Objectives of G & D Assignment
• Study someone you know closely (observe a subject)using the knowledge gained in class and from readings from evidence-based resources.
• Analyze what was observed using the assigned growth anddevelopment theory appropriate for the age of the person observed.
Observation
• Select a person (subject) between the age of 3 years and older (over65 years).
• Include your knowledge and observations of your subjectin their natural environment. Examples are the subject’s home, daycare center, nursery school, playground, school, recreation center, job setting, or senior center.
• The observer (you) should not be directly responsible forthe individual’s care/safety at the time of a direct observation activity.
Guidelines for the Observation:
• Prior to your observation read about growth anddevelopment for the age group you will be observing.
• Use the Denver Developmental Screening Test or otherstandardized measures if appropriate for the age of the person you have selected to observe to help focus your observation.
• Take paper, pen, and a watch with you for makingnotes and timing activities during the observation.
• Do not join in the activities as much as possible. You are theobserver.
• Describe what you observe. Be as objective as possible write a rough draft of your observations immediately fromyour notes to be accurate and comprehensive as this willhelp you with writing your final paper.
Guidelines for Writing the Paper
• Based on the observation of the person, write a 4-6page, typed paper which describes the person’s behavior.
• You should describe the subject’s behaviors in relation tothe following developmental areas: physical, psychosocial, and cognitive.
• You should analyze your subject’s behaviors according torelated developmental theorists from the assigned readings in your text, as appropriate for subject’s developmental level. Use other sources such as CDC growth charts, Erickson, Kohlberg, Mahler, Maslow, Neugarten, and Piaget. (not all theories will apply to your subject).
1. Begin with an introduction that describes the setting inwhich the observations took place and individuals interacting with the subject.
2. The first part of the paper should begin with a descriptionof what the individual did during your observation.
3. Include the subject’s age, height, weight, physical appearance, actions, in the verbalizations, emotions,type of play or activity in the way in which the subjectrelated to others and to objects and the environment
4. The second part of the paper should analyze theobservation of the subject. Compare specific examples of the person’s behavior with the expected “norms” for that age group from the readings (text and/or otherreferences).
5. Keep in mind that depending on the age of the subject, some areasbelow may not apply.
Include in the Analysis:
You should analyze your subject’s behaviors according to developmental theorists from the assigned readings in your text,as appropriate for subject’s developmental level e.g., Erickson,Kohlberg, Mahler, Maslow, and Piaget.
1. Physical (Growth Charts and Textbook References)
a. What is the person’s level of physical development/abilities?
b. Are there any developmental spurts or delays, declining ability?
c. How does physical development influence play/recreation, school,work, or other activities?
2. Psychosocial (Erickson)
a. What stage of psychosocial development was observed?
b. What is the critical task for the stage and how was itexpressed in play and/or interpersonal relationships?
3. Cognitive (Piaget)
a. What is the subject’s stage of cognitive development?
b. How does the level of cognitive developmentinfluence the individual’s behavior in play, language, relations with others, etc. reading, problem solving
5. Object Relations (Mahler)
a. Where is the young child in the separation-individualizationprocess?
6. Hierarchy of needs (Maslow)
a. Describe the subject’s level of need according to the pyramid.
b. Analyze why the subject is at the recorded level of need.
7. Moral Development (Kohlberg, Piaget)
a. Describe value systems and any behaviors observed related to thisarea.
Format
• It is important to support your conclusions in the analysis withreferences.
• Do not use the first person or I. “Refer to yourself as” this observer.”
• Identify the subject by initials only. Do not use the subject’s firstname.
• Proof-read the paper and make appropriate corrections in content,spelling, and grammar.
• Use 7th Edition APA Manual format or style and propercitation of references. Use the writing lab and web resources provided on blackboard and connect to assist you with 7th Edition guidelines.
• No more than a 20% match with Safe Assign is acceptable.
