Write a journal

FS 1513 Journal Submission II Template

Name	Type your name here		Age range	6-11 months
Place	Child care Center		Subject’s gender	Male
Date	Click here to enter a date.
Session Time	9.00 a.m.	Click 2.00 p.m.		General Comments
	Beginning	End		The observation is at a child care center for nurturing children at the infant stage
Hours	5 hours	15 hours
	This Session	Cumulative
	Anything less than 1 hour will not be counted

Domain

Indicate the domain you are reporting for Select from the pull down list

Anecdotal Notes (Summary of the events you observed, or what happened)

The observation involves an infant of 10 months who is of male gender. The observation focuses on the cognitive and language development of the subject. The following was observed: a) Building blocks and stacking them back repetitively, b) Clapping hands and head motions, utters words in copying manner, c) Bounces along to music, d) Responds by looking in the direction their name is called and shouts on occasion e) Babbles words and makes sounds to express some emotion

This part should:

1. Provide information that is easy to understand (coherent)

2. Provide information enough detail to illustrate development within the indicated domain

3. Focus on a specific event or behavior

4. Be written objectively (i.e., avoid judgments and subjective interpretations)

Application: What is illustrated, or demonstrated, by these events based on topic presented in class and/or the book?

One of the development traits observed is physical which entailed movement of body and coordination of arms and legs. The second development trait is mental development including responding to sound such as his name, bobbing head to music and showing curiosity over strayed objects and building and rebuilding of toy stacks. The development traits align with at least two theories of Piaget theory of cognitive development and the behavioral theory of language.

The Piaget theory of cognitive development indicates that the infant is at the sensorimotor stage where the child is showing curiosity and starts to explore his environment such as clapping hands in a copying manner and bounces to music. In addition, his motor skills are put to task such as sitting upright and turning head to follow activities in the room. The behavioral theory asserts that language is learned through operant conditioning and which are enhanced through copying, and reinforcement. In this case, the infant claps hands and moves body in tandem to what the adult is doing as well as uttering words through reinforcement.

This part should:

1. Identify at least 2 – 3 developmental traits and/or abilities that were observed

2. Identify and use at least 2 – 3 theories to explain what was observed

3. Accurately interpret the developmental traits and/or abilities using the selected theories

4. Be fully supported by observation notes above.

Reaction/Learning (What you learned)

The observations made on the infant were insightful in that the child was on schedule with the expected development milestones at 10 months. Although, the child did not seem inclined to try to stand up while being supported, he was not able to do so independently in comparison to some of his counterparts. However, based on development theories children have varying development milestones and based on the theories the child is on the right track in terms of cognitive and language skills based on how curious and interactive he is such as shouting random words at others or moving to objects placed at varying positions.

Objectively, the child needs more reinforcement and stimulation such as encouraging him to copy words and imitate actions to expand their vocabulary and independence. Even so, the child projects developing strong social skills based on curiosity of others in the room as well as playing objects and multiple facial expressions to communicate their current temperament. Personally, it allows for more appreciation of childhood development milestones which need to be celebrated as part of growing up and professionally, it encourages the need to appreciate slow but sure progress in career development without skipping any important stages.

Responses should:

1. Demonstrate awareness of the assumptions that you are making as you observe and interpret the information

2. Demonstrate critical thinking about what you observed and the theories that you applied

3. Provide some insight about the behaviors that were observed

4. Indicate how what was learned can be applied in your personal and (hopefully) professional life.