies (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 28). This company, named the Virginia Company of London, received a charter from the King for a settlement in the new world (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 28). This charter was important to the formation of an American pride. The document guaranteed the New World settlers would be guaranteed the same rights of Englishmen at home. However, this document later fueled the colonists desire for independence from their intrusive and controlling mother country (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 29). The introduction of tobacco to early settlers played a large role in the growth of the Chesapeake colonies, especially Virginia. In fact, tobacco growth was so important to colonists they threatened themselves with starvation by choosing to plant the cash crop over food crops (Wheeler and Becker 29). Without tobaccos economic contribution to the survival of Virginia, contributions made by the colony might not have been made. Virginias House of Burgesses was the first representative legislative assembly in British North America (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 33). This was the first of many parliaments to emerge in America, justifying the efforts of the Colonists to eventually breakaway from British rule, as they believed themselves fit to oversee their own nation. The other Chesapeake colonies also contributed to the formation of a uniquely American way of life. Maryland, founded in 1634 (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 33), was haven to Roman Catholics seeking refugee in the new world. Without a place for this minority religion to survive, it might not have been sheltered in the new world. The Carolinas were composed of large expanses of open land, resulting in a large plantation agriculture system in the south (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 38) that resulted in the use of indentured servitude and slavery throughout southern America. However, the colony founded last in 1733, Georgia (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 38), slowed the immediate development of slavery in the Chesapeake colonies. As Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey stated, Georgia was a religiously tolerant settlement, which was slavery free until 1750. The New England colonies were formed largely so those settling in the colonies could be free of religious persecution, especially in Massachusetts Bay (Wheeler and Becker 30). According to Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey, The Mass. Bay colony was formed in 1628 (37), although the puritans who merged into the Massachusetts Bay colony from Plymouth arrived in 1620 (37). The Pilgrims who arrived in Plymouth influenced American ideals of freedom from oppression, through the Mayflower Compact. This document became quintessential to the creation of later constitutions. It was an agreement to form a crude government and submit to the will of the majority ( Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey). The Massachusetts Bay colony contributed early concepts of a liberal government to America. Local affairs and issues were eligible for discussion by a large percentage of adult men, and voting was completed by majority rules (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 47). However, religious leaders held significant power in the lives of the settlers, influencing the beliefs of those residing in the Massachusetts Bay colony. As a result, those threatening Puritan views such as Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams, were banished (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 48). This was actually advantageous for the development of a diverse American culture, as those forced outside of Massachusetts Bay moved to more accepting colonies, such as Rhode Island. Rhode Island was a region of varying religious beliefs and ways of life as there was a lack of religious oath or taxation present in so many of the other colonies (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey). The Dutch contributed names and settlers to the renamed New York colony after it was surrendered to the Duke of York in 1664 (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey). Pennsylvania, founded in 1681 according to Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey (60), was home to the passive Quakers. Pennsylvania influenced American ethnicity, as the colony attracted people of various backgrounds (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 61). Indentured servants played a large role in the growth of an American lifestyle. Prior to the popularity of slavery in the South, colonies such as Virginia and Maryland utilized indentured servants to tend large plantations (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 33). Indentured servants supported the cash crops that helped the early colonies thrive financially, without which finances, the colonies might not have survived (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 67). Once indentured servants had completed their terms, they became freemen, but remained much in the same position as before. They were penniless and searching for land and a job. These freemen also contributed to a rebellious and headstrong American people, willing to fight for what they believed in. During Bacons Rebellion in 1676, a group of young freemen led by Nathaniel Bacon attacked Indians near jamestown in retaliation of Indian attacks on frontier settlements (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 68). African slaves during the colonial period influenced the development of the American way of life. Due to economic change in colonies in the 1680s (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 70), it was financially possible for plantation owners in the south to purchase African slaves as opposed to using indentured servants. Additionally, by 1662, distinctions between a white indentured servant and african slave were made in Virginia (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 72), which made blacks and their children the property of their white masters for life. African slavery in America made it possible for southern plantations to truly develop, at the cost of a peoples rights. African slaves were subject to a plethora of harsh conditions, including harsh hours and intensive labor in the blistering heat (Kennedy, Cohen, and Bailey 72). This resulted in a large part of American economic success being reliant on the exploitation of a group of people. The American way of life developed as a result of the interaction of numerous groups including the Native Americans, the Chesapeake colonies, the New England colonies, the Indenture servants, and the African slaves. Native Americans contributed staple crops which would support the early settlers and modify the American diet permanantly. Chesapeake colonists, although originally settling the Americas in order to attain wealth, found a permanent home that they would later fight to rule. The New England colonists wrote up the Mayflower compact, a primitive agreement which would inspire later constitutions. The indentured white servants led to the eventual treatment of people solely as property in the case of African American slaves after indentured servitude ended. Slavery would prove to be a social barrier and issue for numerous years to come, as africans struggled to acquire the same rights as granted to white citizens.