Child Development 1Winter 2018
Name: / Date of Observation:Early Childhood Observation
Directions:
Step 1: Read and review chapter 6.
Step 2: Find a child to observe age 3 – 6 years old for at least 1 hour. Remember to ask the child’s parent for permission prior to doing the observation. Make sure it is an environment where the child feels comfortable and secure.
Step 3: Answer the following questions being detailed in your responses.
Part 1 – Background Information
Child’s Name: / Age (Years/Months):Is the child a boy or a girl?
Who does the child live with?
Does the child have brothers or sisters? If so, what are their ages?
Does the child go to school and grade (if applicable)?
Who is the primary caregiver of the child?
Where did the observation take place?
Describe the child’s physical appearance including their height and weight.
Describe the meals & snacks the child has on a typical day.
Other Relevant Information?
Part 2 – Physical Observation
How does the child move? (example: jumping, walking, running, skipping, etc.)
Give examples of gross motor skills. How do they compare with what the textbook identifies as age-typical?
Give examples of fine motor skills. How do they compare with what the textbook identifies as age-typical?
Give examples of the experiences,physical activity, exercise and nutrition the child has regularly.
Would you evaluate the child to be within normal range for physical/motor development in his age group? Why or why not?
Part 3 – Cognitive Observation
In what stage is the child according to the theorist Jean Piaget? How do you know?
Ask the child questions and/or design a conversation task described on page 242 Figure 6.4. What were your findings?
Give examples of the child’s cognitive development.
Get a sample of the child’s drawings. Does the child demonstrate drawing abilities that are descriptive of his or her age? Attach the sample drawing to this assignment.
Part 4 – Socioemotional Observation
Describe the child’s play. Compare it to the Social Levels of Play: Parten’s Classic Study. Was it Unoccupied behavior? Onlooking? Solitary play? Parallel play? Associative play? Cooperative play? How do you know?
Did you observe behaviors that indicate gender-identity? Describe Compare it to the Trends in Gender Development in your text.
Did you observe any of the following emotions while observing the child?
If so, give a brief description.
Joy Anger
Fear Guilt
Shame Excitement
Empathy Jealousy
Shyness Pride
Sadness Curiosity
Anxiety Frustration
Did you observe any other emotions? Please Describe.
Anything else you observed?