Posted: July 8th, 2015

Observation 1

Course Learning Objectives addressed in this assignment:
• CLO#3 – Observe, document and reflect on infant and toddler play and interactions to
plan for care and learning.
Preparation
1. Obtain permission from a parent, a family childcare home, an infant/toddler center or other facility to observe and infant/toddler and caregiver interactions. You will need two (2) to three (3) hours of observation for this assignment.
2. Complete the readings for Week Two:
• Chapter 3: Caregiving as a Curriculum and Chapter 4: Play and Exploration as Curriculum of Gonzalez-Mena, J., & Eyer, D. W. (2015). Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers (10th ed.). NY: McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 9780078110344
• Chapter 2: New Insights into Development and Learning in California Department of Education (2006). Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Program Guidelines. CDE Press. ISBN 978-0-8011-1619-3 . Retrieved on March 20, 2015 from: https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/documents/itguidelines.pdf
• Review Early Head Start National Resource Center. (2013) Technical Assistance Paper No. 15: Observation: The Heart of Individualizing Responsive Care retrieved on March 20, 2015 from https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta- system/ehsnrc/docs/ehs-ta-paper-15-observation.pdf
• Review California Early Childhood Educator Competencies. (2012). Competency Area: Observation, Screening, Assessment and Documentation. Performance Area 1 – Observation. (pp. 52-530 Retrieved on March 20, 2015
from https://www.ececompsat.org/updated/docs/ececompetencies2011.pdf#pa ge=65
3. Watch the video clip
• Clearing Your View: Staying Objective in Observation Retrieved on March 20, 2015 from https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta- system/ehsnrc/cde/saeo/ClearingYourVie.htm
4. Review the 10 Principles Based on a Philosophy of Respect from Chapter 1 of (Gonzalez-Mena, 2015)
5. Review the appropriate age and level for your observation in Appendix B – Environmental Chart of (Gonzalez-Mena, 2015)
Observation Instructions
1. You are going to practice objective focused observation as described in the Early Head Start National Resource Center. (2013). Technical Assistance Paper No. 15: Observation: The Heart of Individualizing Responsive Care, and the Clearing your View: Staying Objective in Observation video clip.
2. When entering the setting, take time to get comfortable and quietly observe for a few minutes. Sit on the floor or a low chair. Do not attempt to interact or get involved in the situation. If the child approaches you, continue to be as objective in your observations as possible. You are observing one child’s actions and behaviors. You are observing caretaker interactions as well. Whatever is happening is what you observe.
3. You will be making a running record. Follow the guidelines on pp. 9-11 of (EHNRC. 2013). Take objective, accurate notes, writing down only what you see and hear, for four separate 30-minute periods. Start your observation with a description of the environment in terms of learning and interaction. Do not try to interpret actions or behaviors; just write down what you observe. If possible, take some time in between the 30-minute periods to catch up on your notes.
4. As soon as possible after the observation, type up your notes in narrative form.
Writing Instructions, Format and Organization
Write eight to ten (8-10) pages about your experience in objective and accurate observation of an infant or toddler and caregiver. (Use the following format and instructions to complete your paper )
Background Information

List name, address, contact person and contact information for center. Provide background and/or contextual information. Describe the environment in terms of materials, organization for learning, and ease of interactions.
Observation
Write your observation notes in narrative form. Use full sentences. No interpretation is necessary. No interpretation, just your notes in full sentences. Label each 30-minute session with the time and context (place, activity).
Interpretation
Now you can reflect and interpret your notes. In this section you will connect the text and readings to your experience.
Write this section based on the questions in each of the three sub-sections, below. Use the following subheadings and write your answers to the questions underneath in narrative form. Back up your statements with text citations from (Gonzalez-Mena, 2015) and other course materials.
10 Principles Based on a Philosophy of Respect
Which of the 10 Principles from Chapter 1 of (Gonzalez-Mena, 2015) did you observe in action? Find at least two Principles in action. Explain in detail how you saw the each principle in action. Base your analysis on particular actions and behaviors you saw between teacher/caregiver and child, behavior of the child, or actions of the teacher/caregiver alone. Answer questions based on the chosen principles. For example: How did the teacher/caregiver support the principle? How did s/he show respect for the child? How did s/he support the child in solving problems? How did s/he teach trust? Model? Involve the child in what interested him or her? How did s/he support attachment? Back up your assertions with citations from the text.
Caregiving as Curriculum
Referring to the four roles of the adult in infant/toddler education (pp 32-39, Gonzalez- Mena, 2015) which roles did you see the adult engage in? Describe one role you saw played? What did the adult do which leads you to conclude they played this role? What is your evidence? How did the adult support the child’s learning? How did the adult support the child’s play? How well was it done? What was the outcome? Back your assertions with citations.
Describe one of the caregiving routines you witnessed. How did this routine promote attachment? How did it promote learning? What is your evidence? In what way did this routine become part of the curriculum? What was the outcome for the child and the teacher/caregiver? Back your assertions with citations.
Infant/Toddler Play and Learning
Describe some activity on the child’s part that appeared to be problem solving behavior. How do you know s/he was trying to solve a problem? What problem was the child trying to solve? How persistent was the child? Did the child get frustrated or bored with the problem? How do you know? Back up your assertions with citations.
Describe a play “happening” you saw the child engage in. How do you know what was interesting to the child? How did the environment support the child’s play? What kind of limits did the environment provide? Were the limits helpful or restrictive to the child? Why?
Reflection and Growth
Growth in Topic Areas
Review all three Topics in Performance Area 1 – Observation, of California Early Childhood Educator Competencies. (2012). Competency Area: Observation, Screening, Assessment and Documentation. (pp. 52-53) Retrieved on March 20, 2015
from https://www.ececompsat.org/updated/docs/ececompetencies2011.pdf#page=65
Write a self-assessment on all three Topics of Performance Area 1 – Observation, of the ECE Competency Area: Observation, Screening, Assessment and Documentation. This is an opportunity to examine your growth, where you’ve been and what else you want to learn about observing infants/toddlers and their caregivers. Your self-assessment should include what you have learned in past experiences, your strengths and areas of expertise, and what you have learned in this assignment related to observation.
How did this assignment assist you in your growth in the topic areas of this performance area? What do you know about observation of infants/toddlers and their caregivers that you did not know before? Be specific about the Competency Context within each of the three topic areas – Concepts of observation, Observational practices, and Observation. (i.e. Name the Competency Context(s) you are working in and how you have moved within or between contexts.
To continue your learning and growth in Observation, what would your next steps be? Describe how you would like to improve. Explain what you would like to explore. Describe additional skills you would like to obtain. What are your next steps?
Infant/Toddler Care and Education
What did you learn about caregiving as curriculum? Describe. How will this impact your practice with infants and toddlers?
Describe what you learned about infant/toddler play and learning that you did not know before. How did the environment play a role in the child’s play and learning?
Describe what you learned about infant/toddler and caregiver interactions. Did you witness secure attachment? How did that attachment support the child’s learning? What role did the environment play – how did it promote interactions? What questions come up for you? What else do you want to learn about infant/toddler care and education?
Write out all references used (at least 4) in APA format, on a separate page.
Criteria and Introductory
Observation Interpretation
Exemplary (5 points)
Point Value= 50 points
Proficient Emerging Needs
(4 points)     (3 points) (2 points) (8 points)     (7 points)    (5-6 points)
Missing
Total
References
APA Format:
Use the headings above and APA Format for your paper. Beneath each section header is a brief description of what should be included in that section. For more precise grading criteria, see the rubric.