PEPSI Project:

Jeremiah Banks

Jaleel Hart

Education 220

Professor Hooks

Biography

The student I’m studying is named Jeremiah Banks. Jeremiah is a

5th grade student from Detroit, Michigan. He relocated to Las

Vegas, NV at the age of 2 and has been here ever since. He is 11

years old. He’s a light skinned black male. His birthday is

October 17th, 2005. The youngest kid of six, he has five older

brothers. All ages range from 14-24 years of age. He’s an

extrovert, very friendly and upbeat. Meeting and greeting people

as frequently as possible. He’s 5’3” and weighs 83 pounds. He’s

grown up in a house with both parents his whole life. He lives

an upper middle class lifestyle. Has never had to worry about

the necessary living necessities being stripped away from him.

His major hobbies include watching Youtube videos, going outside

to play with the neighborhood kids and playing video games. He

doesn’t play any sports or watch them. He spends most of his

time watching Youtube videos. Averaging about 4 hours on school

days and up to 8 on weekends. He attends Kay Karl elementary

school. Riding the bus to school every morning with his niece.

His mother has a full time job while his father is a stay at

home dad. His favorite music is dub-step. He’s 11 in the 5th

grade because his late birthday. He was ineligible to join the

proper grade because of the cut off date.

Physical Development

At the age of 11 years old Jeremiah Banks stands at a whopping

5’3 inches (64.5”, 163.8 cm). The average height of an 11 year

old male is 56.5” (123.5 cm). This means he’s advanced in height
department for an 11 year old (National Institutes of Health,

USA, 2016). His shoe size is an 8.5 which according to

shoesize.com is around the average. Their input says the average

is about 7 or 8. Jeremiah weighs 83 pounds. The average 11 year

old boy would be around 55 inches tall and weigh around 80

pounds (Sears, William Dr., 2016). He is on track with his

weight for his age. At his age this is where early maturing boys

would start to develop acne or you would notice a slight voice

change. His growth spurt has begun. I believe at this rate he’ll

surpass 6’ easily. His arms are very long. Almost too long to

look even with his body. The food he consumes on a daily basis

varies. He almost gets a fully home-cooked meal everyday. I

would average it out to about 4 times a week at the very least.

Fruits and veggies are not at the forefront of these meals.

Processed foods are provided for daily consumption which can

also hinder growth. He is very energetic and bouncy. His

aspirations for educational achievement don’t seem high at this

moment. (Snowman, J. McCown, Rick. 2015) Homework can be a chore

in most instances. A struggle is often made aware until he must

accomplish his set goals. Based upon these actions I would say

he is a late-maturing boy.(Snowman, J. McCown, Rick. 2015)

Emotional Development
During Jeremiah’s age adolescents start to experience a wide

range of emotions. Both positive and negative. He seems to

always be in a good mood. The only time I see him taken back is

around the same situation kids around his age would. This

usually ranges from getting in trouble, not getting his way,

etc. His friend, London, often comes over and you start to see a

change in behavior ever so lightly. This is expected, as we all

change depending on who we come in contact with. Outside of

London he doesn’t really talk to his brothers on a more in depth

level. It’s usually that they’re lost around each other. Not

really asking about him or watching out for his emotional needs

or concerns as a child. It’s more common for 10 year old’s to

prefer friendships with children of their own gender.

Experiencing a natural need to have some distance from parents

and family. Gravitating towards more social activities with

their peers (Lee, Katherine. 2016). Outside of hanging with his

peers he’s usually alone. Middle school students are typically

self conscious and self centered in the sense of always worrying

about his needs being met. This can range from the time work

must be done, what time he eats, how loud he is at times. When

hanging with his peers of his own age he often examines the

rules of fairness. Whether how many turns somebody gets, playing

games, joking around. This often happens around the age 11-13

(Tennessee Children’s Cabinet, 2016).

Philosophical Development

Around age 11 is when attitudes in children start to change.

Jeremiah’s attitude can do some fluctuation, but it doesn’t

often. For the most part he’s a happy go lucky young boy.

Jeremiah does exhibit difficulties with staying in one place and

completing a task. I don’t believe he has a learning disability.

Although many students with learning disabilities have

difficulty with attention and impulse control: focusing on a

task, noticing important cues and ideas, and staying with a task

until completed (Snowman, J., McCown, R. 2015). I believe as

we’ve entered an age with advancements in technology the

attention span of our youth has become much shorter. If there’s

a way to keep him focused on the task whether the way it’s

relatable or if he can be more hands on he is much more

successful. He doesn’t qualify for any of the reasons stated of

having a learning disability. When magnifies on a greater level.

Around this age you also start to learn ways to cope with

rejection, fear, and frustration (Tennessee Children’s Cabinet,

2016). Jeremiah is starting to exhibit behaviors to better

assist him in certain stages, but also looks like he’s learning

to make the decisions to put him on the pathway to success in

others. When it comes to his frustrations he deals with them in

a series of ways. Depending on the severity of the situation in

his eyes. His emotions and actions range from small to large

outbursts, slamming of items, talking himself through what just

happened to make sense out of it, or going onto his phone. When

faced with rejection I often observe him continuing to do the

same thing as he was doing before trying his way to get his

point across until the other party chooses to do something

extreme. I haven’t observed him really fearing anything. Around

this age often children learn to show empathy and learn that if

they produce the right actions, then their way will be

manifested going forward (Snowman, J., McCown, R. 2016).

I’ve observed with Jeremiah he’s learned empathy with women in

general and his younger peers. When dealing with the opposite he

is a really nice guy, unless they are playing a game and his

competitive nature is therefore awaken. Talking to his mother

and nieces he displays nice manners and concerns for their well

being. He’s learned that if he gets good grades or does his

chores that praise recognition and rewards insue. This is a

motivating factor from the perspective of getting good grades on

his accord. The other two fluctuate for the most part.

Around this age children start to become more sensitive to the

emotions of others (Raising Children Network (Australia), 2016).

When he makes someone feel different around him he starts to

change his behavior. It appears he wants everything to be cool

with everyone. If someone becomes mad he understands what he’s

done and usually changes his action to result in a preferable

outcome.

Social Development

Interpersonal reason and conforming to your peers are on the

forefront for the average 11 year old. For Jeremiah the

interpersonal reasoning is starting to develop (Snowman, J.,

McCown, R. 2016). In my studies I’ve observed when dealing with

his older brothers he’s starting to understand the motives

behind why they would do what they do to him. For example, if

one of his brothers tells his parents what he is doing his

reasoning can range. This can stem from the older brother not

getting the results he wanted, looking out for his general self,

or simply acting irrationally. When these problems occur I’ve

noticed an outburst displaying why he feels his older brother is

doing this to him. Sometimes he tells his parents himself, or

storms off to another area in the home. When it comes to

conforming to his peers I’ve noticed this is becoming more and

more apparent as time advances. When his peers come over to the

house I often see the way they interact with each other.

Something he’s not interested in for instance suddenly has more

value when someone he likes introduces to him. I have noticed

the types of games he plays has changed. He went from playing

the video games his older brothers and father played more of the
games of the people in his age group plays. He often watched the

same Youtube channels as his friend also. The actions he

exhibits when his peers are around tend to differ depending on

the age group. If his older brother has company he tends to act

a bit older to conform the crowd he looks to gain acceptance

from.

Around age 11 children must learn to successfully share space

with others, regulate his own reactions, and adapt to various

environments (PhD Anthony, Michelle. 2016). Sharing space with

others in a primitive setting for Jeremiah. At times like when

at the dinner table or on the couch he can share space with

others. When in the family room playing video games or coming

into your room without knocking leaves room for improvement.

Regulating his own reactions aren’t really a strong suit of his.

Very bouncy and energetic. Often times very loud without direct

reasoning. Adapting to different environments would be his

strongest out of the three. He often is a people person. Talking

and interacting with everyone he encounters. Very open about

himself and liking to be in the middle of the action.

Friendships are often kept through sharing the same interest

(Fundamentally Children, 2016). Jeremiah’s friendships with

previous peers are based on this statement. He may not see them

as much as he likes, but through shared music, games, and shared

video watching it allows his relationship to remain. I’ve

observed this through some of his friends such as Jackson and

Bubba.

Intellectual Development

Around age 11 the role of self efficacy becomes an important

influence on intellectual and social behavior (Snowman, J.,

McCown, R. 2016) For Jeremiah he has a high self efficacy when

it comes to certain extra curricular activities. When he is

playing video games, working, with his phone, skating, playing

games with his friends, or helping mom cook in the kitchen he

displays loads of confidence. He knows with time he can get

better at these actions and persists even though the toughest of

times. On the contrary when he is doing his schoolwork or doing

chores he displays a lower level of self efficacy. With

schoolwork it can be moderate at times. He’s moderate when it

comes to English works, relatively easy math and short reading.

Outside of those lines it can be somewhat of a hassle to get him

to begin and finish his work. Confidence isn’t as high. Children

at this age are able to demonstrate abstract thinking. For

example understanding love and justice, shades of grey, and

organization skills (PhD Anthony, Michelle. 2016). Jeremiah is

starting to understand love a bit more in depth. I’ve monitored

when he says it. I’ve never seen him organizing any objects. His

rooms stays relatively together. He is developing a broader

understanding of justice. He understands when things aren’t fair

and he’s quick to let everyone know. Any step past that hasn’t

been calculated. Memory and attention capacity is increasing

further. Perseverance and concentration skills should develop

through single focused activities (Fundamentally Children,

2016).

In Jeremiah’s case I would say everything is about where it

needs to be to begin further development. There aren’t any

strong signs of advancements to put him at the lead of the pact

pf at the far end trailing. Further research should be taken to

monitor his actions overtime.

Recommendations

Physical Development - The first recommendation I have for

Jeremiah is for his parents and revolves around the consumption

of food. I would say he needs to have more access to fruits and

veggies. These are necessary for proper growth and brain

functions. Also to make sure his meals are more balanced in

general. Making sure his 3 square meals a day are consumed. My

next recommendation would be to make sure he gets enough sleep.

Sometimes it can vary depending on the day.

Emotional Development - My only recommendation for Jeremiah’s

emotional development would be issued to his parents. This is to

get more support from his older brothers and parents. Sometimes
because of the fact he is a baby he is often forgotten about or

treated a little bit too nicely. Allowing special treatment that

can later alter his world with the wrong perceptions from other

outside of family. To make sure he has the correct support when

he does through his trials he will start to begin at this age

group.

Philosophical Development - My recommendation for the teachers

would be to get Jeremiah in a tutoring program. To learn it is

essential to be able to sit down and observe a direct lesson and

hence apply what you’ve learned. As school advances this will

only become more apparent. My next suggestion would be to find

more ways to control his anger. Find more calm ways to express

himself so that in his adult years it doesn’t become a major

problem.

Social Development - My recommendation for his parents would be

to allow Jeremiah to hang around different groups of kids. I

believe this will further assist his social development. Knowing

his true feelings and understand the feelings of other kids a

bit more in depthly than the kids he’s around today. Allow him

to join a group of some sort of a sport. It will allow him to

grow socially learning the dynamics of self control, regulation,

sharing space, etc.

Intellectual Development - My recommendation for the parents and

teachers would be to narrow down Jeremiah’s academic choices of

interest and work with him to find programs to advance. Whether

that be tutoring, or groups, computer games. Also allow his

intellectual uniqueness shine, so he’ll feel more comfortable

with who he is.

Reference Page

(American Medical Association, 2001)

http://www.pamf.org/parenting-teens/health/growth-development/pre-growth.html

(Halls, Steven. 1999)

http://halls.md/chart/boys-height-b.htm

https://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/height-weight-teens.shtml
The World Health Organization (WHO), Gerontology Research Center (National
Institutes of Health, USA), and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC).

(Sear, William Dr. 2016) http://www.parenting.com/article/ask-dr-sears-too-short-

and-heavy

(Tennessee Children’s Cabinet, 2016.)

https://www.kidcentraltn.com/article/social-and-emotional-development-ages-11-
13

(Lee, Katherine. 2016)

https://www.verywell.com/10-year-olds-and-social-development-621088

Snowman, J. McCown, Rick. 2016 (Psychology Applied to Teaching)

(Raising Children, 2014)

http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/social_and_emotional_development_teenage
rs.html/context/1153
https://www.kidcentraltn.com/article/social-and-emotional-development-ages-11-
13

(Anthony, Michelle, 2016)

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/stages-milestones/social-
development-11-13-year-olds

(Fundamentally Children, 2016)

http://www.fundamentallychildren.com/child-development-advice-including-
special-needs/child-development-by-age/11-year-olds/