Assingments % - Early Childhood Observation: Running Records and Analysis

Please post your running recordsLinks to an external site. and your analysis for the early childhood observation here. For this observation, you should be observing children between 2.5 and 7 years old. As with the infant/toddler observation, you may make an appointment and observe children through the cameras at the GCC Child Development Center (if you’d like to go into the classrooms, you’d need to have evidence of vaccination records, please let me know ASAP if you’re interested in that). If you’re not able to make it to the Child Development Center, as with the previous observation, you may observe a child you already know, you may request to do an observation at a school near you, or, with permission from their legal guardian, you may observe a child in a park or other setting. I may be asking to follow up with the guardian of the child, so please make sure you have this information. Please make sure the child is not sleeping or being required to sit and follow someone else’s instructions. We want to see the child as freely as possible. So if you’re observing at a school, you want to make sure it’s at a time where you’re able to observe the child actually engaging, responding, etc. In the same way that you did last week, please conduct a running record of children between 2.5-7, they should come close to totaling 30 minutes. Complete this as a running record – where you write objectively what you see, without opinions or assumptions. Don’t tell me the child is happy or sad, describe what you’re seeing and let me decide how they are feeling based on your description. This should be written as a narrative, not bullet points. The analysis of the observation includes at least three connections between what you observed and the terms and concepts from the readings on early childhood development. Make specific connections, tell me what you observed, what the readings said, and why what you observed is connected to what you read.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step 1: Understand the Assignment Requirements

Conduct an Early Childhood Observation: Observe a child between 2.5 and 7 years old in a natural setting (such as a classroom, park, or home) for approximately 30 minutes.
Record Your Observations Objectively: Write a running record in narrative form, describing exactly what you see without including opinions, assumptions, or interpretations.
Analyze Your Observations: Connect your observations to at least three concepts from early childhood development readings.
Submit Your Work: Post your running record and analysis in the designated section.

Step 2: Plan Your Observation

Choose Your Observation Setting: Decide whether you will observe at the GCC Child Development Center, a local school, a park, or a familiar child with guardian permission.
Schedule Your Observation: If needed, make an appointment or get permission from parents, guardians, or school officials.
Ensure the Child is Actively Engaged: Avoid times when the child is sleeping, sitting still for instructions, or disengaged.

Step 3: Conduct a Running Record

Write in Real-Time: Take detailed, continuous notes of the child’s actions, words, and interactions.
Remain Objective: Avoid personal opinions or assumptions (e.g., instead of “The child was excited,” write “The child clapped their hands and jumped up and down”).
Describe Actions Clearly: Use specific details about movements, expressions, and interactions with objects or people.

Example: The child picked up a red block, stacked it on top of a blue block, and clapped their hands. They then reached for another block but knocked over the stack. The child frowned, paused, and then tried again.

Avoid: The child was frustrated when their tower fell. (This is an interpretation rather than an observation.)

Step 4: Analyze Your Observation

Identify Three Key Concepts from Course Readings: Find theories, terms, or principles that relate to what you observed.
Make Clear Connections: Explain how the child’s behavior reflects these concepts.
Use Evidence from Your Observation and Readings: Cite specific details from both sources to support your analysis.

Example: The child’s reaction to the fallen block tower aligns with Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, specifically in the preoperational stage. According to Piaget, children in this stage engage in trial-and-error learning. When the tower fell, the child paused and adjusted their stacking technique, demonstrating problem-solving skills.

Step 5: Format and Review Your Submission

Structure Your Work:
1. Introduction: Briefly describe the setting and child observed.
2. Running Record: Provide a detailed, time-sequenced account of actions.
3. Analysis: Connect at least three observations to concepts from the readings.
Follow APA Guidelines: If referencing course material, use proper citations.
Proofread for Clarity and Accuracy: Ensure your record is well-written and free of subjective interpretations.

Step 6: Submit and Engage in Discussion

Post Your Running Record and Analysis: Ensure your work is uploaded correctly.
Review Peer Responses: Engage with classmates by reading their observations and analyses.
Respond Thoughtfully: Ask questions or provide insights to enhance discussions.

By following this structured approach, you’ll be able to complete your observation assignment effectively and confidently. Good luck!