Family And Child Development : Toddler Observation Study Essay

The preschool years which are the ages between 2 ½ years to five years old is an exciting time for children. It is during this time that they use all of the development learned during the infant and toddler stage to actively explore and engage in school. Preschoolers learn how to make their own choices, develop socially, and explore their environments. Parents and caregivers still play an important role in helping children during this time take initiative and explore their environments. Adult’s behaviors, attitudes, and styles of thinking contribute to preschooler’s

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

When I went to go observe the preschool lab I saw right around thirteen kids and two teachers that were in the room with them at that time. The reason why I believe it is important to have more kids than teachers is that it allows the kids to interact with each other which will allow them to develop better socially with kids their age. Having a few teachers also allows them to have an authority figurehead that they answer to and listen to. It is important to only have a few though because I feel like if you had a ton of different teachers it would confuse the kids who to listen to because there are multiple authority figures who may be saying different things.

You want the best for your toddler but you don't have extra time to invest. You want to ensure that your child's future is secure by providing a solid educational foundation yet you haven't had a free moment to research the best options.

This week I meet up with my Nephew Omari who is currently 2 years old, going on 3 in January. We meet up at home and I sat back and just quietly witnessed the interaction between mommy and toddler. First observation of toddler is that sitting still is not in his vocabulary. He is on the go and in everything that he can get his hands on, mommy is on standby to intercept anything that could be dangerous but still lets him be. Toys litter the floor and he is not even focused on them but on what is on the nightstand (makeup, jewelry). Being that he is still little he cannot reach it (just yet) but his curiosity is in high gear and he wants them bad.

Observation is very important in young children because that is how you get to know a child better. While observing how a child interacts with their peers, adults, and how they behave in different settings, you are getting to know the child without speaking to them.

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.

Observer visited a play place of a restaurant in New Jersey, Hackensack. Why I have chosen the place is easy to observe every part of child development such as cognitive, social emotional, language as well as physical at the same time. Observer performed the observation on April 28 from 1 pm to 3pm. The child was an Asian boy. He has strait short black hair with dark brown eyes and thin black eye brows. His height looked around 37 inches that he may be a little smaller than other early childhood children. He looks thin and has a full set of teeth inside his mouth, full cheeks, and a small button nose.

The subject I observed name is Blake, a 6-month-old boy. His birthday is January 12, 2015. I would think his cognitive, physical, socio-emotional, gross motor and fine motor skills to around his age. Blake just turned 6 months so there is a high likely hood that he is not performing as a 6 month performs yet. I chose to complete the observation in his home in his living room. I thought there would be fewer distractions in his familiar environment.

In this assignment I am going to describe a child observation that I have done in a nursery for twenty minutes in a play setting. I will explain the strengths and weaknesses of naturalistic observation through the key developmental milestones based in Mary Sheridan (2005) check-list and provide a theoretical explanation to support the naturalistic observation.

The child I observed was a seven-year-old girl in Year 2 who sat on the second highest ability table in a mixed class. While not in school, she lived a substantial distance away meaning she travelled to and from school by car and was often the first child to arrive in the morning and the last to leave in the afternoon. I will focus on the social and emotional development of this child who, from now onwards, will be referred to as C.

The three parent child observations that have been documented will be analyzed using knowledge from class material and with peer-reviewed articles. Support will be given to show the connection between the articles, the class material, and to each observation. Each observation took place in a different location and each supporting article discusses how the actions of the parent and child relate to different aspects of a parent child relationship.

This semester in Child Development has helped me a great deal. I came into this class wanting to be a Child Development teacher at the high school level. I am leaving this class with the same ambition to become a Child Development teacher. I have learned so much by taking this class and I know it will all be helpful in the future once I am standing at the front of a classroom. Also, just by watching the way Mary teaches the class, I have learned things that I want to take into my own style of teaching.

Compare and contrast a child from younger age group with a child from an older age group.