Diane Ocaranza

Professor Franklin
Course HD 497
27 September 2015
Course HD 300-Early Childhood Themes and Life Cycle Issues
HD 300 provided learning that covered childhood stages to elder years. Here we
learnt about different theories and focused primarily on one theorist, Erik Erikson and his
Psychosocial Development Theory, which includes 8 developmental human stages. In
creating group projects and presentations, along with our fictional readings the class
began to notice that these stages actually become a cyclical pattern for most of us. We
analyzed our current and past life experiences and realized that we either related with one
particular stage, and within that same stage follows success or failure. In addition, along
with the human developmental stage we find ourselves in, we cultivate certain
characteristics, which actually fit true when comparing them to Eriksons stage
description.
Further, we were introduced to concepts of praising a child and how that in
contrast to our effort to improve a childs esteem, lowers the childs esteem and confuses
a child as s/he progresses in life (school, sports, work, etc.). This concept really taught me
how to develop better communication techniques with daughter. Because here instead of
just brushing her off with a GOOD JOB and continue whatever I was working on, I
now stop what I am doing, take a look at what she is showing me, ask her open-ended
questions about the work she is so happy to show me, and we go from there. Not only did

the concept of praise enlighten me, but also it served its purpose because I am more
engaged in having my three-year-old develop her critical thinking.
HD 300 advanced group interaction and myriad class discussion amongst
students. These interactions and discussions brought upon a lot of insight not only from
my self towards my classmates, but also from my classmates towards me. My input on
our readings and theories along with my classmates input really stood on an open
platform, where we began to express how we interpreted everything we were learning
and how our learning slowly incorporated to our daily interactions with others, and or
how we carry ourselves throughout the day at home, work, school, and social life.
Furthermore, HD 300 ignited consciousness with regards to diversity. Diversity in
its many forms, which include: bi-cultural families, cultural, sexual orientation,
physical/mental developmental disabilities, SES, age, and gender diversity. This class
brought upon the class the idea of appreciating the differences of others, and embracing
our own difference in society. The video clips on diversity, and daily on-line news
printouts became evidence of the American society struggle with being able to embrace
others differences, as opposed to frowning upon such differences with violent bullying.
Therefore, HD 300 serves to make its classmates better citizens and community
activists, in which by starting with one class that teaches an anti-bias curriculum we can
now being to bring and practice our learning at home. Once we begin practicing what we
have learned at home we can teach to our friends, co-workers, and whomever else we
cross paths with. It is with pleasure when I say that this class exceeded my expectations
and delivered my class goals.