Imagine a young child, let’s call her Lily, who loves to explore her backyard. She spends hours playing with her dog, digging in the garden, and watching the birds in the trees. At home, her parents encourage her curiosity, and at preschool, her teachers provide her with books and activities that feed her growing love of nature. But what happens when Lily’s family moves to a new city where her backyard is replaced by a small apartment with no garden? How might this change affect her development? This scenario is a perfect example of how a child’s environment, or ecology, influences their growth—a concept at the heart of Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory.
Who is Urie Bronfenbrenner?
Urie Bronfenbrenner (1917-2005) was a Russian-American psychologist who influenced the field of developmental psychology and early childhood education and care. He is best known for his Ecological Systems Theory, which has become a cornerstone in understanding human development. Bronfenbrenner’s work shifted the focus from looking at child development solely from within the child (such as their biology and psychology) to considering the broader environmental contexts that influence growth and behaviour. In other words, he combined the importance of both nature and nurture in his ecological systems theory.
How Did He Come Up With His Ideas?
Bronfenbrenner’s ideas were shaped by his diverse background and experiences. He was born in Russia and moved to the United States as a child. His early exposure to different cultures and educational systems likely contributed to his interest in how environmental factors impact development. Over his career, Bronfenbrenner noticed that traditional psychological studies focused too narrowly on individuals, often ignoring the broader environmental influences. This observation led him to develop the Ecological Systems Theory, which emphasises the importance of understanding a child’s development in the context of the different systems they interact with.
Understanding Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory
Bronfenbrenner’s theory is often compared to babushka dolls or nested dolls, where each smaller doll is nestled within a larger one. His theory describes different layers of environmental influence, each nested within the next:
- Microsystem: The smallest doll, representing the immediate surroundings (family, school).
- Mesosystem: The interactions between these immediate environments (e.g., the connection between home and school).
- Exosystem: The larger doll that includes external environments that indirectly influence the child (e.g., parents’ workplaces).
- Macrosystem: The larger cultural context (society, culture).
- Chronosystem: The time dimension, encompassing changes over time (life transitions, societal changes).
Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF)
The Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) draws heavily on theories like Bronfenbrenner’s to guide educators in supporting the holistic development of children from birth to eight years old. VEYLDF recognises that a child’s development is influenced by multiple interconnected systems, much like Bronfenbrenner’s theory suggests.
Learning Outcomes
VEYLDF outlines key learning and development outcomes, including identity, community, wellbeing, learning, and communication, which resonate with the various systems in Bronfenbrenner’s theory. For instance, a child’s sense of identity (part of the Microsystem) is shaped by their relationships with family, peers, and educators.
Holistic Approaches
Both VEYLDF and Bronfenbrenner emphasise the importance of considering the whole child in their context, understanding that factors like family, culture, and community all play crucial roles in their learning and development.
Partnerships with Families and Communities
VEYLDF encourages strong partnerships between early childhood services, families, and communities, reflecting the interconnected nature of the Mesosystem in Bronfenbrenner’s model.
By integrating Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory into your practice, you can better support children’s learning and development, understanding that their growth is not just influenced by what happens in the classroom, but by a broader network of relationships and environments. You can understand better where they are coming from and their context.
https://youtube.com/shorts/Azaa3RnrdyU?si=ADm_KEHjwphA0Ve9
Neuroscience and Bronfenrenner theory
Neuroscience research highlights the concept of brain plasticity—the brain’s ability to change and adapt in response to experiences. This aligns with Bronfenbrenner’s idea that the environment plays a crucial role in shaping development. Studies have shown that enriched environments, such as those with supportive caregivers and stimulating learning opportunities, can enhance cognitive and emotional development (Kolb & Gibb, 2011).
Bronfenbrenner’s Exosystem, which includes broader social and economic factors that indirectly affect a child, is supported by neuroscience research on stress. Chronic stress, such as that experienced due to family financial strain or parental job instability, can have significant negative effects on a child’s brain development, particularly in areas related to emotion regulation and executive functioning (Shonkoff, Boyce, & McEwen, 2009).
Neuroscience underscores the importance of early relationships, a key component of Bronfenbrenner’s Microsystem. Secure attachment with caregivers has been shown to positively influence brain development, particularly in the formation of neural circuits that govern social and emotional behaviour (Schore, 2015). These findings support Bronfenbrenner’s emphasis on the critical role of close, supportive relationships in a child’s immediate environment.
These are just some studies that support the brilliant ideas of Urie Bronfrenrenner.
Practically speaking?
Ok, it’s all cool you say. But what does it have to do with my work as an early childhood educator?
There are few pedagogical practices you can focus on to improve child’s learning and engagement with family. For example, pedagogical practices that actively involve families in the educational process align with Bronfenbrenner’s idea ofthe Microsystem. These programs encourage strong partnerships between educators and families to create a consistent and supportive learning environment both at home and in the classroom.
Example: Implementing regular family-teacher meetings and family-inclusive events at the early childhood centre allows educators to better understand the child’s home environment and support the child’s development holistically.
The second approach involves integrating the local community into the learning experience, reflecting Bronfenbrenner’s Mesosystem and Exosystem. It recognises that children learn not just within the classroom but also through interactions with their broader community. You can see it as partnerships with families from the EYLF V 2.0
Example: Organising field trips to local businesses (Bunnings, Woolies, farm) parks, and community centres, library, or inviting community members to share their expertise with students, helps children connect their classroom learning with real-world experiences, deepening their understanding and engagement.
Finally, reflecting the Macrosystem in Bronfenbrenner’s theory, culturally responsive pedagogy acknowledges and incorporates the diverse cultural backgrounds of children into the learning environment. It supports children’s development by validating their cultural identities and making learning more relevant to their lives.
Example: Educators might incorporate books, activities, and lessons that reflect the cultural traditions and languages of the children in their classroom, encouraging students to share their own cultural practices and fostering an inclusive and respectful learning environment.
References
- Arthur, L., Beecher, B., Death, E., Dockett, S., & Farmer, S. (Year). Programming and planning in early childhood settings. This book offers practical guidance that aligns with Bronfenbrenner’s ideas, helping educators plan effective learning environments.
- Bronfenbrenner, U. (Year). The Ecology of Human Development: Experiments by Nature and Design. This foundational text outlines the theory in detail and is essential for anyone looking to understand the ecological approach to child development.
