In this activity, students will apply two foundational frameworksecological systems theory and attachment theoryto understand a childs social environment and relational needs. After watching two brief videos, students will create a visual ecosystem map for a fictional child and reflect on how social workers engage across systems in ways that are both ethically informed and relationally sensitive.
First, watch these two videos:
Next review the child’s profile:
- Name: Malik Johnson
- Age: 6 years old
- Grade: Kindergarten
- Gender: Male
- Race/Ethnicity: African American
- Language: English (primary), exposure to some Spanish at school
- Community: Urban neighborhood in a mid-sized city
Family & Home Environment
Malik lives with his maternal grandmother, who became his legal guardian one year ago after his mother was incarcerated on drug-related charges. His father is not involved and has been absent for several years. Malik also lives with his teenage aunt (age 17), who helps care for him after school. The household is loving but financially strained. Maliks grandmother works full-time as a home health aide and receives some public assistance.
Behavior and Development
Malik is very talkative and energetic at home but struggles with transitions and following directions at school. His teacher reports that he often becomes upset when routines change or when hes corrected. He sometimes pushes other children during play and has difficulty sharing. During morning drop-off, Malik often clings to his caregiver and has recently begun complaining of stomachaches before school.
At home, Malik sleeps with the light on and sometimes asks if his mother is coming back soon. Hes had a few nighttime accidents, which are new. His grandmother reports that Malik is sweet, but sensitive, and that he sometimes seems on edge.
School and Community Context
Malik attends a local public school and is in a general education classroom. His school has a part-time social worker and school counselor. Maliks teacher has recommended a behavioral support plan, and the school is beginning to assess whether he may need additional services. Malik receives free lunch and participates in an after-school program at the community center two days a week.
The neighborhood has high rates of poverty and some gang activity. There is a small library and a well-loved local church where Malik occasionally attends services with his grandmother.
Next create an ecological map that illustrates the key systems in the childs life (microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem). You may hand-draw or use a digital tool. Also include a brief written reflection (approximately 250-500 words) in response to the following questions:
- What roles might a social worker play in the child’s life across these systems?
- How might the competing needs of the child create tension in the social worker’s approach to their role(s)?
- Reflect on how a child’s attachment style might affect their ability to trust and engage with a social worker. How might your approach differ when working with children with insecure or disorganized attachment histories?
Your submission will be a Word or PDF document, or may be two separate files, depending on how you format. Exemplary work will cite the textbook in addition to the required videos.