Samantha Ulloa

Week 1
Chapter 1: Getting Started
Facts Reflection
Why Observe  Children can sometimes climb on top of table or
Safety playing violently with others so calming the
 Seeing a potentially dangerous situation and situation s helpful to prevent any injuries.
rushing to prevent an injury is the most basic
example of observe-decide-act.
Physical Health  Sometimes the parent may not catch a child’s
 Recognizing the signs of sickness or disease is sickness so this is where the teacher comes in
another reason to observe, decide, and act. This and observes. Some of these diseases can be
also can protect the physical health of others. contagious such as a pink eye so it is important
to catch it before it is too late.
Know the Child  Not all children learn the same so implementing
 Watching a child reveals personality and different learning styles will help the student
learning styles and could give clues to teaching learn the context better.
strategies
Assistance  Vygotsky mentioned a concept called ZPD (zone
 Adults help children with tasks that are too hard of proximal development) which is the process
for them. Observation may indicate that help is of scaffolding the child until they are able to do
needed those tasks on their own.
Curriculum Planning to Extend Learning  Presenting material that interest the child will
 Providing materials, activities, and only beneficial because they will better
opportunities to build on that observed understand the subject. Such as incorporating
development will capitalize on it games that is entertaining and fun.
Communication with the Child  Providing that one on one with the child can
 This may involve more conversation with the really help the child through any difficulties.
child, or the family, to get a better Some children need more detail explanation to
understanding of the background knowledge really understand the subject. Having the child
leading to the answer explain the steps first, the teacher is then able
to see where they are going wrong.
Communication with the Family  Sending weekly reports of the child behaviors
 Observation gives descriptive accounts of the can be helpful to the parents. This can be either
child’s behavior and skills from the point of good or bad behavior. Also having a chart in
view of achievement rather than deficit class so it can motivate students to behave
better
Guidance  Sending the child straight to punishment has no
 Redirection is better than discipline or learning aspect into it. Therefore, it is important
punishment. to inform the child on their wrong doings and
explain there could be consequences if done
again.
Measure Progress, Assessment, Evaluation  Gathering information throughout the year
 In order to measure progress, teachers watch provides an insight on child’s development. This
children to gather information. could be passed onto their next teacher so that
can see and understand the child better.
Referral  This could relate to any unusual behavior seen
 Further reflection and closer observation of out of nowhere. Maybe seeing signs of abuse.
behavior over time may warrant discussing a Also relate to health issues such as hearing or
concern first with the family or other speech delays in development. It is always to
professionals within the agency, and then make sure than to be sorry if a horrible incident
perhaps suggesting a referral to the family. occurred.
Self–Reflection  Self-Reflecting as a teacher is important to
 By closely watching what keeps a child involved, understand if certain activities are still
the observer can learn what skills the child is appropriate for this class. It’s like using the same
working on and modify activities to meet those PowerPoint for over 5 years when there has
needs. been new information after those many years.
Accountability  Many schools do this by testing the child to
 Proof is needed to show that children are analyze if the teachers are doing a good job at
learning and meeting the standards and teaching what is necessary. This may be
expected outcomes. important because if the school is being funded
by the government, then they want to put
money on something that is doing great.
Why Write It Down?  I personally relate to this because if I do not
Remember remember to write it down in my planner then I
 I’ll remember this and write it down later.” will mostly likely forget. I use my agenda almost
Everyone has said this and then not written it every day to keep track of important dates.
down.
Compare  Statements that are written are much more
 Written observations that are thorough, reliable than presenting nothing but what you
objective, regular, and done during daily remembered. With written statements, it is
routines and child-initiated play are accurate much more believable that is factual and not
measures of the child’s progress. contain much bias because it was observed.
Amplify Later  I usually do this with my notes where I date the
 A few strategic notes written and dated at the day it was taken and then go back and rewrite
time can be just enough to jog the memory for those notes if they seem messy or I didn’t
a longer, more complete narrative written later. understand a certain aspect.

Catch and Preserve Details  Some of the smallest details can actually be an
 Without some method of tracking, there is no important and determining factor. So even if it
way to recall details like these that can yield may seem unimportant at the times, it is still a
important information. great habit to take note on a small details a child
did for future reference.
Serve as Literacy Role Model  This could tend to happen when a child is
 The importance of the written word is presented with a new word but seem to forget
emphasized when children see its usefulness the meaning since their role models are using
and practical application by their role models, the word. A great way to improve this is by
the adults in their lives. sending the certain vocabulary home and
encourage parents to use that word throughout
the week.
Document  Documentation becomes a vital aspect in a
 Recording methods that include facts rather classroom to prevent any false inferences of a
than inferences along with the date and time of child.
the recording are essential to meaningful
documentation.
 Why, When, and Who  As the weeks go by it will be interesting to see
Why Use Different Observation Methods? the different observation techniques and take
 While the recording methods in Week by note on how I can apply this in the future.
Week are paired with a specific area of child
development, most of the methods can be used
for assessment of any area of development.
When to Observe?  I think it is important to note that although it
 While observing play, every domain of may seem fun to interact with the child but the
development can be assessed by documenting process of observation is to see how they do
behavior and analyzing it for indicators of certain activities on their own.
development.
What Are the Roles of the Observer?  While planning out certain daily activities, there
 Using routine times in the day, play times, or should be motive and the desired outcome.
specially constructed activities allows the Such as seeing the child’s motor skills or how
teacher to be unobtrusive and yet carefully they interact with other children.
observe.
Building Child Development Portfolios  There is an abundance of instances that can
Child Development affect the child’s development. Even when the
 Development is influenced by social, emotional, child is in the womb, what the mother does is
and cultural contexts. important to prevent any delays on the child. As
the child grows, providing comfort and positive
experiences will have great outcome on the
child.
Portfolio Assessment  Every child should be challenged when it is the
 The role of the teacher is to provide physical right time so they continue to learn. With
and psychological safety and intellectual positive enforcement and guidance, it will help
challenge to each child. the child overcome those obstacles.
How to Use This Book  This is useful in very profession as it serves as a
Standards guide of what is expected and to meet those
 Almost every profession has established requirements to the best of your ability.
standards for itself and its constituents to
describe the guiding principles and practices.
Learning Objectives  At the end of the chapter, I can back to the
 There are learning goals listed at the beginning Learning Objectives and see if I truly understand
of each chapter so that you can see what the majority of the material. If not I can always
learning is expected of you as you complete go back and review.
each chapter

Using the Record Method  After reading through the different ways of
 The advantages and disadvantages are recording, I can then determine what would be
reviewed, and suggestions are given for how to more useful for certain occasions.
find the time in a busy classroom to use the
method efficiently.
Looking at … Child Development  Having that guide while observing is a great tool
 Each chapter also presents a discussion of one so that I am not completely lost when it comes
domain or area of child development so you will to observing children on my own.
know what to look for when you are observing.
Features Within the Chapter  Having other perspectives such as the author or
 These anecdotes illustrate points about child her college students gives an insight of what to
development from children I have known and expect and what not to do.
mistakes I have made that taught me what not
to do.
Features at the End of the Chapter  Sometimes the child may want that privacy so it
 Talking to the child in front of the family should is important to ask the child first if it is okay to
also be done considerately. share with their family. And as mentioned in the
book, when talking with the family, explaining
their accomplishments makes them more
confident on their studies.
A Word About Some Words  Being familiarize with the terms in your
 Every profession has terms that are common to profession is beneficial to truly understand what
people who work in that field. others are talking about. So if there are any
confusions, asking would be great to get that
confirmation.
The Week by Week Plan  Although they may be mentioned once, going
 In real life, the areas must be revisited back and making sure to use those techniques
repeatedly to accomplish the objective of multiple times to cover every area.
seeing change over time