For this assignment you will complete an observation of a child in the following age range:
Preschooler–Three to five years (50 points)***
This observation will take place in a naturalistic setting with an active child for approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. You will take detailed notes during the observation. You will then type up the observation in essay format and in the past tense, include a more comprehensive interpretation on behaviors from the three domains, and submit to Turn It In via the link provided in Brightspace. For the sake of confidentiality, please do not include the real names of any people or places in the observation–all parties must remain anonymous.
Please note: The child cannot be your own child or one you care for on a regular basis. You should not interact with the child during the observation.
Your typed observation should include the following sections:
Please take note of how the preschool observation is different from the infant and toddler observations in the amount and type of detail needed in the interpretation section, and in the number of sections overall.
Background information section
The day, date, and time of the observation
The child’s age (in months except for the preschool)
The contextual details about the child’s family (for example, culture, language(s) spoken, socioeconomic status, religious affiliation/beliefs, health factors)
The setting of the observation–remember to never include the actual names of places
The people present during the observation–again, no actual names
Observation section
Describe what the subject did and said, their actions and interactions, using the past tense
Describe the above details in sequence and in enough detail that someone can read it and know what happened in the order that it happened—include the child’s exact language
Describe the above details using objective language, avoiding your own commentary or any interpretations–only describe what you actually saw and heard
Interpretation section
Make accurate connections between what is described in the textbook and other relevant course materials and what you observed. You can only comment on what you included in the observation section above. You cannot include any information you may know about the child, only what you directly observed during the timeframe of the observation.
Make more and deeper connections between observed behaviors and the course content to support your interpretation of the preschool child’s actions and interactions. You can do this by interpreting behaviors from more than one domain.
Make objective interpretive comments based on fact and not overarching interpretations about the child’s overall development. Avoid phrases like “right on track” or “behind” or “ahead”. Instead, focus on the specific connections you made between the observed behavior and the domain you are highlighting. For example, you CAN say “this behavior indicates…” or “this behavior is consistent with” as long as you back those phrases up with objective domain specific details from your source (the text or other relevant course content)
Make sure to accurately cite your sources using APA format when you refer to the text or other relevant course content.
Contextual factors section
Using evidence from the observation and using objective language, please explain how multiple contextual factors such and cultural and linguistic contexts, family structure, community characteristics, and the child’s individual characteristics may influence the child’s development
Using a strengths-based approach, describe how at least one (1) contextual factor (like race, ethnicity, language ability, socioeconomic status, religion, community, society) may influence the observed child’s physical and mental health, well-being, and nutrition. What contextual factors might be considered protective? Your description must be respectful of diverse family and community characteristics.
Recommendations section
Observation is a type of assessment. Although assessment can be a positive tool for early childhood professionals, it has also been used in inappropriate and harmful ways. It is important that we understand and practice responsible assessment as a method for supporting children, not to exclude them or deny them services. When you write your recommendations in this section please base them responsibly on evidence from your analysis and not on your opinion.
Based on evidence from your observation, what activities or assistance/support would likely promote positive outcomes for this child? Please do not use a deficit-lens. Instead, use a strengths-based approach to your recommendations. How can you build from this child’s strengths to support their development?
You may use bullet points, but each recommendation must be described in complete sentences. Be sure to include:
The observed behavior
Your recommendations and how it is strengths-based
Why you think it would promote positive outcomes for this child
Reflection section
Observation gives insight into how young children develop and respond to opportunities and obstacles in their lives. Observing young children in classrooms, homes, and communities helps [us] develop a broad sense of who children are–as individuals, as group members, as family members, as members of cultural and linguistic communities. With that in mind, please reflect on the experience of doing this observation assignment.
From your perspective, what is the benefit of using observation as a method for learning about a child’s development?
What is the most important thing you learned from the experience of observing an infant, a toddler, and a preschool aged child?
PLEASE ONLY USE SOURCES FROM BOOK
https://openstax.org/books/lifespan-development/pages/1-what-does-psychology-say
