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Running Head: INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCE STUDENT PROFILE

Individual Difference Student Profile

Amanda Anderson
Instructor: Tracey J. Meyerhoeffer
EDUC 205 Developmental/Individual Differences, Fall 2015

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Individual Difference Student Profile

Introduction
Individuals in our education system slowly turn into numbers and its easy to forget that
each child is important. I was able to work with a wonderful girl for many weeks and was able to
learn so many things about her age group. Words of encouragement and being role models to
these students, helps shape our world for the better. Physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional
skills are all enhanced in these students with the encouragement from educators and with this
young girl, the world can only change for the better.
General info
For this profile, I chose to observe a multicultural young woman, named Jacelyn
Raymond. Jacelyn is 10 years and 9 months old. Her parents were together when they were
younger, but have since separated. Jacelyn lives with her mother alone, but has two older siblings
that recently moved out. Her brother is 23 and her sister is 21. Jacelyn separates her time
between her mothers house and her fathers and shows a great sense of adaptability. In her
spare time, she loves to play on her IPad and thoroughly enjoys Ellen DeGeneres.
Physical Development
Although Jacelyn spends majority of her time with her mother, she shares many more
characteristics of her father. Her mother has long red hair, but Jacelyns hair is black and she also
has much darker skin than her mother. Shes extremely tall for age and has a bigger structure.
Shes still lean, but much bigger than other children her age. Jacelyn enjoys playing soccer with
the YMCA and looks forward to all of the events that the Y offers. However, she struggles with

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her diet in the fact that shes extremely picky. So many of the events are difficult when it comes
to snacks and parents sharing treats with the other kids.
Cognitive Development
Jacelyn is currently in the 5th grade and is right on track with her peers. Her teacher is
highly impressed by her skills and loves hearing what Jacelyn has to say. Her teacher uses a lot
of scaffolding techniques and Jacelyn is excelling with it. She is currently fascinated by Ellen
DeGeneres and watches all of her videos. So Jacelyn loves to add in input from Ellens shows.
Jacelyn is a quick learner, but is also motivated to find answers when shes falling behind. She
would benefit by being in a gifted and talented class, especially in science. Her will to succeed
in great and she shows great promise for her future.
Although shes highly motivated, Jacelyn struggles in the topic of mathematics. From my
perspective, it isnt because shes not good at it, but rather uninterested. She finds math to be
boring and she thinks theres no use for it in the real world. Throughout the years, I believe shell
come to realize that math is more interesting through the teachings of different educators and that
there is, in fact, a use for it in our everyday lives. Thanks to Allan Paivia, we know that through
the aid of dual code theory, pictures would be a wonderful tool in helping Jacelyn develop in
mathematics. Also, maintenance rehearsal could help her memorize many techniques in math.
Overall though, the many different strategies taught by different educators, could change the way
she feels about mathematics.
Socio-emotional Development
When it comes to Jacelyns socio-emotional development, she has many struggles.
Jacelyn is very social and loves to be part of large groups. However, she struggles with younger,

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less mature children. Jacelyn is ahead of her group in maturation and she gets along best with
adults. Although this seems like it could pose for a negative development, she seems to have a
good grasp on how to handle it. Jacelyn is always the leader of the group. Sometimes she may
come across bossy, but I believe her to just be a natural born leader.
A very interesting topic in the field of education is Jean Piagets stages of development.
He groups people into certain categories all based on age, and explains them. When it comes to
Jacelyn, she fits in wonderfully into his category of formal operational. Although slightly ahead
of Piagets stages, her ideas are independent concepts and she has a wonderful way of thinking
abstractly. In class, shes seen as the odd one out, but only because she thinks in a more mature
manner. Through observation, I have found that she feels insecure about her emotions and her
self-concept seems to be negative. However, it seems like a very slight negativity because shes
so uplifting about many other aspects. She just knows that shes a little different than the other
kids her age. Jacelyn still has friends and is wonderfully social. She just isnt as in-tune with
them as she is with older kids. This is a wonderful example of Vygotskys Theory of Cognitive
Development, because Jacelyns culture and upbringing had a huge impact on the way she
developed.
Summary of major findings
Even though Jacelyn shows extreme maturation with other children her age, I believe her
to be quite amazing. Shes a role model to all of the children around her and has an amazing
fascination with the beautiful world that surrounds her. Jacelyn finds all things to be uplifting and
she chooses to surround herself with positivity, like Ellen DeGeneres. She has so many great
leadership qualities, and has so much promise in the future.

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Strengths and weaknesses conclusions

Jacelyn shows great strength in her leadership and motivation. Shes an amazing role
model when it comes to cognitive development and overall, is very strong. Her biggest weakness
is her social struggles with more immature children. When it comes to her upbringing, shes
rarely around other children her own age, but shes constantly around adults. If she wants to
engage in conversation, shes forced to communicate on a more mature level. This is where her
struggles are born. She has no younger siblings, and is only around her cousins who are much
younger than her. Being around much younger children has made her become more of the Aunt
than cousin. This has aided in her maturation. Over time, however, others will be able to catch up
in maturation and shell be able to get along more socially with a more variety of people her own
age.
Strategies for teaching
In Eriksons 8 stages of psychosocial development, Jacelyn fits into the Identity vs.
Role Confusion stage. This helps an educator focus more on the success of the child and help
the child answer the biggest question of Can I make it in this big scary world. Through the
correct learning strategies and by addressing this issue through reassurance, Jacelyn may
understand that mathematics will come in time as long as she is persistent. Also, we can help her
with her social maturation by telling her its going to be okay. She doesnt have to be friends with
everyone, and explain to her that shes mature for her age. So in time, others will catch up to her
and shell have a better understanding of them. For now, if she works hard, shell continue to
excel and become something great!

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Conclusion
It can be concluded that Jacelyn is ahead and excelling in all aspects. So as she grows,
others will catch up. However, I believe her to be an over achiever. I see this child as one who
will prosper in her school work and be a wonderful leader throughout the years. With the help of
educators, Jacelyns physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional skills will only be enhanced and
shell be able to exceed in any field she chooses. This wonderful child has given me such insight
into the field of education and has only made my want to be a teacher, grow. I look forward to
helping students grow and help each one become their own person.

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Works Cited
Hinson, S., & Parsons, R., Sardo-Brown, D. (2001). Educational Psychology: A practitionerresearcher model of teaching. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Thomson Learning.