Playground observation essay

CHILD OBSERVATION ASSIGNMENT REPORT

Summer 2019

CHILD OBSERVTION REPORT DESCRIPTION:

will write two separate child Observation Reports to fulfill these assignments involving observing a child of different ages (an infant OR toddler age and an early childhood OR a school-age child) and will then use the child observation notes as a basis for writing a report about the child’s development in the domains. Each report is worth 65 points. It is a course requirement that students complete both observation reports. If a student does not pass in the Observation Reports the notes will not be graded for credit. If a student does not pass in both observations any extra credit points will not be graded as part of the final grade. Students should use the Child Observation Grading Report Form for the report. Do not make your own form or copy/change the form in any way. Do not pass in a grading form that you have made a PDF document.

FINAL CHILD OBSERVATION REPORT DUE DATES:

Observation One-Choose either the Infant OR Toddler age for the observation report (4 months- 2.4 years). The Observation Notes Form is Due 7/26 and the Child Observation Report Grading Form is Due 7/29 by 11:30 PM. Submit the child observation notes form and the child observation report grading form titled with your name and the name of the observation on Moodle using the assignment link. The observation notes should be written as a separate document using the Observation Notes Form in the Observation folder. After submitting the Observation Notes Form, the notes should then be copied to the end of the Child Observation Report Grading Form that will be submitted later.

Observation Two- Choose either the Early Childhood observation paper-(3 to 5 years) OR School-age observation paper (6-11 years). The Due Date for the Child Observation Report Notes is 8/17 by 11:30 PM. The Child Observation Two Grading Form with the notes copied to the end due date is 8/20 by 11:30 PM. Note: If you choose a child who is 2 years four months for Observation One do not do Observation Two on a 3 year old.

**Note: All students should do Observation One on a child who is between 4 months and 2 years four months. For Observation Two students who are early childhood education majors should complete the early childhood observation (3-5 years). If you are an education major, you should complete the middle childhood age report (6-11 years) unless you cannot find a child of that age group and then you may do the report on the early childhood age. You may choose the early childhood or middle childhood age child if you are human services or another major.

If a student does not have a child for the report, students may visit a referred child care site for an observation of a toddler and/or preschool age child. Students will need to sign up ahead of time with the course Professor and receive a letter of introduction to set up a visit to the referred child care center. Students will need to contact the center director to set up the observation time after the director is notified by the course Professor. A letter of introduction will need to be brought to the site with the student BHCC ID or driver’s license if not a regular BHCC student. Students should not contact the director of the center unless they have given their name and received a letter of introduction from the course professor. The address for the program will also be posted.

CHILD OBSERVATION AND REPORT DESCRIPTION:

Audience for this Assignment:

You are to take the role of an observer spending a minimum at least 60 minutes observing each child and recording your observation notes for your report. You may also spend more time with the child and write the observation notes for sections of time. Each set of instructions below details the ages of children to be observed and other particulars to consider when looking for developmental trends as you observe children of different ages. Possible observation ideas are presented at the end of this assignment as an appendix for your use to assure strong, observational experiences. Set up these observations to get the most out your time to see as much about the child’s development as possible. Review the developmental child development information in your textbook, developmental checklists posted on Moodle or from other reliable resources for further ideas of what to look for before you observe the child.

Sites for observations: You may use the following sites for observing your children for this assignment—child’s home, your home, child’s center or school, or other site i.e. playground. Students should not observe children in a public setting that they do not know

Competencies from the course involved in this assignment:

While this assignment involves most of the competencies listed on the syllabus, the primary objective for this assignment will allow you to meet the following competencies fully as you complete the course.

Promoting Child development and learning:

1. Knowing and understanding children’s characteristics and needs. (Level I, II, & III)

2. Knowing and understanding the multiple influences on development and learning. (Level I, II, III)

3. Using developmental knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments. (Level I, II, III)

Family and community relationships:

4. Knowing about and understanding diverse family and community characteristics. (Level I, II, III)

Assessment and evaluation of young children:

5. Understanding the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment.

6. Knowing about and using observation, documentation, and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches. (Level I, II, III)

Using Developmentally Effective Approaches to Connect

with Children and Families:

7. Understanding positive relationships and supportive interactions as a foundation of work with children. (Level I, II, III)

8. Using a broad repertoire of developmentally appropriate teaching/learning practices. (Level I, II, III)

9. Reflecting on their own practice to promote positive outcomes for each child. (Level I, II, III)

Using Content Knowledge to Build Meaningful Curriculum

10. Knowing and using central concepts, inquiry tools and structures of content area and/or academic disciplines.

11. Using their own knowledge, appropriate early learning standards and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curricula for each child. (Level I, II, III)

Professionalism:

12. Engaging in continuous, collaborative learning to inform practice. (Level I, II, III)

Process and Format for Completing Each of the Reports

The process for observing involves the following:

Make an appointment to observe your child, even if you are going somewhere that is familiar. Everyone involved should be informed as to your purpose in the observation. It may be required that you obtain written permission from a parent to observe the child. Check this ahead of time with the program, director, and/or the parent. Some programs have a blanket approval for all observations. You will be changing the child’s name and the names any other children in the observation or you may use initials.
Plan your observation well ahead of the due date. All sorts of problems can occur with observations (you don’t get the information you need; the child is sick; the setting is chaotic the day you arrive, etc.) so you will need extra time to complete the assignment.
Before you go to observe the child, be clear about the child you are going to observe and the setting in which you will observe. Who is the child, where will you be observing, what expectations does the setting have for your interaction with the child? You do not need to interact with the child to do the observation.