Child Observation Assignment printable pdf download

PSY 244

CHILD OBSERVATION ASSIGNMENT

For this assignment, you will have an opportunity to observe a child in a naturalistic setting. You

will conduct your first observation early in the semester, before you have encountered many of

the theories or findings from developmental research. You will conduct your second observation

later in the semester and will be asked to apply information learned in the course to what you

observe.

Child Observation (Time 1 and Time 2)

Observe an infant, toddler, preschooler, or elementary school age child (i.e., birth to 10 years) in

one of his or her naturalistic settings. You may observe the child in his or her home, a daycare

center or family daycare, preschool program, or school program. The child who you observe

cannot be a child with whom you have lived or are living. Please schedule your visit by calling in

advance and be sure to keep the appointment. Also make sure you obtain written consent from

the parent, teacher and/or caregiver at the home or center/daycare/school before you conduct the

observation (see Consent Form below). You will need to hand in the signed consent form with

your assignment. For this assignment, it is NOT permissible to observe a child in a naturalistic

setting like a park or shopping mall because you will not know for sure how long the child will

stay in that setting and there might not be an adult from whom you can gain permission.

Remember that you are there to observe, not to interact with the child(ren) or the adult(s). Try to

avoid engaging the child(ren) in a conversation. If a child approaches you and wants to interact

with you, politely inform the child that you are working and that you cannot talk or play right

now.

Please respect the confidentiality of the child(ren) and adult(s) that you observe by referring to

them by first initials only (e.g., “J”) or by a pseudonym in your written paper.

Plan to spend about one hour observing the child. Take detailed notes, keeping in mind the

requirements of the written part of this assignment (see below), and save them. These notes will

help you write the paper following the observation and you will need to hand in your notes with

your assignment.

Paper Assignment (Time 1)

Prepare a 3-page double-spaced paper (not including your observation notes) that demonstrates

your ability to be a critical observer of children’s behavior. Paper should be typed in 12 point

font with 1 inch margins. Be sure to include the following in your paper:

1. A description of significant elements of the child and the setting in which the observation

took place. Although you do not need to address all of the following, some examples of things to

include would be: What is the age and sex of the child that you observed? Where and with whom

did the observation take place? Was anyone else present during the observation? How many

children were present? How old did they seem to be? How many were boys and how many are

Child Observation Assignment