Application: Eye on Development, Part 1

Week 3: Observing Children 3 to 5 Years Old

This week, you are continuing to work on Part 1 of the Application Assignment for this course. The video segment you will view features children who range in age from 3 to 5 years. Keep in mind that Part 2, your assignment for Week 5, will involve learning more about these children through the expertise of the center director and the educational video host.

To complete this assignment:

Plan: Consider what you have learned about the development of children 3 to 5 years old. Click on the link below to download, print out, and review the document you will use to record your observations:

Week 3: Video Observation Guide

Observe: Watch the video segment and look for at least two examples of development in each of the following domains: physical, cognitive/language, and social-emotional development among the children on screen. Record your description of each on the Video Observation Guide. Use the information in your course text to help you recognize evidence of development, such as developing fine- and gross-motor skills; emerging knowledge of skills that support reading and writing; and interactions between and among children that demonstrate social and emotional development. Some guidelines:

·         Watch the video as many times as you need. Take notes on what you observe.

·         Use what you see and hear as evidence of physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. Be mindful to only use the evidence you see rather than make any assumptions about a child. Factors you are not aware of, such as a child feeling tired or hungry, can influence the child’s mood and behavior.

·         Remember that despite similarities shared by children of various ages, each child is different and goes through the stages of development in his or her own way. Keep that uniqueness in mind as you observe each child in the video.

·         Enjoy the segment. Use what you’ve learned this week to try to imagine the world through these preschoolers’ eyes.

Reflect: Reflect on your observations by responding to the following:

·         Describe the examples you observed that demonstrated 1) physical development, 2) cognitive/language development, and 3) social-emotional development.

·         Describe at least one example of how development in domains overlaps (e.g., children cooperating in a learning experience, thus promoting social and cognitive development). Note: If you don’t observe any examples of this, describe an example appropriate to this age group.

·         Describe differences between 3- to 5-year-old development and infant and toddler development in each of the domains: physical, cognitive/language, and social-emotional.

·         Explain at least one example of how your perception of development has changed or grown based on what you have learned this week and/or the video segment you viewed.

Submit: Write and submit a summary of your reflection. Cite specific examples from your observations and, if applicable, references to the Required Resources to support your thinking and ideas.

Assignment length: 1–2 pages

2.

Application: Eye on Development, Part 1

Week 4: Observing School-Age Children 6 to 10 Years Old

This week, you will complete Part 1 of the Application Assignment for this course. The video segment you will view this week features children who range in age from 6 to 10 years old participating in a summer program at a child care center. Part 2, your assignment for next week, will involve learning more about these children through the expertise of the center director and the educational video host.

To complete this assignment:

Plan: Consider what you have learned about the development of children 6 to 10 years old. Click on the link below to download, print out, and review the document you will use to record your observations:

Week 4: Video Observation Guide

Observe: Watch the video segment and look for evidence of continuing development, such as enhanced fine- and gross-motor skills; expanded cognitive skills and evidence of reasoning associated with late childhood; new patterns in social interaction; and evidence of maturing emotional development. Record your descriptions of each on the Video Observation Guide. Again, your guidelines include:

·         Watch the video as many times as you need. Take notes on what you observe.

·         Use what you see and hear as evidence of physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. Be mindful to only use the evidence you see rather than make any assumptions about a child. Factors you are not aware of, such as a child feeling tired or hungry, can influence the child’s mood and behavior.

·         Remember that despite similarities shared by children of various ages, each child is different and goes through the stages of development in his or her own way. Keep that uniqueness in mind as you observe each child in the video.

·         Enjoy the segment. Use what you’ve learned this week to try to imagine the world through the eyes of a school-age child.

Reflect: Reflect on your observations by responding to the following:

·         Describe at least three examples of evidence of continuing 1) physical development, 2) cognitive/language development, and 3) social-emotional development.

·         Describe at least one example of how development in domains overlaps.

·         Describe differences between school-age, 3- to 5-year-old, and infant and toddler development in each of the domains: physical, cognitive/language, and social-emotional.

·         Explain at least one example of how your perception of development has changed or grown based on what you have learned this week and/or the video segment you viewed.

Submit: Write and submit a summary of your reflection. Cite specific examples from your observations and, if applicable, references to the Required Resources to support your thinking and ideas.

Assignment length: 1–2 pages

3.

Application: Eye on Development, Part 2

Week 5: Understanding and Analyzing the Nature of Child Development

For Part 1 of the Application Assignment for this course, you watched video segments that featured children from infancy through school age. This week, you will watch a video segment that includes all of the ages and many of the scenes you have already viewed with the addition of commentary provided by the center director and an educational video host who discuss some of the developmental hallmarks represented in the children’s behaviors and interactions.

As you watch, do not focus on what you may or may not have included in your written summaries. The goal of this assignment is to enhance your understanding of child development by underscoring key information, highlighting examples of development, and providing insights based on experience in the field.

To complete this assignment:

Plan: Consider what you have learned about development of children throughout this course and the insights you have gained from the video segments you have watched so far. Then read the Reflection questions listed below.

Observe: Watch the video segment. As you watch and listen to the commentary, think about the Reflection questions and take notes to help you respond.

Reflect: Reflect on the video segment by responding to the following questions:

·         Throughout the course, you had read about and heard the term developmental continuum. As you view this video segment, what evidence/observations/insights illustrate this term? Provide at least one example and explain your reasoning.

·         Although there are skills and behaviors that are considered typical for children at certain stages of development, every child develops in his or her own unique way. In what ways is this apparent in the video? Provide at least one specific example and explain your reasoning.

·         While child development is most often discussed in terms of the three major domains – physical, cognitive/language, and social-emotional—c onsidering the “whole child” is key to understanding individual children and fostering healthy development. Describe an example from the video that underscores the importance of paying attention to all domains and supporting the development of the whole child. Be sure to explain your reasoning.

·         As you have seen, child development is exciting! It’s all about children growing and changing, learning about who they are and what they can do. Describe at least one scene or explain at least one insight from the video that captures for you the excitement of child development, the rewards of studying the field, and the benefits of learning how to support children and families in the amazing journey of development.

Submit: Write and submit a summary of your reflection. Remember to cite specific examples from your video observations and references to the Required Resources to support your thinking and ideas.

Assignment length: 1–2 pages