1. Ecological Map Student Name: Elizabeth Kukulovski
Student Number: S
Unit: EDFD127 – Contexts for Learning and Development
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)

2. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological System
Large Impact on Child
(Antonio)
Small impact on the systems
Antonio’s
And Mesosystem
Elizabeth Kukulovski - S

3. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory
Urie Bronfenbrenner ( ), contributed the view that the child is part of the larger social context, this view of child development is the “Sociocultural” view – The child is portrayed as both the creator and a creation of their own social context. Through Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, we are encouraged to view children in a variety of contexts when assessing their development.
Family influences, the community and its resources, the families culture and the culture of the persons around them and the children’s service the child attends will all aid to shape and develop the growing child.
(Nixon .D.& Gould .K. 1999)

4. The Microsystem Ecological Systems…
The Microsystem focuses on the immediate environment around the child, that being the child’s home and family, the child care centre they attend or the home-based care setting.
(Nixon .D.& Gould .K. 1999)

5. The Mesosystem
The Mesosystem includes the relationships and/or characteristics of the Microsystem. This can include relationships between parents and their child’s caregivers.
(Nixon .D.& Gould .K. 1999)

6. The Exosystem
The Exosystem involves the settings which the child does not directly play a part in, but significantly influences the child by having a direct impact.
Parental employment significantly impacts on the quality of the child’s experiences, eg. Income level of the parent (increasing/decreasing), the parents access to leave and flexible work hours.
(Nixon .D.& Gould .k. 1999)

7. The Macrosystem
The Macrosystem’s focal point is the social system or the culture in which the child is born into and raised. This being the values and beliefs of the culture and how these issues have an impact on the child.
(Nixon .D.& Gould .K. 1999)

8. AVATAR: My Virtual Child
Antonio, 5 years old
Antonio’s mother, Athena is the Sole Caregiver of Antonio and his brother, Fondas, 8 years old
Antonio, Athena and Fondas live together in a three bedroom unit.
Antonio’s father, died suddenly when coming home from work in a Car Accident, July 2008.
Antonio attends “Little Explorers Long Day Care Centre”, five days a week
Athena works as a Shop Manager, Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm – earns $937.50/week.
Antonio’s Grandparents are the informal carers of Antonio and Fondas (Monday to Friday afternoons, until Athena collects the children)
On Saturday mornings Antonio plays soccer, in the Minor Leagues
Antonio’s Sundays are usually spent with his brother, mother and grandparents for a picnic.

9. Microsystem Family Home Setting Grandparents Pre-School Settings
Characteristics
Avatar
Statistics
Microsystem
Family
Athena, 31 year old mother is the Sole Carer of Antonio and his older brother Fondas, 8 years old.
The Australian Institute of Family Studies states that there are 10.7% of families with a sole parent, supporting dependent children
Home Setting
Antonio, Fondas and Athena live in a rented 3 bedroom flat.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics, shows that 60% of population are sole parents renting a flat.
Grandparents
Grandparents are the informal carers of Antonio and Fondas, after they have been collected from Pre-School and School for Fondas
The Australian Institute of Family Studies indicates that 25.8% use either formal or informal care
Pre-School
Antonio attends “Little Explorers Long Day Care Centre”, Monday to Friday
The Australian Institute of Family Studies shows that 25% of children aged 0 – 11 are placed in formal care for 5 – 9 hours

10. Mesosystem Exosystem Child Care Setting Socio Economic Status
Antonio's Room Leader often discusses his progress with his mother in the morning and his grandparents in the afternoons
Exosystem
Socio Economic Status
Athena works as a Shop Manager, 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. Her hourly rate is $25/ hour. Her weekly income is $ (does not get paid for lunch breaks)
The Australian Bureau of Statistics indictate that 46.3% of women working, are single parents with dependent children
Social Experience
Soccer - Minor Leagues on Saturday

11. Macrosystem Culture Religion Events Chronosystem Greek
According to the 2006 Census data retrieved from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 3.9% of the Australian population are Greek
Religion
Orthodox, only go to church for special ocassions
14.7% of Australian population are Catholic. Australian Bureau of Statistics
Chronosystem
Events
Father was killed in a car accident when Antonio was 3 years old.a

12. References
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2008). Children and Youth Statistics Children and Youth Releases. Retrieved March 17, 2009, .
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2007) Census of Population and Housing. Retrieved March 17, 2009,
Australian Institute of Family Studies (2009). Family Facts & Figures. Retrieved March 14, 2009,
Gould, .K. & Nixon, .D Emerging: Child Development in the first three years (2nd edition). Melbourne: Thomson