OBSERVATION

HLS 245: Human Development Please attach this sheet to you paper

Child Observation (25 points)

You are to arrange to observe a child between the ages of 2 and 10. Once you have made arrangements, plan a set of activities for the child in which you can elicit the child’s skills in the following areas: Gross motor development, Fine motor development, Psychosocial development, Language development, Cognitive development, and Adaptive development. It is essential that you plan activities that are appropriate for the child’s age. Make your testing and observation a “game” for the child. Make sure that you review information from your notes and text prior to your visit with the child. Include the following observations:

1. Gross motor development: The child’s ability to move (walk, run, gallop, hop, skip, ascend / descend stairs, etc.), balance, and participate in activities (ball play, sports, etc.).

2. Fine motor development: The child’s ability to use his or her hands including grasping, releasing, manipulating, writing, drawing, cutting, and constructing, as well as bilateral usage, dominance.

3. Psychosocial: The child’s psychological state (affect, emotion, mood), interaction skills with children / adults / family members, abilities in relation to Erikson’s stages.

4. Language: The child’s ability to communicate expressively as well as to understand language (receptive).

5. Cognitive: The child’s abilities in relation to Piaget’s stages and concepts within those stages i.e. symbolism, categorization, number, causality, identity, conservation, egocentrism, etc.

6. Adaptive: The child’s development of self-help skills: eating, dressing, bathing, grooming, and toileting skills. (This information should be gathered from the family members rather than making observations.)

Type a 2-3 page summary of your observations using the following format:

1. Initial information: Child’s name (initials only), date of birth, chronological age, date and time of your observation, setting of the observation, individuals present during observation, length of observation.

2. Response to testing: Child’s response to “testing” – describe the child’s response to you and to the tasks you presented to him or her.

3. Developmental skills: Child’s performance and observations in each of the 6 categories: gross motor, fine motor, psychosocial, language, cognitive, and adaptive. (Use additional side-headings to correspond to these categories i.e. Gross Motor Development, Fine Motor Development, etc.)

4. Interpretation: Discussion of your interpretation of the quality of behaviors observed and the level of development as compared to chronological age. Include a discussion of the child’s strengths and challenges. What would the theorists discussed in class determine regarding the child’s developent?

5. Personal reaction: Brief discussion of your reaction to this experience and the assignment.

You must also include your raw notes with your assignment and the signature sheet indicating the date, time, and contact information for the family with whom you conducted your observation. When completing this assignment, use your course textbook as a guide. Information in the text will help you to determine what characteristics of development you should be looking for in the person you observe/interview and what is considered within normal range for the developmental stage. Refer to what the theorists expect for the particular stage of development and tell what you found in relation to what might be expected for that individual. Grading for Child Observation: (25 points possible)

_____1 Initial information: Initial information is comprehensive and clearly presented.

_____2 Response to testing: Child’s responses are outlined and

discussed. _____12 Developmental skills: The child’s skills in each of the following

developmental areas is both comprehensive and concise. (2 points are allotted for each developmental area.) Gross motor development Fine motor development Psychosocial Language Cognitive Adaptive

_____6 Interpretation: The child’s overall development is compared and contrasted with a determination made in relation to the child’s age. Strengths and challenges are presented.

_____2 Personal reaction: Your reaction to the experience and the

assignment are discussed.

_____2 Paper reflects professional language, free of grammar and language errors. Written plan and notes taken during the interview process are included with paper along with signature sheet. Use initials only for all individual subjects discussed (children and parents). Textbook and interview are cited using APA style format.

Child’s Initials:________________Date of Observation: __________________

Caregiver’s Signature:_______________________________Phone #___________ Child’s Signature: _____________________________________