Purpose:
It is very easy to be around children without noticing fascinating aspects of their behavior. In this project, you will look for behaviors that characterize an individual child, or childhood in general. You will become a better and more appreciative student of child behavior, moving in the direction of becoming an expert observer. Finally, in writing your observation paper, you will be able to connect your observations to a variety of concepts in developmental psychology.
Procedure:
YOU CAN PICK A MOVIE WHERE YOU CAN OBSERVE A CHILD’S BEHAVIOR.
Find a child (0-12 years of age) and parent(s) who are willing to allow you to perform at least 2 hours of observation. Written permission must be obtained from one parent or guardian you should retain this signed permission slip for your records. You should also provide the parent a form signed, by you, explaining your confidentiality guidelines. You will find both forms in this folder.
Note: Because you may not have access to a child you can observe in person, you also have the option of observing a child depicted in television or a movie. You should choose a child who is on screen for at least 1-2 hours, though you should plan on rewatching footage if it’s on the shorter end.
Two hours of observation must be performed. Choose situations in which you think interesting behavior might occur. The 2 hours can be consecutive, or nonconsecutive. You should avoid direct interaction with the child whenever possible. For part of your observation period (perhaps during the first hour), observe specific behaviors by the child without focusing on one aspect of behavior exclusively. For part of the time (perhaps during the second hour), focus on specific aspects of behavior that are particularly interesting to you.
General Observation Period:
Try to observe such behaviors as: general activities, activity of specific parts of the body, attention span, play, language, parent-child interactions, peer-child interactions, eating, television viewing, etc. Assuming that everything an individual does has meaning, you will want to try to take complete note of everything the child says and does, everything that is said or done to the child, and every gesture and facial expression or movement he or she makes (!)
Make detailed notes on what you observe. Designing a chart of anticipated behaviors prior to your observation may prove helpful. Leave space for unanticipated behaviors. Then, during the observation, note how often the behaviors occur and make specific comments on the behavior.
Make sure you concentrate on the child and are not carrying on conversations, engaged in caregiving, or performing other activities at the same time.
Be unbiased and remain uninfluenced by your own attitudes and opinions when observing. Dont be judgmental or condemnatory (or fawningly loving!) just record your observations. You should also be cautious about letting any prior knowledge you have about the child influence your observations this may provide helpful context that you can communicate in your paper, but make sure to maintain a disciplined separation between observation and prior knowledge.
Note the time of your observations every 10 minutes and include reference to these notations in your paper. It is important to observe the amount and variety of activity that occurs within a specified time interval.
Specific Observation Period:
Choose at least four specific behaviors of interest to you (i.e. talking, reading, drawing, thumb-sucking, attachment, etc.). Observe the child in situations where you think these behaviors may occur.
Make detailed notes on the behavior.
Try to observe antecedents and results of the behavior. Example: Aggression, what prompted the aggressive behavior and what were the results. If you’re not able to discern this, attempt to determine the significance of the specific behavior in relationship to other behaviors.
The Paper:
Approximately 6 double-spaced pages (typed)
Purpose: To apply the theories and findings we have studied in class to the specific behavior of the child you have observed.
Approach: Re-read your notes, textbook, and any optional outside readings to determine what aspects of child development you wish to comment on relevant to the behavior of the child. Use the theories and research presented to analyze the behaviors observed. Be specific, both in regard to the childs behavior, and to the concepts it illustrates (maturation, socialization, language development, moral judgment, cognitive development, etc.).
Your paper should have the following components:
Introduction: one-paragraph. Include pertinent information about the child, such as age, gender, family structure, immigration/language learning status, special needs, etc, but do NOT specifically identify the child by their real name. You may also want to include a description of the circumstances of the observation time, place, other individuals present, etc. Again, take care not to mention any specific people, schools, or other details that would make it possible to identify the child.
General Impressions: about one paragraph. Describe some of the childs behavior or patterns of behaviors that were interesting to you, and analyze their significance to child development. Use this space to place the child within a particular developmental stage, supporting your observations with information on age-related milestones from the text. Select what you choose to include in this paragraph to show you reader how old your subject is, and how you can tell.
Specific Behaviors: 4-8 paragraphs, depending on how you organize it. For approximately four behaviors the child exhibited during the first or second hours:
Describe the behavior, in good observational detail.
Identify the concept from class the behavior illustrated.
Explain why this behavior illustrates the concept.
Discuss whether the childs display of this particular behavior is typical for his or her age.
Discuss the significance of these behaviors for the child, and for child development in general.
Wrap-Up: about 1 paragraph. Summarize your conclusions about this child and his or her current stage of lifespan development. Include any factors that you think may have impacted on the behavior of the child.
Scientific Methodology Implications: Mention faults, strengths, and limitations of observation technique as a scientific methodology for studying children. Using this particular procedure, how effectively do you think you were able to learn about this child?
Make sure to cite your sources (textbook, class materials, etc.) for any developmental psychology information you select to include.
Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.
[order_calculator]