Assignment Overview
Observation is one of the most important skills for anyone working with children. Teachers, caregivers, and child development professionals use observation to understand how children grow, learn, communicate, and interact with their environment.
For this assignment, you will practice the skill of objective observation by watching two videos of infants and documenting what you see. Your goal is to record behaviors you observe and then analyze those behaviors using concepts from our course readings.
You will begin by taking raw observation notes while watching the videos. Afterward, you will use the Observation Guideline to organize and analyze what you observed in relation to developmental milestones.
This assignment will help you practice identifying development across several domains including:
- Physical development
- Cognitive development
- Emotional development
- Language development
- Social development
Observation Videos
Watch both of the following videos and take observation notes while viewing them.
Infant Video #1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y8YJDrirZ4
Infant Video #2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30M9HvVuiwk
Step 1: Take Raw Observation Notes
While watching the videos, take handwritten observational notes describing exactly what you see.
Your notes should focus on:
- Actions and behaviors
- Body movements
- Vocalizations or sounds
- Interactions with objects or people
- Facial expressions and emotional responses
Avoid interpreting the behavior during this stage. Simply record what is happening.
You may use the provided note-taking format to help organize your observations:This document provides examples of how to structure your observation notes using:
- A T-format description/evaluation model
- A paragraph observation format
Choose whichever method works best for you.
Step 2: Use the Observation Guideline to Analyze
After completing your raw notes, use the Observation Guideline Download Observation Guidelineto organize and analyze your observations.
The guideline will help you examine the infant’s development in several areas including:
- Physical Development
- Fine motor skills
- Gross motor abilities
- Emotional Development
- Self-awareness
- Attachment
- Temperament
- Cognitive Development
- Sensorimotor learning
- Problem solving
- Object permanence
- Language Development
- Vocalizations
- Communication attempts
- Social Development
- Emotional responses
- Interaction with others
- Play behaviors
Step 3: Write Your Analysis and Reaction
After organizing your observations, write a typed analysis and reflection describing what you observed.Your analysis should:- Explain the developmental behaviors you saw
- Connect your observations to concepts from the textbook
- Identify which developmental milestones were present
- Provide examples from your notes to support your conclusions
What You Need to Submit
Submit two items for this assignment:- A scanned copy of your handwritten raw observation notes
(10 points) - A typed analysis and reaction paper using the observation guideline
(25 points)
Final Note
Enjoy this assignment! Observing infants can be both fascinating and insightful. As you watch the videos, practice focusing on what the child is actually doing rather than immediately interpreting behavior. Developing this observational skill is essential for becoming an effective teacher or child development professional.