Lesson Plan #: AELP-FAL0200
Date: October 13, 2000
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12, Higher Education, Adult/Continuing Education
Subject(s):
Description: The purpose of this lesson is to contrast three common parenting styles and consider the advantages and disadvantages of each. Students will discuss effective child guidance techniques.
Goals: Students will understand effective parenting behaviors.
Objectives:
1. Students will describe parenting skills needed to care for young children.
2. Students will discuss guidance techniques for young children, using three parenting styles.
Materials:
Procedure:
Brief Introduction:
"Knowledge about parenting practices has changed greatly since your parents and grandparents were children. For instance, it is more common today for fathers to be actively involved in all aspects of childrearing. There are many different styles of parenting, including: a) overindulgent and permissive, b) authoritarian and controlling, and c) developmental (leader-trainer-coach-friend). Each has advantages and disadvantages. The first parenting style includes adults who are completely child-centered, permissive, and hesitant to establish family rules. These parents fear dampening a child's spirit. The second parenting style, authoritarian, is characterized by strict enforcement of rules with little flexibility. Children may rebel against controlling parents if freedoms are not granted as they grow. The third parenting style is a developmental approach. These parents initially lead by authority, then lead by influence as the child ages. Boundaries yield to freedoms as the child demonstrates responsible behavior. Correction is offered when children make mistakes. The result of this approach is a child whom others respect and enjoy as a friend." Assign during class, or as homework, brief reference reading on parenting styles selected from text or self-help book.
Optional:
View videotape on parenting and discuss main messages. Optional: Assign high school students the task of defining vocabulary words prior to presenting this lesson. Consider requiring students to submit a creative writing sample using each of the vocabulary words. [Challenge students to write a narrative (e.g., paragraphs of related sentences, creative short story, poem, rap, skit) using each word. Select a theme (examples: strengths of single parent families, prevention of child abuse, etc.) to guide creative writing.] As an alternative activity, students may illustrate and describe the vocabulary words using a storyboard or photo book.
Student Activity:
Considering Parenting Styles worksheet
Divide students into cooperative learning groups. Each student will write brief answers to six questions. Then students will share their responses with other members of the group. The worksheet questions consist of the following:
a) Consider your own childhood experiences. What is your fondest childhood memory?
b) What parenting styles were used by your parents?
c) What messages about parenting would you like to tell your father? mother? brother or sister? grandparents? children?
d) What message about parenting would you like to receive from your children, now or in the future?
e) How can you learn more about effective parenting?
f) Name some community resources to assist parents with guidance techniques of children.
Optional Follow-up Activity:
For the next class session, ask students to bring in a list of 3-5 community resources for parenting education and child care.
Assessment:
Observe students' participation in discussions. Check definitions of vocabulary words for accuracy (also check accuracy of vocabulary words used in expository writing samples).