CD 58 Infant Observation

Spend two hours observing one infant from 6 to 13 months.  During this time, do not interact with the infant but merely watch and observe what the child is doing.   Pay close attention to the details of the child's behavior, including body language.  Jot down everything you observe as you see them.  More information will be covered in class.

Describe the infant in detail.  Where did the observation take place?  How old is the infant?

You should pay special attention to the following domains.  The examples must be different each time.

Physical Characteristics:

Describe the following fine motor and gross motor skills in detail and give one example in each category.  The example will be written in a a descriptive format.  Each example will be at least four sentences long for each category.  Bold all the headings.  Example: Physical Characteristics, feeding, pick up toy, transfer objects etc.

How does he/she nurse, drink from a bottle or cup, close his/her lips on a spoon to remove the food?

How does the infant pick up, or reach for a toy? Name the toy or object.

How does s/he transfer a toy from one hand to another? (ulnar/pincer grasp)

How doe s/he use their forefinger to pick up small items, turn pages of a book, scribble, etc.? (Pincer grasp)

How does s/he roll over, get into a sitting position, crawl, stand, cruise around holding onto the furniture or walk?

Language Characteristics:

Describe the following in detail and give example and give one example in each category:

How does the infant turn his/her head in the direction of voices, respond to voices, or sounds heard?

How does s/he listen, cry, coo, whimper, gurgle, and make a variety of sounds.

How does s/he imitate sounds?

How does s/he carry our simple commands?

How does s/he use words such as mama, dada, etc. and in what context?

Cognitive Development:

Describe the following in detail and give at least one example in each category.

How does the infant recognize familiar objects? Name the object.

How does the infant use his/her senses? (There are five senses).

How is s/he able to remember games such as peek a boo and toys from a previous day?

Does the infant display the concept of object permanence?  If no why not?

How does s/he solve simple problems?

Social /Emotional Characteristics:

Describe the following in detail and give at least one example in each category.

Smiles back at adults, recognizes the primary caregiver.  Shows signs of discomfort on separation from the mother.

Participates, laughs at patty-cake and peek a boo games.

Withdraws or cries when a stranger approaches.

Plays by himself or interacts with other children.

Offers and gives a toy to the parent or caregiver.

Turn in your hand written notes

What did you learn from this observation?

Points will be taken off for lack of complete sentences, correct grammar, and spelling.  I suggest you have someone proof read your paper before you turn it in.  Make sure the Infant evaluation sheet is stapled on top.  Your hand written notes goes in the back behind your typed paper.  Use double spacing and black ink.  Times Roman and Arial are accepted.