OBSERVATION EARLY CHILDHOOD

For this observation, you need to be as OBJECTIVE as possible, describing behaviors that you see and verbalizations that you hear (NOT what you think about what you see/hear) but include only those that give you information about the specific area of development you are observing – social-emotional, physical, cognitive or language.
If you see them, describe any indicators you see/hear that tell you about these elements the child is exhibiting.

PHYSICAL

Review physical milestones for the age of the child you are observing prior to doing the observation so you can speak specifically about them.)

Development of the five senses (vision, hearing, smell, touch and taste)
Body control
Large (gross) motor development skills, typical for age? (Offer examples)
Small (fine) motor development skills, typical for their age? (Offer examples)
Eating patterns/malnourishment/obesity
COGNITIVE
• In which of Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development (Table 7.1, Pg. 221) is the child? Evidence you observed that tell you this.
• Comprehension of conversation and directions
• Indications of problem solving
• Evidence of creativity
• Ability keep up with group activity
• Accomplishment of key cognitive developmental milestones for the child’s age

LANGUAGE

(Review language milestones for the age of the child you are observing prior to doing the observation so you can speak specifically about them.)
• Receptive language, typical for age? (Offer examples)
• Productive language, typical for age? (Offer examples, collect a language sample)
• Average number of words per sentence
• Pre-literacy or literacy skills demonstrated – describe specific pre-reading and pre-writing skills (younger children) and reading and writing skills (older children)
• Home language other than English, bilingualism

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL
(Review social-emotional milestones for the age of the child you are observing prior to doing the observation so you can speak specifically about them.)
• Type of temperament
• Attachment, dependence or independence from adults
• Self-regulation behaviors, anger, aggression
• Socialization patterns, peer relations, displays of empathy and sympathy
• Ability to enter into a play situation
• Stage of social play (Pg. 412)
• How child handles waiting for a turn, delay of gratification
• How child responds to disappointment or rejection
• Fears and anxiety, sadness or depression

INFANT: You are going to watch the same video TWICE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7QQ6CQldP4

FIRST PAGE

1) Watch the video and write an Observation on your note (divided into two columns: Observation and Reflection).
2) Write a Reflection on your note.
3) Write a Narrative Child Observation paper

Second Page:

1) Choose one Developmental Domain. This time, you are focusing on only one baby.
2) Choose one baby in video, watch the same video again, and write an Observation on your note.
3) Write a Reflection on your note.
4) Write a Narrative Child Observation paper
5) Create one activity for the baby you have chosen.
a. Activity name
b. Write why you want to have this activity for the baby
c. Activity Goals
d. Materials you need
e. Procedure – Describe how you are going to do this activity with the baby