The Social Bond Theory ~ Examples and Benefits for Children

One key element of the Social Bond Theory is the attachment theory, which can avoid discrimination among children by allowing them to learn about each other, their similarities, their differences, and what makes each person unique. I would include an activity in which children learn more about themselves, their peers, and different cultures. When children find things in common, they quickly form bonds. For example, a Puerto Rican child and an African American child may look different on the outside and come from different backgrounds, but they may like the same video games, comic books, and movies. Finding a common ground between children gives them something to talk about and play together, therefore, they form friendships. An activity to help the children get to know each other and go beyond the outside of a person could be role playing. Children pair up together and have to learn as much as they can about the other child; they have to visit their homes, their families, and learn about their cultures. When it is time to put the skit together, they each have to play out a bad situation (for example, being bullied or teased) and a good situation in the other person's life. In other words, they have to put themselves in the other child's life.

The audience can ask each child about the other; likes, dislikes, hobbies, family life, etc. The team of role players that learns the most about the other and works best together (voted on by peers) once a month earns a gift card to WalMart or another local store for $50.00 each. This gives an incentive to get to understand and know each other better.

The second program I would form would be like a "Student Council" or government. These children, voted by staff members at 6-month increments based on the child's behavior and progress, will gather with the staff to form certain rules they feel need to be written, addressed, or modified for the entire center in order to ensure children have a great experience; safe, fun, and educational. Different activities they would like to have, such as homework tutors, guest speakers, street patrol, and fire safety could be discussed at the meetings. Toward the end of the 6-month term, all of the students will hold votes, giving the children on the student council a sense of commitment, which is another element of the social theory , and it will give ALL of the children a feeling that they are able to help make decisions.

In order to involve al of the children in the community and make sure that no one feels as though they are "insignificant," every Friday, a student is chosen to be "Star of the Week." This is done by every child's name being placed in a hat. Each child can only win once throughout a rotation. Then, come Monday, the "Star of the Week" has to make some big decisions. On Mondays, as an ice breaker, the student gets to choose which sport he or she wants to play, and everyone plays it. On Tuesdays, the child picks some place in the community that needs work, whether it be painting a storefront, picking up trash, visiting a nursing home, etc. This makes him or her feel that because of them, everyone in their group was able to make a difference. Wednesdays, that child can pick an educational activity, including spelling bees, math-a-thons, or jeopardy. The kids split into groups and compete. On Thursdays, the winners of each group face challenges until there is only one player left. That player wins a pass to the movie theater for his whole family. On Friday, the child picks what kind of snack he wants for his group and receives a special award from the mayor for a job well done while organizing Tuesday's "community activity."
Lastly, every child has to have something to believe in. They also need an education. If every child brings something they learned that day at school (to break the ice each day) and comments as to whether they believe it or not and why, everyone will learn something and is able to form beliefs. They will also learn to respect people who do not always believe what he or she believes. The teachers can bring something that they know too, such as religion or history, to share with the group. The children will understand that although everyone's beliefs are different, there is no such thing as being wrong when it comes to believing.

Children need to understand that everyone is unique and also the same. We need to point out to them some of the beliefs the community is trying to adapt, such as stealing is wrong and education leads to success. I had an interesting time writing this paper and have learned a lot from the various websites that I visited, which are listed below.