Influence of Physical Environment of Child's Self-Concept

How does the social environment in a child care setting influence a child’s self-concept? Consider attachment, the way adults interact with the child, and the images of the child the adults carry in their minds.

A child social environment is important just like their physical environment. Child care settings may influence a child’s self-concept. Depending on whom the child interact with the child will develop a sense of self. A child environment affect the way they behave. “A self-concept comes from the body image as well as cultural and gender identification” (Gonzalez-Mena & Eyer, 2009). Therefore, culture plays and important role in self-concept. Children can learn about themselves by following their culture. For example, Billy’s culture believe they should teach their children to become independent. Billy’s family is teaching him how to do things alone. Now, Billy is learning self-concept from a culture prospective.

“The social environment, the way a child is treated by adults and children, affect self-concept and influences the degree of self-esteem”(Gonzalez-Mena & Eyer, 2009, p.289). Social environment may have a negative or positive affect on a child. Let’s say that Fed is mistreated by the people is usually hang around. Fed may end up having low-self-esteem because he is mistreated. “Subtle messages echoed by adults and peers can promote or undermine self-esteem”(Gonzalez-Mena & Eyer, 2009, p.145). Furthermore, it can lead children to feeling helpless. A positive social environment may lead to a child with high self-esteem.

Parents being attached to children has a lot to do with a child self-esteem. Parents provide children with the things they need; love, emotional support, and showing that they care. Showing children support makes them feel good about their self. “Preschoolers with secure attachments are more popular with their peers, had higher self-esteem, and were less dependent and negative” (education.com). According to their research children with attachment had better outcomes with their identity.

Describe what is meant by a “multicultural approach to curriculum.” How can multicultural curriculum impact children’s self-concepts?

Multicultural curriculums impose information from different ethnic backgrounds. Multicultural curriculums may include pictures, food, clothes, or holidays from other cultures. Children can participate in any of the activities if they are old enough. For example, one teacher might plan for children to look at pictures from other countries. The teacher might example how their culture is alike and different in some ways. For instance, the people in the picture from Africa did not have shoes.