Watch the three videos provided below. These videos demonstrate professional commitment, application of child development and learning theories, developmentally appropriate practice, observation and assessment, and behavior guidance. As you watch each video, take notes and watch them multiple times to prepare to answer questions demonstrating your understanding and critical thinking. You can use the rubric provided to write detailed responses in complete sentences. For full details and the grading rubric, please refer to the attached document.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: The Importance of Applying Child Development Theories in Early Childhood Education
Introduction
In the field of early childhood education, the application of child development theories plays a crucial role in shaping teaching practices and guiding educators in providing high-quality care and education for young learners. Through the analysis of three demonstration videos, this essay aims to highlight the significance of professional commitment, utilization of child development and learning theories, implementation of developmentally appropriate practices, observation and assessment techniques, and effective behavior guidance strategies in early childhood settings.
Thesis Statement
Effective early childhood educators who demonstrate professional commitment, apply child development theories, utilize developmentally appropriate practices, conduct thorough observation and assessment, and employ effective behavior guidance strategies create a nurturing environment that promotes holistic child development.
Professional Commitment
The first video (https://youtu.be/DGls-Z4e6OI) showcases the dedication and passion of an early childhood educator in creating engaging and stimulating learning experiences for children. Professional commitment involves a deep sense of responsibility towards the well-being and growth of each child under one’s care. By investing time and effort into creating a positive learning environment, educators can foster children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.
Application of Child Development Theories
In the second video (https://youtu.be/T9ynlPs_NTM), we see how an educator applies child development theories such as Piaget’s stages of cognitive development or Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory in planning activities that align with children’s developmental needs. Understanding these theories helps educators tailor their teaching approaches to support children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development effectively.
Developmentally Appropriate Practice
The third video (https://youtu.be/btXOc60UQ0Q) demonstrates the use of developmentally appropriate practices that are responsive to children’s individual differences, interests, and developmental levels. By offering activities and materials that are suitable for each child’s age and stage of development, educators can create meaningful learning experiences that promote optimal growth and learning outcomes.
Observation and Assessment
Effective observation and assessment techniques are essential for understanding each child’s unique strengths, challenges, and progress. By closely observing children’s interactions, play preferences, and problem-solving skills, educators can gather valuable insights to inform their teaching practices and provide targeted support where needed.
Behavior Guidance
Lastly, employing positive behavior guidance strategies is vital in creating a safe and respectful learning environment. By setting clear expectations, modeling positive behaviors, and offering consistent support and guidance, educators can help children develop self-regulation skills and cultivate positive social interactions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, early childhood educators who demonstrate professional commitment, apply child development theories, utilize developmentally appropriate practices, conduct thorough observation and assessment, and employ effective behavior guidance strategies play a pivotal role in supporting children’s holistic development. By integrating these key components into their daily practice, educators can create a nurturing environment that fosters children’s growth, curiosity, and love for learning in the crucial early years of their lives.
