3 Discussions and on line observations

Infant Observation

(under 12 months, non-walking)

Biosocial Development

Physical Growth:

1. Which physiological states did the infant display throughout the observation? Sleeping, awake, awake alert, active – describe.

Perception:

2. Vision: What does the infant look at? How long? What evidence did you see of visual preference? Is there evidence of habituation? Explain. (Chapter 6)

Motor Development:

3. What reflexes do you see? Describe and name. (Chapter 4)

4. Is the child able to reach a sitting position alone? Describe how this is done. (Chapter 5)

5. Describe how the infant grasps an object. (Chapter 5)

Cognitive Development:

6. What evidence did you see of object permanence or that the infant has not yet attained it? (chapter 6)

7. What stage of sensorimotor intelligence does the child seem to be in now? Describe the sensorimotor activity observed that supports this inference. (Chapter 6)

8. What objects interest the child? How does s/he use materials and toys?

Language Development: (Chapter 6)

9. From what you have observed, describe ways that the infant communicates. Describe the sounds and the stimulus for each.

10. Describe the responses to language that the infant demonstrates.

Psychosocial Development: (Chapter 7)

11. Select one infant and describe their emotional responses. Consider: stranger wariness, separation anxiety, laughs, and smiles.

13. Based on your observation describe three aspects of the infant’s temperament. (not temper)

14. If the infant is held by a person other than a parent, how does s/he accept this person? Describe his/her reactions.

Revised 8/2020

Toddler Observation

(walking infant to 2 ½ years old)

Motor Development: (Chapter 5)

1. Describe the physical movement involved when the toddler throws a ball, pounds a toy with a hammer or pushes or pulls a toy. What evidence did you see of right or left-hand use?

2. Describe how the toddler bends to pick up toys from the floor. Indicate the type of grasp that the child used.

3. Describe how the toddler sits on the floor. In what position are his/her legs? Describe how the toddler climbs on a chair and sits in it.

Cognitive Development: Chapter 6

4. Describe sensorimotor skills that you have observed. What stage of sensorimotor intelligence does the child seem to be in now?

5. Describe two ways that a toddler solved a problem.

Language Development: Chapter 6

6. Write two examples of speech you heard the toddler use. Indicate if the toddler was speaking to a child, adult or vocalizing to no one in particular; indicate the type of speech you heard. Be sure to use quotation marks for direct quotes.

Psychosocial Development: Chapter 7

7. Describe the ways the toddler approaches or interacts with other children.

8. Describe how the child relates to familiar adults as compares to

unfamiliar.

9. Describe evidence of what might be basic trust.

10. Describe observed evidence of autonomous and/or dependent behavior showing self confidence or shame and doubt.

11. Describe 2 aspects of the toddler’s temperament. (not temper)

Revised 8/2020

Preschool Child Observation

(2 ½-4 years old)

1. Describe an activity in which a child participates eagerly. Does this require large muscles or small muscles?

2. Describe the gestures and facial features used by a child to communicate.

(hands waving, smiling, pointing)

3. Listen carefully to a child’s sentence length and vocabulary. Quote the child directly.

4. Describe a time when a child was curious.

5. Watch for a child who solves a problem. Did they learn by trial and error or by another approach? Was there intervention or support by another child or by an adult?

6. Record a child’s conversation and action which shows an example of the understanding of math concepts. Quote the child directly and describe physical movements.

7. Cite an example of a child using classification or seriation in an activity or in play.

8. Quote a child who is expressing feelings or fears with words. (For example: anger, sadness, happiness, excitement, etc.)

9. If the child is quiet and low verbal, describe how s/he expresses feelings.

10. List ways that anger is shown by a child. What caused the anger?

11. Describe a child acquiring initiative or guilt? Look for things such as creative play, unusual ideas, reactions to rules, conforming.

12. Describe how a child has resolved the crisis of autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt? How does s/he carry through in personal routines and self-help skills? (serves own snack, uses bathroom on own, washes hands, puts away toys)

Revised 8/2020