PEPSI Screening

Principles of Education Psychology

PEPSI Screening of Vincent Nunez

Giovanna Torres
EDU 220
Professor Hooks
June 26, 2015

PEPSI Screening

PEPSI Screening
Biography
Vincent Nunez is a seven year old male who comes from Hispanic descendants. Vincent
is a second grader, attending Independence elementary school, in the city of South Gate. He
comes from a low income family, striving to live better lives. Vincent lives in a one bedroom
apartment with his mother, father, and two sisters. His mother runs a small thrift store, while his
father works in construction. Vincent hasnt had an easy life, because of his weight, and learning
challenges. For a seven year old, Vincent weighs a little over 85 pounds, which is much higher
than average. He was born with asthma, and struggles to play sports. Vincent was also recently
diagnosed with dyslexia.
In early years, Vincents father struggled with drug abuse, as well as staying out of
trouble with the law. For this period of time, his mother struggled to support their two kids,
working several jobs at a time. With the support of their family, they were never homeless or left
without a meal. During this time, Vincents mother noticed his increased eating habits, and lack
of ambition, but as years went on, things got better. His parents are now doing well, and
contributing to being great parents to their three children. Unfortunately, Vincent still finds
himself struggling to overcome certain obstacles.
Vincents current hobbies include playing football, basketball, video games, fishing with
his dad, and having movie nights with his family. Every year his parents encourage him to sign
up for a sport. He doesnt allow his asthma to be a negative factor in his life. His learning skills
are improving, as his teachers, and parents continue to work with him. Vincent now has a great
mentality, and is very ambitious about his education goals. His parents couldnt be more proud.
Everyone around him wants to see him succeed.

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Physical Development
Vincent comes from a family of overweight and diabetic people, mostly from his fathers
side. Genetic obesity played a big role in his life, as he began to struggle with abnormalities in
his physical size. Being susceptible to diabetes is a big concern, and a risk that can alter his life.
In Physical Development, Forbes (2008) explains, These children face increased risk for bone
and joint problems, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and asthma, in addition
to academic and social discrimination (p.796). Vincent weighs a little over eighty-five pounds,
which is a big concern in itself. As an infant, Vincent also inherited asthma. These factors limit
his abilities to play certain sports, or to keep up with other kids in normal motor skills. In Middle
Childhood Development, Davidson (2011) states, Failure to keep up with peers, fear of failure,
parental pressure to excel, and bullying can have a profound effect on behavior (p.1469).
Despite these negative qualities that play a big role in his life, Vincent does not allow
them to balk him from engaging in his desired sports. Vincent enjoys, and is enthusiastic about
playing football, and basketball when given the opportunity Observing Vincent for two hours,
allowed me to see that he takes interest in learning through tactility. He becomes very interested
in things such as, working with puzzles, drawing, and building things.
Vincents parents are well aware of his health conditions, and are trying to make better
choices for him, to improve his well-being. In the text, Early Childhood: Encyclopedia of human
development, Benson (2005) states, In addition to gender, good nutrition, physical activity, and
health care are leading factors that can promote healthy growth and prevent malnutrition or
obesity (p.420). Vincent looks forward to a healthier lifestyle, and everyone around him
encourage him to stay active and continue to strive for better.

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Emotional Development
Mr. and Mrs. Nunez mentioned that Vincent becomes temperamental when hes upset.
Hes experienced bad interactions with peers at school, and its altered his behavior at home.
Hes prone to acting out without reason. In the text, Educational Psychology: Theory and
Practice, Slavin (2015) states Anger is a common emotion at this age and is displayed with
more intensity than many other emotions (p.63). When he gets upset, he has a hard time
listening to instruction because hes becomes frustrated really fast. Instead of acknowledging his
bad behavior, he tries to justify it. It seems as if he has some issues with fear of being punished,
because he doesnt admit he did anything wrong at the time of discipline.
Vincent has good and bad days. His bad days are becoming rare now that hes getting
older, and learning how to control his emotions. According to the article, Emotional
Development (2004), Emotion regulation is the complex process of appropriately coping with
positive and negative emotions and the situations that elicit these emotions. With the help of his
parents, and teachers, Vincent has developed some emotional skills that allow him to negotiate
successful interactions with others.
Aside from Vincents anger episodes, his mother says that he is a very sensitive person.
He hurts when people close to him hurt, and he hates the thought of his parents or siblings
feeling sad. Hes generally a happy person, and enjoys the company of his family. In The Gale
Encyclopedia of Children's Health: Infancy through Adolescence, Zeman (2011) explains,
Children from families that regularly discuss the complexity of feelings will develop empathy
more readily than those whose families avoid such topics (p.826). Parents become a major
influence on children with development, guiding a child to gain positive emotions rather than
negative ones will boost their confidence in their social development.

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Philosophical Development
Reflecting on behavior, I believe that Vincent understands whats right from wrong. As a
toddler, his parents set an example as to how children are supposed to behave, and for the most
part, hes compliant. In the case that he misbehaves, Vincent can determine how bad the situation
is, and how much trouble he might be getting into. According to Kohlbergs stages of moral
reasoning (1969) in the text Educational Psychology: Theory and Practice (p.54), I believe that
Vincent falls under the preconventional level of morality. He knows that the rules are set down by
his parents, and avoids being punished.
When Vincent finds himself doing something wrong (although hes aware of his
wrongful doing), his intentions are never to upset anyone. In Educational Psychology: Theory
and Practice, it states, 6-to10-year-olds at the stage of heteronomous morality have been shown
to make distinctions between rules that parents are justified in making and enforcing and rules
that are under personal or peer jurisdiction (Keenan & Evans, 2010) (p.55). I find that Vincent
acknowledges his parents authority, but he usually finds himself trying to get away with his
certain wrongful actions.
Some may say that Vincent can be impulsive. The article Ego Development (2004) states,
Rules are seen as specific prohibitions or as frustration of wishes rather than as a system of
social regulation. Vincent relates to this because of how upset becomes while being disciplined.
He especially feels frustration, and embarrassment when regulated in front of others. Overall,
Vincent is an obedient child, who understands that he has to listen to reason before participating
in any wrongful doings. Whether he complies with it or not is up to him, but the knowledge is
there.

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Social Development
Vincent is somewhat of a social person; meaning, he has no trouble making friends, but
he wouldnt be the first to initiate conversation. The text Educational Psychology: Theory and
Practice states, As children enter middle childhood, friendships become more stable and
reciprocal (p.59). Vincents friends are very important to him, he values their respect, and
loyalty. He mentioned that when he goes to school, the only thing he really looks forward to, is
playing with his friends. He said that the friends he has now, are the same ones hes had since the
first grade.
In the article Social Development in Middle Childhood, Sandler (1989) states, The
quests for friendship, popularity, and the avoidance of humiliation at all costs are relentless
campaigns, which may well take precedence over academic stardom or pleasing parents.
Vincent has some academic difficulties, and his parents are concerned that he might be making
his social life more of a priority. Mrs. Nunez mentioned that at home, if hes not playing with
other kids, hes watching television, or playing video games. When she tries to limit his time
with these electronics, he becomes moody, and withdraws from everyone.
In Middle Childhood Development, Davidson (2011) states, School and peer friendships
become central to the child's life (p.1468). From what Mr. and Mrs. Nunez convey, it seems as
if Vincent became more interested in sports only to spend more time with his friends. Hes
already been able to establish who his best friends are. Having friends has helped Vincent build
great self-concept, and self-esteem. Being overweight is a struggle for him, and hes had some
unpleasant encounters with other kids; but having friends makes him feel accepted, and wanted.
He no longer allows himself to pay attention to the mean things kids say to him.

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Intellectual Development
Growing up, Vincent struggled with many milestones. He had a hard time processing
what was being asked of him. Hes also had a delay in speech, which can still a problem for him
at times. In school, Vincent began to struggle with his assignments. He was falling behind, and
failing most of his spelling tests. His parents began to worry. By this time, his teacher had
already began to evaluate him, and refer him to specialists. Specialists found that Vincent had
learning disabilities including dyslexia. In the text, Middle Childhood Development, Davidson
(2011) states, By middle childhood, differences in academic and physical abilities become
apparent, which may add stress to the child's life and cause parental concern. Learning
disabilities such as dyslexia and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may now
become apparent (p.1469).
Vincents parents and teachers came up with an appropriate method to help him out at
school. His parents even hired a tutor to help him at home. The text Educational Psychology:
Theory and Practice (Guay, Marsh, &Boivin, 2003), states, Students who perform poorly in
elementary school are at risk for developing poor academic self-concepts and subsequent poor
performance in upper elementary and secondary school (p.58). With the appropriate education,
Vincent can accomplish getting higher scores.
Although these challenges can be a setback, according to his parents, he has improved a
lot with the help they have given him. They mentioned that when understands an assignment, he
gets into it. He finds joy in doing good work, and is very responsible. His language skills are
improving little by little as well. According to the text, Educational Psychology: Theory and
Practice (2008), students from second grade onward are increasingly focused on building
comprehension, vocabulary, and study skills (p.45). His goal is to keep up with his classmates.

PEPSI Screening

PEPSI CHART SHOWING VINCENT'S

PROFILE

Age Norm

Physical

Emotional

Philosophical

Social

Intellectal

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Recommendations for the Parents

My recommendation for Vincents physical development is to keep him engaged in
physical activities. I would also advise that the parents keep him on a strict, and healthy diet to
prevent him from inheriting diabetes. Vincent seems like he enjoys playing sports; make sure he
takes breaks and drinks a lot of water to prevent him from getting tired so easily.
My recommendation for Vincents emotional development is to regularly discuss the
complexity of feelings that will help develop empathy. Put a stop to his temper tantrums, because
they will only get worse as he gets older. Get him to talk about the anger he feels, and why. I
know hes had a rough childhood with his fathers history, maybe some therapy can help. Find a
way to make his bad days better by engaging in family activities.
My recommendation for Vincents philosophical development is to continue to reason
with him when hes being disciplined so that he continues to obey the rules. When Vincent
misbehaves, take him into an empty room and talk with him, instead of disciplining him in front
of others, causing him to get upset and embarrassed. This way, you have his full attention, and
can get through to him better.
My recommendation for Vincents social development is to encourage him to continue
making new friends, but to keep focus on his studies as well. Limit his TV, and video game time
to at least one or two hours a day so that he doesnt disconnect from the world. I would also
advise that the parents talk to him about when hes being teased or bullied, so that he knows the
proper way to handle the situation.
Finally, my recommendation for Vincents intellectual development is to continue to
work with him, and inform yourselves about his learning disabilities. Encourage him to continue
to do well in school, and reward him for his hard work. Let him know how proud you are.

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Reference Page
Benson, J. B. (2006). Early Childhood. In N. J. Salkind (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Human
Development (Vol. 1, pp. 419-425). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

Davidson, T. (2011). Middle Childhood Development. In J. L. Longe (Ed.), The Gale

Encyclopedia of Children's Health (2nd ed., Vol. 3, pp. 1468-1470). Detroit: Gale.

Ego development. (2004). In W. Craighead and C. Nemeroff (Eds.), The Concise Corsini
encyclopedia of psychology and behavioral science. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Emotional development. (2004). In W. Craighead and C. Nemeroff (Eds.), The Concise

Corsini encyclopedia of psychology and behavioral science. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Forbes, S. A. (2008). Physical Development. In N. J. Salkind & K. Rasmussen (Eds.),

Encyclopedia of Educational Psychology (Vol. 2, pp. 792-798). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE
Publications.

Sandler, A., M.D. (1989). Social development in middle childhood. Pediatric

Annals, 18(6), 380-384,386-387.

Slavin, Robert E. (2015). Social, Moral, and Emotional Development. In G. Gottfried

(Ed.), Educational Psychology: Theory and Practice (pp.29-47). New Jersey: Pearson Education
Inc.

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Slavin, Robert E. (2015). Social, Moral, and Emotional Development. In G. Gottfried

(Ed.), Educational Psychology: Theory and Practice (pp.48-67). New Jersey: Pearson Education
Inc.

Zeman, J., & Davidson, T. (2011). Emotional Development. In J. L. Longe (Ed.), The
Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health (2nd ed., Vol. 2, pp. 823-828). Detroit: Gale.