Topic: Essay on Child Observation Assignment
For this assignment, you will observe a young child. Please choose a child between the ages of 2 and 5 years old.
Then, complete the following steps:
1) Before you begin your assignment you must:
Discuss this assignment with the child’s parent.
Inform the parent that you are not observing the child from the position of an expert.
Explain that you are a Lifespan Development student and are merely observing the child for a class assignment.
Tell the parent that you will not be using the child’s name in the report.
2) Observe the child for at least 1 hour.
You may not babysit or observe a child in your work setting.
You must try to stay as detached from the child’s interactions as possible! Kids are naturally curious, so it is fine to let them know what you are doing. But the less attention you give them, the less interest they will have in you. 🙂
3) Record any data related to the following domains:
Physical development
Estimate weight/height
Gross motor skills
Fine motor skills
Other physical characteristics or activities
Cognitive Development
Langauge use
Creativity
Decision making
Judgment
Social Emotional Development
Emotions (positive/negative and how handled)
Psychosocial stage (you must include this for full credit in this area)
Social interactions
Self-Concept
Temperament
Cultural Influences
Parenting practices
Multiple languages
Gender roles
4) Write a narrative report of what you observed of the child. Use complete sentences and paragraphs. In your report:
Introduction with child’s demographic information (age, gender, family arrangement – if known, and/or identify primary caregivers)
State that you received permission to complete the observation
Discuss observations and divide into sections based on
Physical domains
Cognitive domains
Social/emotional domains
Cultural influences
Be sure to use formal, clinical, development language in your report. The more specific vocabulary you use, the better!
The paper should be no less than 3 pages and double spaced. You do not need in-text citations for this assignment, as you will be writing about your observation and simply including vocabulary from the book.
Have fun!
(Image credit: https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/nursery-world/news/1152353/three-baseline-providers-approved-following-delays (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.)
Child Observation Rubric
Child Observation Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Parent/Guardian Permision
2.0 pts
Full Marks – Explicitly stated in paper that permission was received to observe the child.
0.0 pts
No Marks – Did not explicitly state in paper that permission was received to observe the child.
2.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Confidentiality
2.0 pts
Full Marks – Child’s real name and identifying information was not included in the report.
0.0 pts
No Marks – Child’s real name and identifying information was included in the report.
2.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome General Description of Child
4.0 pts
Exemplary – Included introduction with child’s demographic information (age, gender, family arrangement – if known, and/or identify primary caregivers)
2.0 pts
Proficient – Included introduction with child’s demographic information – only a few details missing.
1.0 pts
Emerging – Included introduction with child’s demographic information (age, gender, family arrangement – many details missing.
0.0 pts
No Credit – Did not include an introduction with child’s demographic information.
4.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Physical Domain
4.0 pts
Exemplary – Discussed/analyzed child’s physical development using specific terms referencing the child’s height/weight, motor skills, and other physical characteristics.
2.0 pts
Proficient – Discussed/analyzed child’s physical development by mostly using specific terms.
1.0 pts
Emerging – Somewhat discussed child’s physical development, but used almost no specific terms from the readings.
0.0 pts
No Marks – Did not discuss physical development of child.
4.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Cognitive Domain
4.0 pts
Exemplary – Discussed/analyzed child’s cognitive development using specific terms referencing the child’s language, judgment, creativity, decision making and/or other areas of cognitive functioning.
2.0 pts
Proficient – Discussed/analyzed child’s cognitive development by mostly using specific terms.
1.0 pts
Emerging – Somewhat discussed child’s cognitive development, but used almost no specific terms from the readings.
0.0 pts
No Marks – Did not discuss cognitive development of child.
4.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Social/Emotional Domain
4.0 pts
Exemplary – Discussed/analyzed child’s social/emotional development using specific terms referencing the child’s emotional regulation, psycho-social stage, temperament, self-concept and/or other areas of social/emotional functioning.
2.0 pts
Proficient – Discussed/analyzed child’s social/emotional development by mostly using specific terms.
1.0 pts
Emerging – Somewhat discussed child’s social/emotional development, but used almost no specific terms from the readings.
0.0 pts
No Marks – Did not discuss social/emotional development of child.
4.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Cultural Influences
4.0 pts
Exemplary – Discussed/analyzed the effects of cultural influences on the child, such as multiple languages, parenting styles, and gender roles.
3.0 pts
Proficient – Somewhat discussed/analyzed the effects of cultural influences on the child.
2.0 pts
Emerging – Briefly referenced cultural influences on child, but discussion lacked detail and did not use specific terms from the text.
0.0 pts
No Marks – Did not discuss impact of cultural influences on the child.
4.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Organization/Tone
8.0 pts
Exemplary – Paper was well-organized according to domains of functioning. Appropriate academic tone was used throughout .
4.0 pts
Proficient – Paper was mostly well-organized and/or occasional informal language was used.
2.0 pts
Emerging – Paper had some organization issues and/or frequent informal language was used.
0.0 pts
No Marks – Paper was very poorly organized and fraught with informal language.
8.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Spelling/Grammar/Mechanics
8.0 pts
Exemplary – Paper had almost no spelling/grammar/mechanical errors.
4.0 pts
Proficient – Paper had some spelling/grammar/mechanical errors.
2.0 pts
Emerging – Paper had significant spelling/grammar/mechanical errors that somewhat detracted from the points the writer attempted to convey.
0.0 pts
No Marks – Significant errors in the paper made it very difficult to understand the points the writer tried to convey.
8.0 pts
Total Points: 40.0
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