Through a direct, naturalistic observation of a child in an educational setting
Through a direct, naturalistic observation of a child in an educational setting, you are to write a report on the behavioral characteristics of a child 10 years of age or younger.
Through a direct naturalistic observation of a child in an educational setting
Human Growth and Development
PSY 210
Attachment A
Observation-Instructions
Through a direct, naturalistic observation of a child in an educational setting, you are to write a report on the behavioral characteristics of a child 10 years of age or younger. You will have to obtain written permission from the child’s parent/teacher in order to conduct the observation and write the report. See Attachment B for the blank consent. You are to use the form to obtain written consent prior to conducting your observation. Place this signed consent form in an envelope, seal the envelope, and submit it with your observation. You are only to report on what you observe. See Attachment E for the rubric that will be used to evaluate your report.
Format: Your report must be typed, double spaced, and at least 3-to-4 pages in length (title pages do not count as a page). Failing to meet the minimum requirements for length will reduce your score by 3 points. You are to have a 1-inch margin on all sides. You must use a 12-pitch font. Your report must include the following sections:
Introduction: This section will describe why you chose to observe this particular age. It will include something other than “because this was the only group available.”
Background: Specify the age of the child the gender, the grade, type of school (public, private, or home schooling) and also the setting where the observation took place.
Observation: Describe what you observed the child doing. Watch and record the physical behaviors of the child (the use of hands, legs, arms, feet, and other body parts). Be attentive to and record the cognitive attributes (use the language, facial gestures, and other means of communication). Indicate the social aspects of the child (types of activities the child engaged in and the types of interactions that occurred between the child and other people, especially play activities). Further, include observations of the emotional makeup of the child (laughing, crying, excitement, joy, fear, anger, etc.)
Conclusion: In this section you will compare your observations to the material presented during class lectures and in your reading assignments. State where and how the observed behaviors were either consistent or inconsistent with the age-level characteristics presented in the text. Indicate whether the behaviors were consistent with the stated timetables of development for the particular age groups that you observed. Additionally, be sure to address all aspects of the child’s development (behavioral, cognitive, social, and emotional). You must make at least two references for each developmental aspect. You must also include specific references to the stage of Piaget’s cognitive development, Erikson’s stage of social emotional development, etc. In formulating your conclusion, you must also use the specific terminology present in the text. For instance, the child demonstrated the concept of animism by pretending that her doll was alive. Your conclusions must be based on your observation of the child.
Note: You will gain or lose a maximum of 9 points for mechanics (spelling, punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, form and appearance).
Human Growth and Development
PSY 210
Attachment B
INFORMED CONSENT FOR OBSERVATION
I____________________________am a student at Wallace Community College Selma, and I am taking a Developmental Psychology Course. As part of the course requirements I must observe a child 10 years of age or younger and write a report of my observation. I am requesting your permission to observe your child________________and report the results of my observation.
My observation will be unobtrusive, as I will observe your child in a natural setting (home, mall, library, etc). I will not interfere in the child’s activities in any way, nor will I require any action o n your part. The observation will last for approximately 30 minutes, and it will be a one-time observation.
My observation and report will be held in strictest confidence. I will not reveal the name of you or your child to anyone else. My instructor, however, will read my report. The report will also be secured in a locked file at the end of this semester, and it will be destroyed at the end of one year.
If at any point you wish to end my observation, feel free to do so.
____________________________________
Observer
____________________________________
Parent/Guardian
______________________
Date
