This week, the topic is Promoting Emotional and Social Development. After completing your weekly text reading, reviewing the additional resources provided, and in doing your own outside research, complete the following three (3) step assignment:
Step 1: Select a setting in which you can complete two 30-minute observations of children socially interacting. This can be a preschool, a playground, YMCA, Girl Scout or Boy Scout event, mall play area, etc. Complete two 30-minute observations of infants, a toddlers, or preschoolers. Write objective and detailed notes on exactly what you see (i.e. How many children? What is each child doing? Is there an argument? Is there a child playing alone, and what specifically is he/she doing? How are the children interacting? etc.) Observations should be taken in 1-minute time intervals. It works well to take your phone with you and set a 1-minute timer, each time it goes off, record exactly what you see. Make sure to turn on vibrate or the ringer way down so not to disturb the natural play environment. Please utilize the chart below. Make sure to fill out completely with details about your observation. Please note that an administrator or site director must authorize all observations.
Observation 1
Observation 2
Date: Date:
Location: Location:
1- minute Time Interval Objective Observation Notes 1- minute Time Interval Objective Observation Notes
Start Time: Start Time:
End Time: End Time:
Step 2. Complete the graphic organizer below using the detailed notes above.
Types of Play
Developmental Behaviors/Explanation of Each (use your text, the videos from the Learning Materials, and outside research to complete this section. Please provide a definition for all of the sections even if it was not observed in an observation.) Types of Play Observed (you will likely see more than one type of play in one 30 minute observation. Select all that apply to your observation by placing an X next to the ones you observe. (It is not likely that all 11 behaviors will be observed within these 2 observations, but the expectation is to observe a minimum of 5) Observed Behaviors (For each X that you have identified in the Types of Play Observed column, provide a specific example of something you observed during one or more of your observations that falls in the respective categories)
Observation #1 Observation #2 Observation #1 Observation #2
Unoccupied Play
Solitary Play
Onlooker Play
Parallel Play
Associative Play
Social Play
Physical Play
Constructive Play
Expressive Play
Fantasy Play
Cooperative Play
Step 3: Compose a 1250-1500 word essay reflecting upon key concepts from this weeks assigned reading and on what you learned about Emotional and Social Development from your observations. Make sure to explain a) what new knowledge you gained, b) any contradictions about what you thought you knew about play, c) how you anticipate the observations and readings will help to make you a better teacher, and d) what will you do differently now to better develop the emotional and social needs of children with whom you work or could work with in the future. Throughout your essay, pick one or more of the following areas to connect to and support the discussion points in your essay.
Emotional Attachment
Ericsons Stages of Psychosocial Behavior
Facilitating Social Behavior
Clearly label each section of your essay so that your instructor knows which section you are addressing for the prompts. APA formatting and a minimum of three (3) citations, each from different professional references is required. Title page and reference page do not count towards minimum word amount.
