Early Childhood Observation

Toddlers and preschoolers are at different developmental stages, and therefore require their teachers to use different approaches and techniques to further learning. I completed my observations at the Bright and Early Children’s Learning Center where I observed a toddler classroom and a preschool classroom. My observations took place from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on the 21st and 28th of September. The first day that I observed I was placed in the toddler classroom which had two teachers, Miss Ashlynn and Miss Miranda, and six students, most of whom were two years old. In the preschool classroom there was one teacher, Miss Stephanie, and eight students, each of whom were 3 years old or 4 years old. While the rooms were physically similar, the teachers used different strategies and activities to appeal to the different age groups.

During my observation at the preschool here at Harper, I looked around and realized a lot of similarities and differences it has; compared to other daycare and preschool centers. The age of children in the room I observed was ages 3-5 with one lead teacher, and depending on the ratio of how many kids showed up on that day, about three or four helping teachers. The program was set up to a very open, happy and overwhelming setting. Every furniture and object in the room had a sign saying what it was, and then underneath the typed out word was the children’s way of writing what the object was. For example, a book shelf was in the corner of the room; on the book shelf was the word printed out “Book

Well planned space is arranged to meet the needs of the children in the classroom. The Core of DAP suggests the teacher should consider what is known about child development, learning, individual children, and social/cultural contexts when designing a classroom. Many pieces of the environment can influence how a child feels in the classroom. The text Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs states that “aspects such as color of the walls, type of

Materials and manipulatives are spread along the outside walls of the classroom and children are free to choose which type of materials they would like to work with during independent work time. You do not notice any individual desks and chairs set up in the classroom, rather a few tables and chairs grouped together. The furniture is all child size and you do not see any adult sized furniture throughout the classroom.

The name of Rachel and I’s preschool was Chit Chatter Clubhouse. Our philosophy discusses how our preschool strives to educate the whole child physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually. We also strive to provide stimulation activities that will prepare our students for the future. Based off of this philosophy we were able to choose different materials from the content areas and set up our classroom with the areas of science, math, block, art, P.E./movement, dramatic play, and reading/writing and morning meeting/circle time. We decided on materials for these areas based off of our goals as well. We found developmentally appropriate furniture such as shelves, tables, chairs, and couches. These furniture pieces were low to the ground since we are teaching 3-5 year olds. Along with these furniture pieces, we have a teacher area with shelving and a desk for us so we can create lessons or work on things to make us better teachers. We have sinks and bathrooms that help students become independent and learn healthy

My observations are being done in three different rooms. I observed many different materials used for different age groups. However, the environments were all pretty much the same. Each room had many toys nowhere in a certain place like center. The toys were kind of just where ever they were last cleaned up at. I actually didn’t observe centers at all. Just one reading center in the Infant 2 room where they children are between ten months and sixteen months. The environments were very plain. Noting stood out for the children to be excited to go there every morning. Each classroom has giant windows and for the most part good walking space. Just not the Infant 1 room where there are just too many cribs. There was art work displayed on all the

developed by the Child Development Division, California Department of Education. This publication was edited by Faye Ong,

Classrooms environments are very important at the time of learning. According to our textbook, the environment is viewed as an established behavioral place that forms how we act and behave (Vukelich & Christie, 2016). The environment in the classroom I visited was adequate for learning because it has all the things a preschool classroom has to have according to the textbook. The classroom has a bulleting board, a dramatic play center, a writing center, tables for manipulative and games, whole group meeting area, a computer area and an art area. There was also on a wall a picture of every single child with his and her names. My visit was from 10:30 to 12:30. When I first arrived, children were in a transition from one activity to another. The next activity was to watch an ABC phonics video. All the children knew what they have to do. They had to sit nicely and quiet on the floor. Every single child knew how to sit. They crossed their legs and put their hands in their laps. When the teacher saw that all the children were sitting properly, she assumed that they were ready to learn. During this activity I observed that Matthew and Jose were not engaged with this activity because they were looking to other children instead to look to the screen. For the next activity the children had to take a tablet from a cabinet. I was surprise because every single child knew the number of the tablet they have to take. Later I noticed that it was because in the classroom every child has a

In an early childhood setting, being observant gives professionals and family members a helpful portrait of the children in their care, and as future professionals it helps us see how intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development occurs in children. Observing, documenting, and assessing young children shows how they progress from one stage to the next or when there is a delay in progression. The reason we observe young children is that “there is so much that demands attention and response; at the same time, by building in systematic observation, teachers can improve their teaching, construct theory, assess children, assist families, and solve problems” (Gordon and Browne, p.180). It gives dynamic information about each child’s learning styles, interests, abilities, and needs. Observation helps teachers improve teaching by making them become more objective and self-aware of biases they may have. It encourages us to remember that early childhood development is highly individualized, so customizing activities to benefit each child will help them utilize their abilities to their fullest potentials, and through this we will be able to recognize what behaviors are typical of various age groups. The reason we document our observations is so that we can keep records and show proper evidence of each child’s individual growth and participation in classroom activities. With good documentation, family members will able to see the progression made by their child.

Inside of the classroom there was a different objective I observed such as three calendars, three tables, a cabinet, 15 pack backs on the shelves and glitter. There were 2 flags, four plants and children sitting and lunch set. There were wood blocks, children pictures, pencil and crayons. There was hand paint, one clock and three rugs. There was three teachers and one with it an apron on.

During my observations in the different classrooms at “The childcare Center”, I learned about the proper environment, the fundamentals of the teachers lesson plans, their health and safety regulations, their approach to guidance and discipline, and overall quality childcare. The center has eight different levels of age groups; each of them has their own curriculum based on their age and developmental needs. This curriculum changes and has a new theme each month that helps the lead teachers to be able to start their lesson plans each week. From infants all the way to pre-K the lesson plans include fine motor, gross motor, art and sensory, math and manipulatives, music and movement, language including both signing and Spanish.

There are many types of learning opportunities that can encourage a child to learn and help to enhance their abilities. Child care centers are a great way to encourage a child to learn, and to be ready for the school atmosphere. “The Big Top Child Care Center” in Laurel, Maryland have an excellent program for children between two to nine years of age. They have an environment where teachers are well trained and are first aid and CPR certified. They enhance a child’s learning by providing them with nutrition, educational field trips, and special events. Elementary schools are the opening door for early childhood education. Children can begin their learning experience in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten which are the first grades of elementary education. “ Ring Factory Elementary” located at Harford county in Maryland is a school that has three kindergarten classes that teach five to six year olds the beginning of their educational life. Not only are there child care centers and schools a great

The classroom is organized so that the student’s stuff and the teacher’s stuff should not cross paths. The students keep their materials in their cubbies at one end of the room, their pencil boxes at their seats, and their book boxes on the floor. The teacher’s stuff is located on her desk, and the back table where small group stuff gets done. The classroom setting is definitely positive and interesting because it has a minion theme. Children in that age range love minions most of the time and

For my field experience, I am observing in a second grade classroom in a small community. The community is made of five schools. The town is composed of one grocery store, a few places to eat, and several small stores set up throughout the town. The town has only one stoplight located in the center of the town. There are several churches through the town. The school is located on a big hill that is next to softball field. The office is surrounded by large open windows. Every classroom has large windows and plenty of natural lighting. The halls are brightly decorated with paintings and children’s work. The classroom I am observing is decorated with where the wild things are pictures. The walls are decorated with posters, the alphabet, shapes, and colors. There is a word wall that has sight words hung from each letter in the alphabet. There is a Reading area that has books arranged by students reading levels. The classroom has a

My classroom is geared for a Kindergarten class of 20 students, in a general education setting. The learning environment has been organized to maximize the students’ safety, allow for student and teacher movement, promote collaboration among peers, and foster student engagement in classroom activities. Furniture utilized in this setting is developmentally and size appropriate, so that children are comfortable. Storage cubbies, equipment, and materials have been placed in areas that are easily accessible to both myself and my students without restricting the flow of classroom traffic or blocking the student’s view of or access to learning materials.