reaction to this summary-Theories are explanations of information, observations, and life experiences. The theoretical foundation of this book encompasses, relationship-based theory, transactional and unified theory, bioecological systems theory and ecobiodevelopmental theory.
In Relationship-based theory infants and toddlers do not exist as separate entities but as part of social networks. Infants and toddlers require meaningful, supportive, enduring relationships. Relationships differ on a number of dimensions, and intimacy, reciprocity, and commitment are important factors in determining the quality and usefulness of a relationship.
In Transactional and Unified Theory relationships are bi-directional: Adults affect children and vice versa. Transactions include the child’s behavior or appearance as a stimulus, the meaning given by the adult to the child’s behavior, and the adult’s response. Relationships that are troubled may be responsive to intervention at any of three points: the child by remediation, the meaning by redefinition, and the response by reeducation. Context, relationships, and time influence children’s personal development.
In Bioecological systems theory development can be affected by many levels of relationships, from close family all the way to national policies. All systems affect one another.