Assignment #2
Unfortunately, neglected children can be found all over the world and in every social class. Adeline was born into a wealthy family but was in an especially vulnerable position because her mother died just days after she was born and her older siblings blamed her for the loss of their mother. Describe Adeline's home life. Looking at chapter 2 in Help Your Child to Thrive, which focuses on helping children build confidence through making constructive choices, describe how Aunt Baba and Adeline's school helped Adeline to avoid falling into a mindset of hopelessness through giving her positive feedback and encouraging constructive choices.
Adeline didn’t have much support from her family members at home besides her Aunt Baba. Since she shared a room with Aunt Baba, she became her parental figure since her father and her stepmother didn’t pay much attention to her. Also, she was treated poorly by her siblings who blamed her for “killing” their mother. Adeline could only get her father’s attention from doing well in school. However, that made her siblings dislike her even more, feeling that she was bragging by always wearing the award for being leader in her classroom. Her siblings wouldn’t come to her defense if another sibling were bullying her. No one really cared for Adeline’s safety or school life, no one arranged for her ride to and from her new school in a new city.
Aunt Baba and Adeline’s school stops Adeline from developing a hopeless mindset by scaffolding her learning. When Adeline comes home with the award, Aunt Baba immediately gives her positive feedback through telling her how proud she is and giving her a hug. By saying that one day Adeline can translate the English/French words into Chinese, Aunt Baba continues to be a motivation to Adeline to do well in school. Her school also gives her positive reinforcement because every time she leads the classroom, she will get the award for the week. At the end of the school year, her hard work is acknowledged with the ceremony for having the award more than anyone else in the classroom.
Kitty Lui
Nancy Lu
Although Adeline grew up in a very wealthy household, her family members would neglect her and continue to give little attention. The only support she received was from her Aunt Baba since her aunt took care of her growing up. Her brothers and older sister would continuously torment her and scowl at her even when she does nothing. When Adeline comes home with a medal, her siblings would shun her and not congratulate her for her successes. She was treated very poorly at home and did not receive any attention or nurture from her family members, other than Aunt Baba. Her siblings would pick on her and demand her to do chores for them.
Despite the little nurture received from her family members, Aunt Baba and the school that she goes to has encouraged her to strive for success. Her aunt and her school gives her the nurture and support she needs in order for her to become a successful and ambitious girl. When Adeline received a medal at school for doing well, Aunt Baba would positively reinforce her of her achievements. She would place Adeline’s certificate in the safety box as if it was an expensive jewelry. Adeline felt welcomed and noticed at school, which only pushed her to work harder. Aunt Baba and the school encourages her to do well, therefore boosting Adeline’s confidence.
Omar Sarreal
It’s sad that Adeline takes the blame for the loss of her mother. Because of this burden, her siblings and father rarely show her any love or support. Adeline’s father only shows her support when she shows high achievements in her academics, but even then, her siblings resented her and did not congratulate her. Adeline’s siblings picked on her also persecuted her with chores.
Aunt Baba was there to support and take care of Adeline when her mother passed. Aunt Baba and Adeline share a room at the house. Being in the room with Aunt Baba, Adeline was in a safe space. Aunt Baba is her main source of support at home. Adeline’s school was an escape from her miserable home life with her siblings. Adeline also wanted to accomplish more in school to get the praise she needed from her father. Both Aunt Baba and Adeline’s school provided her with the positive reinforcement to not fall into a mindset of hopelessness.
Aliyah Deiz
In the story, Adeline’s home life was described to be very hard. Since she was born, her siblings already decided that they were not going to treat her like their sister by blaming Adeline for her mother’s death. Even in the latter chapters when it talks about how the two children, Niang’s “real” children, there was already this distinction that they were more special. Her siblings treated her bad by mildly bullying her, and her Father only paid attention to her when she accomplished something.
Although it seemed like such a bad environment for her growing up, Aunt Baba and her life at school created this silver lining that pushed Adeline to stay positive. Aunt Baba from the beginning was described to be so kind and gentle, you can see how much she cares and loves Adeline like she was her own child. There was the scene in the beginning of the story when, Aunt Baba places Adeline’s award certificate in her safe-deposit box where she kept all her jewelry. This scene showed Adeline that this accomplishment was very important to Aunt Baba which made her feel important and treasured. Her school allowed her to set goals for herself, and she was able to not only reach them but exceed them. This was very important for Adeline, because in this way she was bringing honor to her family name and also her this made her Father very pleased with her.
Angel Moreno
Adeline grew up into a household where no family member showed her support or love. This is all due to the fact that she is blamed for killing her mother during delivery. Her siblings ignored her and her father only paid attention to her when she succeeded in school and got an award. Hatred towards her grew even more every time Adeline brought an award home because of her success and them not being able to obtain an award. The nurturing that comes from a mother was never there for Adeline because her step-mother, Niang, disliked Adeline and her siblings. All she cared for was her own children. She was constantly bullied by all of her siblings and obligated to do all of the chores. No one worried for her whereabouts or even how she was going to get home from school. Adeline experienced abandonment throughout her childhood.
On the other hand, Aunt Baba and her school environment were the only things in her life that motivated her and kept her from losing hope. Aunt Baba really showed Adeline interest in her life and academic progress. When Adeline brought the award she received at school to Aunt Baba, she felt loved when Aunt Baba said that she was very proud of her. Simple acts like Aunt Baba giving Adeline hugs showed Adeline support and that around her, there was no place for neglect or rejection. In addition, by the school constantly recognizing her success and giving her an award showed Adeline that she is a special kid. Overall, Aunt Baba and Adeline’s school helped Adeline into not losing her confidence.
SUMMARY
We all agreed that Adeline's childhood lacked support and nurture from her family members. Although she did not receive the attention from her family, Aunt Baba and the support from her school encouraged to perservere in her goals and aspirations. Her acheivements in school also helped her relationship with her Father. Because she was doing well, her dad took notice of her which fueled her to do even better in school. Her siblings would belittle her because of her academic success. Despite the mistreatment given by her siblings, her motivation is fueled by Aunt Baba and the support from her school.