Changing your practice based on an analysis of your practice in light of psychological research and theory: Educational Psychology, Case Study, TCD, Ireland

Can you help me write this assignment, I have completed a three – week placement with preschool-aged children in Limerick City. I must address the 6 following sections in the assignment. This is about changing your practice based on an analysis of your practice in light of psychological research and theory. Your reflections, analysis and suggestions for improvement should reflect psychological theory and principles.

Section A: Psychological Reflection

 (i) Motivation Use the following prompt questions to guide you in this analysis. 

1. Consider Motivation Theory in the context of practice in this setting… to what degree are children’s psychological needs met…(consider reading) Be specific… demonstrate your understanding of the theory. 
2. Reflect on one of the following theories/concepts in the context of practice in the setting: self-efficacy, goal orientation theory, mind-set, expectancy-value theory…. • Make suggestions for improvements in practice in light of your analysis and psychological theory 

Section B: Psychological Reflection & Analysis

(ii) Relationships Critically examine your relationship with the children in the setting and with children who presented with difficult behavior in particular. Use the following prompt questions to guide you in this analysis. 

1. Reflect on your relationship with the children/child using theory discussed in lectures…think about Pianta’s Model, Attunement etc. Make suggestions for improvements in practice in light of your analysis and psychological theory Section 

C: Psychological Reflection & Analysis 

(iii) Scaffolding Positive Behaviour – 

Structure Analyse the type and level of structure within the classroom environment and consider how this may have influenced the behaviour of the children.

Make suggestions for improvements in light of your analysis and psychological theory Section 

D: Psychological Reflection & Analysis

 (iv) Scaffolding Positive Behaviour – Boundaries, 

Expectations Examine how the boundaries/rules and contingency systems within the classroom environment may influence behaviour.  Use the following prompt questions to guide you in this analysis. You do not need to address all the bullets points below. These are merely prompt questions.

1. Analyse the rules and expectations for behaviour as a scaffold for behaviour in the setting in light of lecture notes? Analyse what happened if rules were broken…. (Consequences? Punishment?) Did this work? Give a reason for your answer based on psychological theory? 
2. Analyse the use of operant conditioning as a scaffold for behaviour in the setting…. (punishment, non-verbal praise, verbal praise, rewards etc.) Was it theoretically appropriate in terms of how it way applied? Justify your answer in light of psychological theory…. 

• Make suggestions for improvements in light of your analysis and psychological theory Section 

E: Psychological Reflection & Analysis 

(iv) Teaching Social & Emotional Skills Examine the degree to which you promoted and supported peer friendships and used strategies to support behavioural self-regulation. 

• Make suggestions for improvements in light of your analysis and psychological theory Section 

F: Responding to Behavioural Challenges 

1. Was a contingency system used– if so was it psychologically sound in terms of design? Was it used effectively to scaffold behaviour towards independence or was it a means of behaviour control? 
2. Reflect on a situation where you had to respond to a behavioural challenge 
3. Analyse your response in light of psychological theory…. 

• Indicate lessons learned in light of this analysis and make suggestions for how you might respond to such challenges in future.