Week 1 EDUC 3003 Application 2

Overview of Child Observation Project

· Part 1 (Week 1): Identify Your Child

This week, you will focus on selecting a child between the ages of three and five for your Child Observation Project and obtain parent/family permission. This child could be someone who lives in your neighborhood, a friend’s child, or a child in an early childhood community. However, you may not select one of your own children or any child you are particularly close to. You will also write a summary of the Child Observation Project to the child's family members and explain what you hope to learn from the project.

· Part 2 (Week 2): Planning Your Observations

In Week 2 you will interview the parents or very close family members of the child you selected and develop an Observation Plan that details the area of development and learning you are going to observe. To complete this assignment, you will need to utilize Appendix A of your course text.

· Part 3 (Week 3): Two Observations

During Week 3 you will conduct two observations of the child you have selected. These observations will be based on the Observation Plan you developed in Week 2.

· Part 4 (Week 4): Developing a Portfolio Plan

This week, you will identify additional pieces of assessment data you would need in order to develop a portfolio for the child with whom you have been working. Note: You will not be required to collect the data you identify.

· Part 5 (Week 5): Developing a Reporting Plan

In Week 5 you will develop a Reporting Plan for how you would share the results of the Child Observation Project with the parents or close family members of the child you selected. Note: You will not be required to implement the Reporting Plan you develop.

Note: Assignments must be completed in order.

Note: After you have identified the child you will be working with and obtained parent/family permission, schedule specific times to interview a parent or class family member (during Week 2 of the course) and conduct two observations (during Week 3). Plan approximately 30 minutes for the interview, and two 45 minute periods of time for the observations.