Toddler Observation

Student's Name Child's name Age/sex
Date of the observation
Childcare or home setting  (This section can be single spaced to save paper)

The toddler for this assignments must be between the ages of 14 to 30 months. This toddler must be observed interacting among other children. Please observe this child for at least one full hour. This period in a child's life is characterized by the quest for mastery of his or her body. This is manifested in their ability to use their gross motor skills such as walking, running, jumping, climbing. Other skills involve reaching, eating, manipulating objects, and using their hands. Take a good hour to observe the toddler in action using their interactive skills. Write down everything the child does. Pay attention to how the child uses his/her hands and body while interacting with other children and adults. What words does this child use to communicate its needs? How does he/she socialize with others? Be specific.

Please type the bold headings, for example: "Toddler Description" and the subtitles such as gross motor skills, fine motor skills.   Make sure you use 1.5 spacing or double space. You will need two or three examples in each category. Refer back to the evaluation sheet.  All papers must be stapled together with the evaluation correct form on top, then your typed observation followed by your hand written notes. Correct spelling and grammar is required.  Have someone proof read your paper before you turn it in otherwise points will be deducted.

Type in all the subtiltes.  For example gross motor skills and fine motor skill.  In the cognitive area you will need 10 different examples.  The first is sensory stimuli, then response to language, gestures etc.  See your evaluation sheet and follow that format.

1. Toddler Description: Record physical characteristics such as skin color, hair, facial appearance, ethnic background etc.

2. Motor Development Description: (gross and fine) Describe (not just list) the toddler's control of his/her coordination of its body, arms, legs, hands etc. How does s/he use her limbs to walk, jump, run? How does s/he use his arms, hands, fingers when picking up objects, (name the object) drawing or working on a project? (Note use of ulnar and pincer grasp) You will need three examples of his/her fine motor skill and two of his/her gross motor skills.  These must be different activities.

3. Cognitive Development: Describe the toddler's use of his five senses. This includes examples of taste, feel, vision, smell, and hearing. Can he/she  distinguish such things as textures, temperature changes etc.? Describe 2 different situations by using a lot of details.

4. Language development: Describe what  language skills does this toddler possess? What words does he use to communicate his needs? Give examples. How does he respond to commands and directions when someone is talking to him? What gestures does he use? Describe two of them. Is he using single holophrases or telegraphic speech? Describe two examples. Describe how he imitates sounds , movements, and words that he hears or sees. What about simple games like "peek a boo." Give 2 examples for each category. Make sure you describe the setting in which the toddler used his/her words to communicate to another person. Refer back to your evaluation sheet to see how many examples you will need in each category.

How does the toddler imitate sounds?.  Use two examples to show this.

5. Social Development: Record how she responds to familiar voices and people vs. unfamiliar. Any indications of separation or stranger anxiety? How did this child react to you when you came to observe? Does the toddler cooperate with the caregiver?  How does the toddler interact with other children?  Do they play by themselves? Give examples.

6. Emotional Development: Record how they interact on an emotional level. What emotions did they show - happiness, sad, angry, frustrated , jealousy, disappointment, etc. Describe in what context they showed these emotions, Be specific. Did they display their emotions with the other children?  Give examples.

7. What did you learn from this observation? This is your own personal experience.

5 points will be deducted for incorrect spelling, grammar, and lack of complete sentences.   I recommend  that you have someone proof read your paper before you turn it in.  See your green sheet for assignment instructions.

Make sure you tun in your hand written notes.