CASE STUDY
A. PERSONAL DATA SUMMARY
Name of the child: WESLEY LE ROY
Age: 3 years and 6 months
Gender: Male
Birthday: September 7, 2007
Name of Parents: Mark Anthony Le Roy
Eden Duna
Address: Camarin Road Camarin Caloocan City
Birth order: Only child
B. JOINING PROCESS
My client is not referred to by anybody. It so happened that he is the only 3 years old I know in the neighborhood and most of the children in our place are in their middle childhood. The child used to live in our church’s compound. His grandmother is the sister of our head pastor. I ask permission from the grandmother if she will allow me to conduct an observation to the client. I explained to her that it is in line with our ECED 11 subject because she asked me what is that for. They are very cooperative in giving me the information that I needed.
The people involved in the therapeutic approach are his Lola Marisa, Tita Michelle, Lolo Mon (brother of client’s Lola), Lola Marina and I.
C. PRESENTING PROBLEM
As I interviewed Wesley’s Lola about the child’s personal data, she told me without hesitations and not even before I asked that they have a problem with regards to Wesley’s attitudes.She said that Wesley changed a lot after staying of 10 months in his mother and stepfather's house. From a sweet, courteous and innocent child, she told me that recently, Wesley is somewhat being aggressive, moody, fond of saying bad words which he never used to do before. They are also surprised to what Wesley usually say.They said that he is like a “ mature” child or “parang matandang magsalita”. When somebody would greet him, he will always reply with a bad words as if he is always very angry. According to Wesley's Lola Marissa, Wesley told them that he had a bad experiences while staying in his mother and stepfather's house. According to Wesley, was being punched by his stepfather on his stomach, put pepper on his eyes, drowning him in the drum full of water, not giving viand when Wesley is eating and saying bad words toward the child. When Wesley is being returned to his Lola Marissa, then they observed the changes in the behavior of Wesley. According to Lola Marissa, she confronted the mother and grandparents (mother side) about Wesley's revelation. The mother does not communicated nor visited Wesley anymore.
D. PSYCHOSOCIAL HISTORY
D1
2007 2010 2011
Birth of Wesley. His parents separated. He became aggressive.
The timeline indicated the important and crucial events in my client’s life.
v At the age of 2, Wesley’s parents had separation. He lived with his mother and stepfather in Nueva Ecija. Wesley used to be with his stepfather according to his Lola because his mother is the one who is working. His father has another family.
v At the age of 3 ½ , Wesley returned to his father and Lola in Camarin. His grandmother refused to return Wesley back to his own mother as they noticed that Wesley is not being taken cared of and as they noticed changes in Wesley’s attitudes.
D2 GENOGRAM
Wesley is said to be closer to his grandmother at father side because she is the one who takes good care of him. Wesley’s mother, Eden is not that close to her mother-in-law. Wesley’s mother does not visit him anymore.
The grandmother of Wesley at the father side is already separated with his husband since his father is young.
Wesley and his grandparents at the mother side has a good relationship. Wesley is frequently visited by his mother and grandparents at mother side.
D3 SOCIOGRAM
The straight lines indicate the people whom are Wesley’s favorites, Lola Marisa, Tita Mitch, Lolo Mon. And Wesley is the also the favorite of the many.
The broken lines indicated whom Wesley hated the most according to his Lola Marisa. And so the relatives of Wesley too.
D4 PERSONALITY DYNAMIC OF THE CHILD
According to Lola Marisa,Wesley already knows how to take a bath alone, brush his teeth, go to toilet, dress and feed himself. He can also ride in a small bicycle alone. He knows the names of all his relatives in their compound and some members of the church.
D5 CHILD’S QUALITY RELATIONSHIP
Lolo Mon: He is the brother of Wesley’s lola Marissa. Since they are living in one compound, Wesley used to go to his Lolo Mon everytime he wants. Wesley loves to sing with his Lolo Mon who is a Pastor. Wesley would strum a guitar (though he doesn't know yet how to do it properly) while singing with Lolo Mon.
Lola Marina: The wife of Lolo Mon. According to them, Wesley is a little bit spoiled with this person. She would always give what Wesley wants but with limitations. If Wesley is in their house, Wesley would always tell them to sing while playing a guitar and often ask to open the church to play with the musical instruments.
Tita Mitch: Wesley’s favorite Tita, (his father’s sister) always plays with him. She is the one who helps Lola Marisa in taking care of Wesley.
D6 THINGS THE CHILD CAPABLE OF DOING
As Wesley is being described by his Lola, she told that Wesley loves to play musical instruments, he can strum the strings of guitar, play keyboard and tambourine.
According to Lola Marisa,Wesley already knows how to scribble. He loves doing it on the paper, floor and on the wall. He also loves coloring. He knows how to sing children songs but his favorite are Christian songs especially “One Way Jesus”. He can pronounced some words properly because they did not baby talk Wesley and most of the people around him are matured age.
E. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
As I researched and reviewed all the theories that we tackled in our ECED subjects, these are the following theories related to my client’s problem:
Aggression is being defined as hostile attitude or behavior, a threatening behavior or actions. It is also an antisocial behavior that damage or destroys property or that results in physical or emotional injury to a person or animal.
I. SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY- Social learning theory is derived from the work of Albert Bandura which is proposed that social learning occurred through four main stages:
- close contact
- imitation of superiors
- understanding of concepts
- role model behavior
II. MODELING OR OBSERVATIONAL LEARNING- According to this, behavior can be learned through modeling. Aggression can be learned through models. Research indicates that children become more aggressive when they observed aggressive or violent models. Children experience aggression directly when they are smacked, shaken, or shoved as punishment for misbehavior.
moral thinking and moral behavior can be influenced by observation and modeling.
As I relate this to my client's attitudes, he modelled that behaviour from his stepfather, though he has not the ability to do exactly what his stepfather did, it seems that he begins to imitate some of the actuations especially saying those bad words (gago).
III. OPERANT CONDITIONING (B.F. SKINNER)- is based upon the notion that learning is a result of change in overt behavior. Changes in behavior are the result of an individual’s response to events (stimuli) that occur in the environment. As what is being described in Wesley's situation, he's aggressiveness results from his response to the experienced he had.
IV. MORAL DEVELOPMENT (LAWRENCE KOHLBERG)- Stage 1. Obedience and Punishment Orientation.
Kohlberg's stage 1 is similar to Piaget's first stage of moral thought. The child assumes that powerful authorities hand down a fixed set of rules which he or she must unquestioningly obey. To the Heinz dilemma, the child typically says that Heinz was wrong to steal the drug because "It's against the law," or "It's bad to steal," as if this were all there where to it. When asked to elaborate, the child usually responds in terms of the consequences involved, explaining that stealing is bad "because you'll get punished" (Kohlberg, 1958b).
Kohlberg calls stage 1 thinking "preconventional" because children do not yet speak as members of society. Instead, they see morality as something external to themselves, as that which the big people say they must do.
V. THE FRUSTRATION-AGGRESSION HYPOTHESIS- it was widely thought that frustration was the source of aggression. Today, we still believed that a frustrated child is more likely to be aggressive than one who is contented.
Wesley though he was not able to verbalize it, he is frustrated because of not enough love, care, support, encouragement he gets from his parents. That he is not getting what a little child must experience.
VI. PREOPERATIONAL STAGE (JEAN PIAGET)- cognitive process during this stage increases the ability to store words and language structures. There is the capacity to understand and make use of the words.
My client is a smart child, he was able to remember and retell what he had experience before. As I have observed his capabilities, based on D4 and D6, he is a little advance.
VII. SEPARATION ANXIETY- is a psychological condition in which an individual experiences excessive anxiety regarding separation from home or from people to whom the individual has a strong emotional attachment.
Every time my client goes to his mother then return to his father, he is able to likely feel this feelings especially if he is used to with his environment and had good experience from it.
VIII. TRUST VS. MISTRUST - the first stage of Erik Erickson's theory centers around the infants basic needs being met by the parents. The infants depends on the parent especially the mother for food, sustenance and comfort. The child's relative understanding of world and society come from the parents and their interactions from the child. If the parents exposed the child to warmth, regularity and dependable affection, the infants view of the world will be one of trust. Should the parents fail to provide a secure environment and to meet the child's basic needs, a sense of mistrust will result.
According to Erik Erickson, the major development task in infancy is to learn whether or not the other people, especially primary caregivers, regularly satisfy basic needs. If caregivers are not consistent sources of food, comfort and affection, an infant learns trust- that others are dependable and reliable. If they are neglectful or perhaps even abusive, the infants instead learns mistrust - that the world is undependable, unpredictable and possibly a dangerous place.
That is why, after 10 months of staying with stepfather's house, and experiencing those trauma, upon returning to his Lola's house, aggressiveness with Wesley is being noticed. He's needs were not met. Wesley since he is only 3 years and 6 months, though he can't verbalize it fully, he showed his frustration and mistrust through his actions. That is why, upon seeing us first after his vacation and when we called him, he replied with a bad word.
v As we can see in a picture, the heart is broken. It is represented by Wesley, a fragile and soft child. The separation of his parents made a big impact on Wesley’s attitudes especially by his Tito Ariel as being represented by the THORN.
v The bandages that try not to worsen the scars or heal the wound represent Wesley’s Lola Marissa and Tita Michelle.
F. PROGNOSIS
Based on how I made my theoretical framework and how I understood sections A- E, the child is having an aggression. The separation of his parents most especially the time when he stayed with his mother and stepfather and for what had his stepfather had shown and treated Wesley caused the aggressive behavior of the child. Wesley had absorbed aggressive behavior from what he had experienced from his stepfather. He was not able to fully experience or feel the love and care from real parents because of their separation.
G. THERAPEUTIC PLAN
G1. KNOWLEDGE BUILDING
At the end of the case study, my client child will be able to:
1. Recognize appropriate words to express feeling
2. Follow or obey simple directions
3. Learn more through his senses
G2. SKILLS BUILDING
At the end of the case study, my client child should be able to develop the skills of:
1. Speaking words, phrases clearly and make simple sentences
2. Communicate effectively in using polite or courteous word ( “po” and “opo”)
G3. VALUES/ATTITUDES BUILDING
At the end of my case study, my client child should be able to build the following attitudes:
1. Politeness in communicating with others especially with the elders by always using “po and “opo”.
2. Valuing the concept of sharing
3. Patience in accomplishing tasks and waiting turns
4. Friendliness especially in interacting with playmates
5. Confidence in performing tasks
H. THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS
OBJECTIVES
G.1 KNOWLEDGE BUILDING At the end of the case study, my client child will be able to: - Follow simple directions
- Recognize appropriate words to express feelings
- Learn more through the use of his senses
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INTERVENTIONS
1. Story telling with moral lessons (single plot, character) 2. Manipulative toys (puzzle, blocks) 3. Indoor and outdoor games/activities
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TARGET DATE
1. March 19, 2011
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G2. SKILL BUILDING At the end of the case study, my client child will be able to: 1. Speak words clearly and make simple sentence 2. Improve communication skills using polite words
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1. Reciting nursery rhymes 2. Listening to children songs 3. Finger play |
2. March 21, 2011 |
G.3 VALUES/ATTITUDE BUILDING
At the end of my case study, my client child will be able to build the following attitudes: - Politeness in communicating with others especially using “po” and “opo”
- Valuing the concept of sharing
- Patience in accomplishing tasks
- Friendliness especially in playing with others
- Confidence in accomplishing tasks
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- Give praises in using polite words
- Reinforce children when they do share/performing tasks
- Games or activities with simple rules and directions
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3. March 23, 2011 |
I. THERAPEUTIC PROGRESS
INTERVENTIONS
KNOWLEDGE
1. Story telling w/moral lessons 2. Manipulative toys 3. Indoor/outdoor activities, hands on experiences | SCHEDULES
1. March 19, 2011
| PROGRESS
My client knew how to use “po and opo." He followed the instructions I have given to him without hesitations. He can expressed what he wants and doesn't properly. He was able to do the activities continuously that I gave without complaining. |
SKILLS
1. Reciting nursery rhymes
2. Listening to children songs 3. Reading a loud short stories with moral lesson(single plot, character) |
2. March 21, 2011
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My client child was able to recite the nursery rhymes and can sing along with the music. I can say that he is enjoying much what we are doing. He's able to retell some of the minor events in our story telling.
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VALUES/ATTITUDES
1. Gives praises and rewards in using polite words 2. Reinforce client when he do share 3. Providing games or activities with simple rules and directions |
3. March 23, 2011 |
I can say that during my interaction with my client child, we is now used to say po and opo and saying of bad words are somehow eliminated though sometimes he forgets. He showed interest in our activites and showed patience and consistency in his mood. He shared the toys while playing and even initiate to offer the toys to others.
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J. THERAPEUTIC RESULTS
The problem of my client child is the changes in his attitudes, from sweet and approachable child, he became aggressive and often say bad words as what he have experience from his stepfather.
At the start of my interventions, I really had a hard time finding what activities that would suit to my client’s needs. After reviewing our past ECED subjects, I was able to come up with simple activities that will help my client child.
After doing those activities that I have presented and with the help of the significant people around my client child, I can say that he improves a lot. He had shown the knowledge, skills and attitudes that that my client need to achieve. I can say that have achieved my goals.
K. SUMMARY/CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
My client child is Wesley. This little boy lives in the compound of our church. He is the only child and he lives with his grandmother and Tita (fatherside). His parents separated.
I sought permission from his grandmother regarding my case study. They are the one who told me about their problem with the client’s attitude. The child is being brought to his own mother together with his stepfather for many months. Upon returning Wesley to them, they had observed this drastic changes to Wesley’s attitude aside from his physical aspects. He used to say bad words which he never used to before.
Upon thorough research and review, I was to able to come up with my objectives and interventions. I can say that I don’t have the hard time accomplishing those because my client is very cooperative so are his relatives. It seemed that everybody in the group are playing.
CONCLUSION
I therefore conclude that the changes in my client’s attitude has something to do with his environment and how he absorbed those, (negative or positive). I can say that children are very imitative and what they saw on adult they perceive those are correct since they are not yet matured enough to distinguish right from wrong (moral development).
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that the family should continue our activities or they may add something to it for the betterment of the child. I told them that this is the formative age of my client, it is really very crucial and needs to develop properly. This year serves as the foundation of the child. They should model the good behavior they want the child to do. They should provide a caring, nurturing, loving and supportive environment for the child aside from his basic needs.
L. IMPLICATIONS TO EDUCATION
Children are very innocent and fragile. It is in us adults that they depend their lives. They cannot choose whom to be with just to make sure all the things that they will be needed are met or provided.
We should be responsible enough to those little children. This case study of mine gives me better understanding about my responsibilities as mother and teacher in the near future.
A teacher without his pupils is nothing because how can he be called a teacher without the pupils. Whom he will be teaching with? It is our privileged to teach and mold the minds, heart and soul or the totality of these human beings.
Since we will be handling early childhood, a teacher should be equipped not only with the different theories about early childhood but for me most especially be prepared enough to have a heart to handle different kinds of children with different upbringings. An understanding mind, that they have strength and so the weaknesses. Most importantly, we should possess this virtue, PATIENCE since sometime in our lives, we became children too.
A teacher should remember that children’s foundation lies in our hand and that should be build properly to resist the struggles and changes in life.. That a teacher is the model of these children and we are accountable for that.
