Assignment:
Observation Description
You will observe and write a detailed description of a child as viewed by you, the researcher. You will select and report on a child in the age range of 3 - 5 years old (preschool-age). You may choose any child EXCEPT your own, for example, extended family members, neighbors, or friends. If you have any questions or concerns regarding selection of children, contact your professor. A Case Study Permission Form is required to accompany this Case Study. You will be required to have at least one parent sign the form. Your case study will NOT be graded without this form.
Your observation should be written in formal academic language. Your observation report should be an objective evaluation using information gathered from direct observation. You may supplement this information with facts provided by the family or caregiver. Examples of objective reporting are: "The mother reports Jason feels more secure when he sleeps with his teddy bear," or "The caregiver stated that Gina shares her crayons at the art table with any child who needs crayons." The observation should NOT include subjective (opinion) statements such as: "Jason seems like a secure child," or "Gina is the nicest girl in the room." Be as thorough as possible with the data available to you. Include as much factual data as you can to "paint" a comprehensive picture of the child.
Your observation report will have two sections, Introduction and Cognitive Development. This is what your submission will include:
- APA style title page
- Observation report with two sections
- APA style reference page
- A Case Study Permission Form
Here are the two sections you will include in your report:
Introduction
Include the following descriptors:
- Give the child's name, age, and a brief description of physical appearance.
- Describe the child's environment at home and childcare/school. Including family members living in the home.
- Describe characteristics that identify the socioeconomic status of the child's family. Instead of reporting income, report items such as parents' education level, housing and neighborhood, current job, etc. Do not ask the family any personal income questions!
- Tell why you have chosen this child.
Cognitive Development
- Describe the child's current cognitive development from your observations and other sources, such as parents, teachers, grades, etc.
- Include any observations about the child's memory, attention, etc.
- Provide examples of the child's current language development. What evidence do you see that indicates the child understands spoken language? How does she express herself?
- Discuss the child's current literacy skills (reading, composition, math, technology).
- *Compare the child to the norms for children this age, using two direct quotes from the textbook with in-text citations.
Readings:
Child Growth and Development
By Linda Jones