ECE 401 AU Understanding Children Through Observation Formats Essay – Description
Assignment:
This week, the topic is ‘Using Observation in Guiding Children’. After completing your weekly text reading, reviewing the additional resources provided, and in doing your own outside research, complete the following case study:
Step 1: Select a setting in which you can complete three 30-minute observations of a toddler as he/she interacts with other children. This can be done in a preschool, at home, etc. Write detailed notes on the child’s behavior using the anecdotal note form (1st observation), the running record form (2nd observation), and using the checklist (3rd observation) using your text as a guide in the how to’s of using each.
ANECDOTAL FORMAT
Goal for this observation
Date/day:
Time of day:
Focus child, if appropriate:
Other children involved
The anecdote:
RUNNING RECORD FORMAT
Focus:
Date:
Context/Background/Time
Intensive Observation
Comments/Reflections
CHECKLIST
Child’s Name: ______________________ Date: ____________________
I. INDIVIDUAL ATTRIBUTES
The child:
____ Is usually in a positive mood
____ Is not excessively dependent on the teacher, assistant, or other adults
____ Usually comes to the program or setting willingly
____ Usually copes with rebuffs adequately
____ Shows the capacity to empathize
____ Has positive relationships with one or two peers; shows capacity to really care about them, miss them if they are absent
____ Displays the capacity for humor
____ Does not seem to be acutely lonely
II. SOCIAL SKILLS ATTRIBUTES
The child usually:
____ Approaches others positively
____ Expresses wishes and preferences clearly; gives reasons for actions and positions
____ Asserts own rights and needs appropriately
____ Is not easily intimidated by bullies
____ Expresses frustrations and anger effectively and without escalating disagreements or harming others
____ Gains access to ongoing groups at play and work
____ Enters ongoing discussion on the subject; makes relevant contributions to ongoing activities
____ Takes turns fairly easily
____ Shows interest in others; exchanges information with and requests information from others appropriately
____ Negotiates and compromises with others appropriately
____ Does not draw inappropriate attention to self
____ Accepts and enjoys peers and adults of ethnic groups other than his or her own
____ Interacts nonverbally with other children with smiles, waves, nods, and so forth
III. PEER RELATIONSHIP ATTRIBUTES
The child:
____ Is usually accepted versus neglected or rejected by other children
____ Is sometimes invited by other children to join them in play, friendship, and work
____ Is named by other children as someone they are friends with or like to play and
work with
Step 2: Compose an essay reflecting upon key concepts from this week’s assigned reading and on what you learned about guiding children. Be sure to connect your essay to the information you learned from your observations. Discuss:
How the different observation formats helped you better understand children, in general
What type of information is gained from each
Which you found to be most useful in gathering information about your target child
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