LAB ASSIGNMENT 2: Preschool Child Observation
Objective: To observe and record the development of a child in terms of movement, communication, cognition, and social-emotional behavior of a child (age 2 – 6).
Subject: Select one child between 2 – 6 years of age to observe. Be sure to note the age (or age range) of the child in your assignment. Please note that observation of children with MAJOR physical, social, or cognitive challenges is not appropriate for this course. Abnormal development is not dealt with in the course material. Be sure to maintain confidentiality.
Setting and Time: You must specifically describe the setting of your observation in your assignment. Include the time of your observation in this description and the activities occurring in the environment when you are observing.
Try to observe your subject for approximately 30 minutes. You are likely to have to “engage” the child in activities you want them to do – be prepared to do this.
Observations:
1. Note particular aspects of the child’s physical status, e.g., body proportions (how big is the head, trunk, limbs as compared to the rest of the body), height and weight (generally), tissue dominance (amount of lean muscle versus fat tissue), and overall body composition (where do they carry their fat or lean tissue, i.e., arms, trunk, thighs.
2. Observe the child in their environment. Consider the areas of development discussed in class. Watch the child as they perform the activities. Observe activities such as those listed below:
Gross motor skills such as walking, running, jumping, throwing, catching
Fine motor skill might include playing with toys, drawing, coloring, eating
Communication skills/behaviours such as talking, reading, playing with others
Social activities will include interactions with peers, teachers and others
Cognitive activities could include the play behaviours and the interactions within the classroom
Provide a detailed description of the child’s activities during your observation.
o The observation must include detailed descriptions of the activity e.g. movement of your subject’s head and trunk, arms and legs, eye movement; kinds of activities done; handedness; communication (expressive and receptive), interaction with others etc.
o The goal for you, through your detailed description, is to provide the reader with a strong visual image of what your subject looks like when performing a particular the task.
o Compare your observations to the standard criteria for development of various skills as provided in the lecture material. Further information can be gained by utilizing web searches. Make sure to reference your sources in your paper.
o Compare the skill components that you observed in your subject to the information provided in class and determine the stage (if appropriate) that most closely represents your subject’s skill level.
o Note what cognitive and social behaviors accompany the performance of the fundamental gross, fine, play, communication skills.
3. Based on your comparisons, discuss your observation relating it to the course content. Demonstrate an understanding of individual, task, and environmental influences (people, equipment, setting, etc.). You may want to relate your observations to the developmental theorists discussed in class.
Presentation: Keep the written portion of the assignment to 5 – 7 typed pages, 12-point font.
ü Always acknowledge your resources:
ü Include a reference list and appendices as needed.
ü Within the text of your paper, acknowledge all material and concepts from the lecture as well as other resources you have used.
Please ensure that this assignment is completed as per APA guidelines..
