6N1942: Amani (not the child’s real name) Stands Near to table: Child Development Assignment, CPE

Recorded Observation

Amani (not the child’s real name) stands near to table on which there are name tags of students, she leans to pick her name’s tag with a little hesitance and picks the tag and pastes it on the name board. During this time, she has a smile on her face and looks pleased with this activity. She goes into her classroom and sits on the floor along with her classmates, she is smiling and has her eyes on her teacher and paying attention to what the Teacher is saying intently. She is constantly smiling and moving her body in a swinging way.

Now the Teacher is singing a song called ‘Mary’ and Amani is singing along with the teacher and continuously smiling. The teacher then reads the children a story about growing flower plants. The Teacher speaks of flower planting and tells the children that she has some seeds! She tells the children that they will plant them later and that they will grow into beautiful flowers. Amani says ‘flower’ with the teacher. The teacher asks the children what they think the seeds will need to grow. Amani says water, water loudly.

She picks another pot, a milk pot, and pours it into the teacup. She again pretends to be eating and her teacher says, ‘can you please make me a cup of tea?’ She says with a smile ‘yes’ and puts sugar in the cup. The teacher asks, ‘what are you putting in the cup?’ Amani says with a smile ‘I am putting sugar’, and pretends to add more sugar into the cup with the spoon. She is at the garden party table and ‘eating’ with the spoon and drinking from the cup. She says, ‘I have made it’ and gets off the chair. She goes back into the class and stands next to the Teacher who is sitting and singing a song to children sitting on the floor. Amani sings the song ‘Mary’ with her teacher and classmates.

You are required to produce a written project in two parts that illustrate your understanding of the importance and value of observations in Early years.

Section 1: You should discuss a range of observation techniques and link these techniques to a number of developmental theories studied.  You should discuss a minimum of five observational techniques.

Section 2: Read the enclosed recorded observation and evaluate the development of the child in all domains of development from the observation.

 Performance Criteria:

Section 1: Detailed Introduction and Background Information

• An introduction to your project
• Introduction to the concept of observation.
• The aim of observations
• Practical, ethical, and legislative considerations when conducting observations

Range of Observation Techniques

• Detailed description of the types of observational techniques available
• Rationale for choosing a particular observation technique
• Outline why clear evaluations and recommendations are necessary

Critical Analysis

• Link your chosen observational techniques to appropriate developmental theories.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of each technique
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each chosen technique.

Section 2: Evaluation of Recorded Observation

• Introduction to the Recorded Observation
• Evaluation of development in each domain of development
• Clear Links to theory
• Recommendations & Short/Medium & Long term Action Plan

Clear and concise referencing and bibliography

• Harvard System of Referencing used
• Clear in-text referencing
• Appropriate Reference List included