1500 Word Autobiography

** Review each of the items below and check if you have completed each of them:

Kolb’s Model

Below is a description of Kolb’s Model. All experiential essays must be written following Kolb’s Model. Below you will find the four sections of Kolb’s Model, a brief description of the section, and a sample of how that section should be addressed. The samples are pulled from the sample essay found on the PLA website, and it is recommended that you review the sample essay for a more complete example of how to write an experiential essay in Kolb’s Model. The words on this page do not count toward the essay length requirement.

1. Description of Concrete Experience

Description: Concrete experience represents your personal participation with the people, places, activities, and events of an experience. You should describe your involvement relative to the experience, demonstrating the opportunity for learning.

Sample : My career in public relations started off as a staff assistant in the Public Information Office of a community college system. After two years of on-the-job training, I was promoted to the position of community relations officer.

2. Reflections

Description: Reflections represent your thinking and processing relative to the experience. You should demonstrate your learning by describing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes developed through the reflective process.

Sample : I have observed that some organizations are very good at garnering free publicity. They appear at local events and frequently appear as experts in television and newspaper interviews.

3. Generalizations/Principles/Theories

Description: Generalizations, principles, and theories are constructs that organize and guide academic learning. A typical college course is built around several such generalizations, principles, and/or theories.

In this stage, you identify and describe the generalizations, principles, and/or theories to demonstrate your learning outcomes. These learning outcomes result from analyzing and reflecting on your experience. The generalizations, principles, and/or theories should be comparable to those addressed in typical college courses and should match the course description selected.

Sample : Whether working with large or small one-owner organizations, it makes no difference in establishing rules, guidelines, or policies regarding image and public relations. Developing a detailed plan of action makes it much easier to schedule and implement appropriate applicable strategies.

4. Testing and Application

Description: Testing and/or application represent situations in which the new learning can be used. You should describe how you did, or could in the future, test and/or apply what you learned.

Sample : A fun promotional idea that emerged as a by-product profit center for the bookstore was t-shirts. We printed t-shirts with the bookstore logo on the back with advertisements for the bookstore on the front.

Enter your name, the date, your IRN, and the approved essay title of the essay topic you have chosen from the PLA website. When you are ready to begin writing the essay, type out the essay subtopics as they appear in the essay course description, and follow the four steps of Kolb’s model.

Describe the experiences that taught you about the subtopic, reflect on that experience, explain the principles learned, and then explain how those principles were tested and applied. You are then ready to move on to the next subtopic. Follow this process until you meet the length requirement, and have addressed all required subtopics. *Word count begins at the first subtopic.

Subtopic (1): Discuss the development of parenting skills

Description of Concrete Experience: Parenting is critical when it comes to the development and growth of children. Parents are very crucial in the lives of their children. Having the necessary parenting skills is therefore essential in ensuring that the life cycle of children has been successful. There are various stages which are involved in developing parenting skills. Mostly this occurs to first time parents who have to learn how to deal with their kids. According to Kolb, the first step is the concrete experience. This is a stage where the parent can learn through engaging in parenting activities. This is where a parent will experience what being a father or a mother means. They will have to deal with their children. The participation in parenting helps in developing parenting skills.

Reflections: When the parents are involved in bringing their children up, they learn how to love them, how to discipline their kids, how to direct them and how to teach them what is good and what is bad. There are many mistakes during the concrete experience, but one finally learns. This is a point where the parents start to ponder on the experience they have had with parenting. Reflective observation helps a parent to be able to observe the parenting environment from different perspectives before making any judgment. This helps one to be able to understand things more clearly, and also it helps one to see more clearly what they could have done.

Generalizations, Principles, and Theories: There is also the stage of conceptualization when generalizations, principles, and theories are developed. This occurs after deep reflection has been done and one then makes a logical analysis of ideas which have been designed. This analysis helps one to form a hypothesis and principles regarding parenting. One is therefore able to make a rational analysis of the necessary parenting skills which will influence the lives of their kids positively.

Testing and Application: The last stage is active experimentation where one puts into action the principle and theories which have been developing. This is the point where the methods of parenting skills are tested. The new capabilities learned, designed and created are put to the test, and they are applied in real parenting life. This is how parenting skills are developed. Leaning is a process which occurs over time.

Subtopic (2): Parental values and attitudes that accompany stages in the development of the child

Description of Concrete Experience: There are various parental values and attitudes which children learn and adapt as they grow. Parents are the primary teachers of their children. As indicated earlier, children can learn more from their surrounding and also from their parents. The first parenting value is that of trust. Children develop confidence with their parents when they are young. This makes them believe that everything that their parents do or say is the right thing. This makes children depend on their parents. There is a bond between parents and their children.

During their early days, kids will only trust their parents, and they will just rely on their parents to provide for them and also to protect them from any harm. The level of trust, therefore, affects the development of a child. Research has indicated that when kids are not able to trust at their early days, they might have trust issues during their adult life. As the children believe their parents, they are also able to share with their parents the various problems and challenges they face in life as they grow up. This gives the parents an opportunity to provide counsel to their kids and also to provide direction which will lead to good behavior. Trust is, therefore, a principal parenting value for children growth and development.

Reflections: As these kids grow, the values change, and they need to be taught how to be honest, how to have integrity, be responsible and accountable for their actions. Parents are expected to be responsible and liable. Responsibility means that the parents understand that they are supposed to provide for their children, and they are supposed to take care of the needs of their children. Responsibility is one of the critical values of parenting which affects the development of a child in a significant way. Most parents learn how to be responsible when they get their first child through experience. They then reflect on the various challenges they have faced and the decisions they have made. The parents then decide on the best way to remain responsive to their children. Then, parents can put into practice the principles of responsibility that they have been able to develop relating to parenting.

Generalizations, Principles, and Theories: Children consider their parents as role models, and they will do what their parents are doing. Parents, therefore, has to ensure that the values they exhibit are values which will lead to ethical behavior. As children develop, they can relate to and understand the various actions and attitudes which are shown by their parents and also the society. This is the reason why the environment in which a child is brought in is said to affect them most. Parents should, therefore, have values and attitudes about life which will have a positive impact on their children. There are some attitudes which teach children to be positive and to face life with courage and confidence. These attitudes help a child to grow and to develop and advance in life. For example, when a parent is always positive about life, and they are remaining optimistic that the problems facing them will come to an end, the children are taught to have the same attitude towards life. This makes one keen to meet challenges and problems in life.

Testing and Application: When children develop to become teenagers, they need to learn values of hard work, making decisions and also to remain responsible. Kids, therefore, determine values through observation and they later implement those values and attitudes as they advance in years. Learning through observation and experiencing their parents and guardians apply these values in real life is a way which ensures that one has been able to look at life differently. Parenting values will, therefore, accompany the different stages of childhood development. It is, therefore, necessary for parents to be aware of the parental values and attitudes which will positively affect their children. Parents are supposed to ensure that they have been able to give the best for their children. This is because the children are the leaders of the society and they are also expected to be a future generation.

Subtopic (3): Methods of Effective Guidance

Description of Concrete Experience: Children need guidance so that they can be able to develop behavior which is ethical and also develop values and attitudes which are helpful in their lives. There are various methods which can be used by parents to ensure that adequate guidance has been administered to their children. One of the ways is to provide that rules have been set positively. Children should not be made to see governments as being confident and not forceful. For example, one could tell a child “please walk” instead of saying “don’t try run.” This helps children to be willing to follow the instructions which are given to them. The way a direction or guidance is provided is very critical.

Reflections: Another method is to understand and validate the feelings of the child. When one wants children to line up for biscuits, and some children want to jump others, one could say that “I understand that it’s hard to wait, but even the others are waiting too.” This makes it easy to relate to the children, and hence the guidance offered is easily followed.

Generalizations, Principles, and Theories: When giving instructions and rules, children need to understand why they are not allowed to do some things and why they are required to behave in a certain way. When children feel that they can relate to their parents and guardians, they are included to have their behavior.

Testing and Application: A parent should also reinforce good behavior. This can occur through appreciating a good act. When a child observes the rules and behaves in the right way, they can be bought a candy to show appreciation. In the same manner, the guardian or parent should also be able to punish bad behavior. However, the punishment should not be harsh. Sometimes is also necessary to ignore the non-disruptive inappropriate behavior. Some children believe that the only way they can be able to receive attention is through some action. Once they can earn too much attention through that behavior, they will always behave in the same way to gain attention. Practical guidance is necessary since it allows children to grow in the right direction and they can adapt and learn how to behave ethically, have ethical values and attitudes.

Subtopic (4): The role of discipline; compare and contrast control with punishment

Description of Concrete Experience: Discipline is very critical in the life cycle of a human being. We need training in our daily lives, and we also need to train and teach kids on how to be disciplined. A person who is disciplined can learn by following set rules or codes of conduct, thus allowing them to have structure. For example, children can be taught on how to have discipline in the area of remaining clean. This ensures that children are conscious of washing their hands, cleaning their bodies and providing that they are always clean. The critical thing is that discipline is taught. When one is disciplined, it means that they have been able to learn to follow certain set standards. For example, at school, students are considered to be disciplined when they follow school rules and regulations. Students who listen and follow what their teachers and seniors say are also believed to be disciplined.

One can also have a personal discipline which allows one to follow a specific behavior and also to have some values and attitudes. For example, one can decide that they will be waking up at 6 a.m. to exercise. If one can maintain the process of waking up at the set time, they are therefore said to have self-discipline. There are also those who can discipline themselves to wash their hands before consuming anything. This is also a discipline which is related to hygiene.

Reflections: There is a difference between discipline and punishment, and there are also some similarities. Discipline aims at teaching a person on how they can be able to follow certain standards and observe various principles. This can be done through teaching them, through lecturing, and also through concrete experience. After the concrete experience, one can reflect, make logical analysis and then implement what they have been able to learn. On the other hand, punishment is aimed at inflicting pain. Some parents think punishing their children is the only way to discipline them. Punishment is a way of instilling suffering on a person for their past mistakes. Punishment is also inflicting pain and fear because of the previous mistakes which have been done, with the intention of ensuring that those mistakes have not been repeated. Discipline, on the other hand, does not inflict pain or fear but it aims at changing one’s behavior towards various actions and issues.

Generalizations, Principles, and Theories: However, they are both focused on changing the behavior of a person. Punishment can, however, lead to psychological, physical and emotional torture which can affect the development of a person. This is because there are different ways through which punishment is carried out. There are those parents who are harsh, and they punish their children by beating them. This can cause pain and physical damage. Torture can also lead to emotional trauma. There are those who carry out punishment through denying their children food. Other children are isolated from the rest of the people, and some are rejected their leisure activities.

Testing and Application: All these punishments are aimed at teaching the children a lesson which they are not supposed to forget. Some children, therefore, ensure that they behave in the right way so that they can avoid punishment. Thus, there is a vast difference between punishing people to alter their behavior and teaching one to be disciplined. Parents are urged to focus mainly on discipline. Parents should ensure that children have been able to learn the various acts which are acceptable and the behaviors which are beneficial to one’s life. Control is essential to the success of a person in life and also in a career. For one to have a successful career, they must remain disciplined to complete tasks, year to learn and stay flexible. This is a clear indication that discipline is highly needed in the lives of human beings.

Subtopic (5): Constructive and destructive elements in parenting styles: categories of parenting styles

Description of Concrete Experience: Parents have different styles of bringing up their kids. Some of the parenting styles are destructive while some have constructive elements. The various parenting styles include authoritarian, authoritative, permissive/indulgent, uninvolved parenting. The authoritarian parenting ensures that there are strict rules which have been set and they must be followed. One of the destructive components of this style is that communication is usually one way. This means that the parent sets the rules and they communicate these rules to the child. The child is not supposed to argue or complain about the set rules. They are only expected to follow the rules and not to complain about them. Authoritarian parenting also does not take the feelings of the child into account. This means that the parents have no time to understand their children and understand what they need. Parents act as if they know what the best for their child is. The breaking of rules has severe consequences and punishment is part of parenting with authoritarian parents.

Reflections: There is also the authoritative parenting where parents are reasonable. In this style, the constructive element is that the parent can set rules and they are also able to explain the reason why kids have to follow those rules. This means that the rules which are set by the parents take the feelings, emotions, and welfare of the child into account. There are also cases where rewarding positive behavior is done. This occurs where children behave and act according to the rules, and they impress their parents.

Generalizations, Principles, and Theories: Parents also ensure that they have encouraged their children and they have been able to spend time with them. Providing that one has been able to spend time together with their kids is a valuable component of authoritative parenting style. Expectations are high but they are always well stated, and direction is given. Reliable is, therefore, a preferred parenting style as it ensures that kids grow when they are courageous, brave and disciplined.

Testing and Application: There is also the permissive parenting where parents usually let their kids do what they want. This is dangerous since the child can lack direction. Parents depend on the judgment of their children. In most cases, parents who are permissive don’t want to annoy their children. They allow them to do whatever they want. Rules might be set but not followed. Parents are not keen on enforcing the rules. They expect their children to know what is best for their lives. There is also the uninvolved parenting where a parent does not get involved in the activities and life of their children which can hurt the growth of the kid. This kind of parenting is the worst. It means that the parents are not interested in the behavior of their children. Uninvolved parents are not aware of what decisions their children make and what actions they take. This makes children grow without direction and with no one to look up into. The children have too much freedom which is easily misused.

Subtopic (6): Challenges to responsible and effective parenting

Description of Concrete Experience: There are various challenges to parenting. One of the main problems is having a non-conducive environment to the development of the children. Children can learn from their peers and also from the society members. There are some communities where children are influenced by their peers to join some gangs and also to engage in some behaviors which are unethical.

Reflections: There is also a case where some of the children are rebellious, and they are not ready to listen to their parents. Peer pressure is one of the circumstances which lead to rebellion. This mostly occurs when a child is moving to early adulthood which is during adolescent stage. Most parents have a hard time ensuring that their children remain discipline. Some are influenced negatively, and they are also engaged in substance abuse.

Generalizations, Principles, and Theories: Another challenge is lack of time. Some parents lack time to be with their kids. The economic environment in the society has created this challenge. Parents have to work hard to ensure that they have provided for their children and also for the whole family. As a result, most parents are unable to balance their work and their personal and family life. As a result, they are unable to learn what their kids want hence they are unable to guide and direct their children adequately.

Testing and Application: Parenting is therefore sometimes hard, but it’s possible to bring up kids in the right way. Parents should ensure that they have been able to learn through experience. They should then reflect on the experience they have had with their kids. This helps them to develop various theories and principles which can be used in the actual upbringing of these children. After forming the logical conclusions, they then test and experiment with their ideas. This process ensures that children have grown in the right way.

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