Alternative education models and child development

In the United States a large part of a child’s education is focused on their academic achievement, as measured by standardized exams. As a result American public school curriculums often focus on improving skills associated with high scores on the tests, rather than focusing on other markers of success. Because this model can be incredibly frustrating for students, some parents seek out alternative education approaches in the hopes of nurturing their child’s development and growth.

The Good Student is an alternative school that uses current research on children’s natural development to form curriculums, with the hope of fostering independence and joy for learning. The school provides mixed age classrooms where students are encouraged to work on activities that they enjoy and where they can learn from practice, rather than from instruction. Children’s parents are often invited to join the students throughout the day, in an effort to provide a supportive learning environment that will extend outside of the classroom. In addition, each child is followed extensively (using case study methodology) to learn more about their unique needs and learning styles. Information from three such case studies can be found in Table $1$‍.

Table $1$‍

The school also conducts its own research to improve skill development. In one experiment, the teachers brought in the mothers of half of the children in the program. The children were asked to decide which items of furniture should be placed in particular dollhouses. Half of the children were allowed to play with their mother in a similar situation before the mothers were taken away, while the other half played with the dollhouse alone. All of the children were then asked to attempt the task alone.

What stage of conflict best describes the development of Jane’s behavior?