Bronfenbrenners Four Ecological Systems

1
Bronfenbrenners Four Ecological Systems

• Summarized by
• Amy E. Copple

2
An Overview

• Children grow up with overlapping ecological
  systems
• Each child occupies a certain socio-psychological
  niche
• Positive development is favored when there is a
  goodness-of-fit between the childs
  capabilities and the niche he/she occupies in
  their ecological system

3
Microsystems

• The immediate context of development
• Consists of all face-to-face relationships
• Parents, playmates, school, church, neighborhood
  kids
• Crucial, can serve as a buffer against stress

4
Mesosystems

• Linkage among the various microsystem settings
• Everyone has to be on the same page so the child
  has a sense of security
• The stronger the better

5
Exosystems

• An instance that indirectly affects a child
• Parents Job
• Wages, schedule, etc
• School Board
• Tutoring, subsidized lunches, etc
• City Council
• Funding libraries, running buses, etc

6
Macrosystem

• Broad, cultural ideologies that influence what we
  think about reality or what is valued or valuable
• Democracy
• Morality
• Religion
• Work-ethic

7
How this All Relates to Teaching

• Teacher-Parent Relationships
• The importance of this aspect is crucial
• The child doesnt feel like they have to move
  from one surrounding to another
• That they can act the same everywhere in their
  lives
• Theres no need to be loud and obnoxious at home
  and then on their best behavior at church
• All areas need to be connected so the child has a
  sense of stability

8
What INTASC Standards Does This Address?

• INTASC 2 The teacher understands how children
  learn and develop, and can provide learning
  opportunities that support their intellectual,
  social and personal development.
• I understand what a child needs to develop in the
  most appropriate way
• INTASC 10 The teacher fosters relationships with
  school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the
  larger community to support students learning
  and well-being
• I realize the importance of the teacher-parent
  relationship and that we, as teachers, need to
  keep the parents involved as much as possible.

9
What AYA Standards Does This Address?

• AYA 1 The teacher of adolescents and young
  adults understands the range of developmental
  characteristics of adolescence including
  interpersonal, cultural, and societal contexts
  and uses this knowledge to facilitate student
  learning.
• I realize that there needs to be a strong
  connection between the teacher and parents
• By understanding the importance of face-to-face
  interactions I realize how crucial a good
  relationship with even one teacher can be to a
  child