2. Identity Formation
• One facet of identity is self-concept. Self-concept
comes from:
– Body image
– Cultural and gender identification
• Self-concept is affected by:
– The social environment
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3. Identity Formation
• Self-image is a part of self-concept.
• Self-image is interrelated with body awareness.
• Caregivers should pay attention to children’s
body awareness, including children with physical
disabilities.
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4. Identity Formation
• Attachment
– The basis for high self-esteem is attachment.
– Don’t assume you will naturally attach to every child.
– Learn ways to develop attachment with a child you
don’t immediately “hit it off” with.
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5. Identity Formation and Cultural Identity
• Cultural identity is also part of self-concept.
• The goal of multicultural education is to help
children appreciate many cultures, including their
own.
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6. Identity Formation and Cultural Identity
• What is a multicultural, multilingual infant-toddler
curriculum?
– It is not rotating ethnic foods, music from many
cultures, celebrating holidays, or posting pictures on
the walls.
– It is discussing caregiving practices with parents,
dialoguing about cultural differences, and working
towards resolving conflicts.
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7. Identity Formation and Gender Identity
• Another part of self-concept is gender identity.
– Most children are aware of their gender identity.
– Adults have a profound influence on children’s ideas of
how their gender behaves.
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8. Identity Formation and Gender Identity
• To provide a broad definition of gender roles:
– Treat girls and boys equally.
– Model expanded gender roles.
– Avoid exposing children to messages that teach
narrow gender roles.
– Avoid linking occupations to gender.
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9. Identity Formation and Discipline
• Self-concept and discipline
– The way you guide and manage behavior can affect
children’s feelings about themselves.
– Be persistent when setting and enforcing limits for
children.
– When you enforce limits, avoid shaming, blaming,
belittling, or criticizing children.
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10. Identity Formation and Discipline
• Self-concept and discipline
– Don’t punish or scold
– Define unacceptable behavior
– No single approach works for all children
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11. Identity Formation and Discipline
• Self-concept and discipline
– One effective way to guide behavior is by using
redirection.
How is redirection different
from distraction?
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12. Identity Formation and Behavior
• 6 ways to change behavior in toddlers
– Teach socially acceptable behavior through modeling
– Ignore the behavior you want to see change
– Pay attention to behavior that is socially acceptable
– Restructure the situation
– Prevent harmful behavior from happening
– Redirect the energy when appropriate
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13. Identity Formation and Time Out
• What about time out?
– Time out is controversial.
– Some caregivers use time out because they have no
other methods of guiding behavior.
– Some toddlers may benefit from moving to a quieter
place for a short time.
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14. Identity Formation and Time Out
• Time out should not:
– Be used to confine children for breaking a rule.
– Be used without awareness of cultural notions of
individuality.
• Is time out an extreme form of punishment in the
child’s culture?
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15. Identity Formation and Cultural
Awareness
• Cultural awareness:
– Be aware of perspectives relating to notions of
authority.
– Understand how a culture views inner control vs.
external control.
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16. Identity Formation and You
• Model self-esteem by taking care of yourself.
– Take care of your needs.
– Learn to be assertive when appropriate.
– Learn conflict management.
– Find ways to be proud of the importance of your job.
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18. Online Learning Center
• See Chapter 13 of the text’s Online Learning
Center for chapter quizzes, Theory Into Action
activities, Video Observations, and more.
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