Part 2: Observe-Reflect-Submit
Child-Adult Observation. Identify a child between the ages of 2 and 6 years to observe. This observation also needs to include an adult who is interacting with the child. The observation can take place in any setting, such as a preschool, home, park, mall, or another public setting. If you observe in a public setting, be as discrete as possible. It is recommended that you don’t write notes in front of others in a public setting, as this may attract attention. You could type thoughts into your phone, as that will not draw attention.
Using the questions below to guide you, make notes on what you observe. Pay attention to the child’s language, behavior, and social interactions. Also, notice how the adult is interacting with the child.
Reflections. After the observation, write up answers (2-3 pages) to these questions:
Describe developmental skills the child presents. Include language abilities, social skills and a general descriiption of behavior.
Watch the adult who is interacting with the child. Describe any of Baumrind’s styles of parenting you see the adult display: authoritarian, permissive, authoritative, and/or uninvolved.
What evidence do you see for the theories of Erikson, Piaget, Vygotsky, Skinner, and/or Bandura? Connect what you saw with the child/adult to relevant theories.
Include parenthetical citations and a reference list at the end. References should support your identification of child skills and your application of the parenting styles and theories. See the Assignment 4 Rubric for grading details.
