Running Header: TODDLERS ARE SURPRISING LITTLE PEOPLE

TODDLERS ARE SUPRISING LITTLE PEOPLE

Julie Petrowski
IVY Tech Community College
October 3, 2015

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Samantha is a sweet, kind and innocent person and it shows in all she does. Samantha is able to
accomplish all of the signs of the developmental checklist. She engaged mostly in parallel play
with her friend and classmate which is normal for this stage. Occasionally Samantha and her
classmate interchanged and played together; however her classmate is twelve months and had
little to say. Samantha did most of the talking. Samantha spoke in short clear sentences to her
classmate as well as the two teachers in the room. The classroom ratio was one to one in this
class.
I would not expect for a toddler of just eighteen months to demonstrate all of the signs of
development listed on the checklist and that in itself seems unusual. However, I know her mother
is very sweet and encouraging and works with her in fun ways. Samantha has three older
brothers which are gentle with her. She has them to learn from as well. Samanthas father is a
teacher in a high school and they are all good examples from which to learn. I know Samantha is
learning to play the violin from her mother who is a music teacher of many instruments. I would
never have thought an eighteen month old could begin to learn the violin. She sings songs she
has heard her parents sing and it is adorable. This is proof that Piagets Theory underestimates
toddlers. (Kail, 2015, p. 107) Samantha displays mastery both in the sensorimotor stage, as she
knows where the kitchen is and where to look for the things she needs, and the preoperational
stage of Piagets four stages of cognitive development. (Kail, 2015, p. 169) Samantha also
displays Vygotskys theory of Sociocultural Perspective as she is learning from her parents and
brothers (Kail, 2015, p. 172)
Samantha seemed to know what she wants and seeks out ways to undertake the task she has put
before herself. She found what she needed in the play kitchen to make her special treats for her
teachers in the nursery. After her teachers had finished pretending to eat her delicacies they gave

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her their plates. Samantha went back to the play kitchen and washed the dishes without it being
suggested to her.
It is quite amazing what a child is capable of at such a young age. Samantha is a sweet, kind and
innocent person and it shows in all she does. She is very active. She practices things she has
watched others do and acts them out in her play. There was a time I did not understand that there
was purpose in toddlers play. Through observing toddlers I have learned they are little people
with their own thoughts and agendas. They are fully capable of being involved in their own
learning. Toddlers are amazing.

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References

Kail, R. V. (2015). In R. V. Kail, Children and their Development (p. 107). Indianapolis:
Pearson Publishers.

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Name _Julie Petrowski______________ Class EDUC 121_ Date ___10/11/15________
Purpose: Identify developmental changes that occur during the toddler stage.
Part IDirections: Observe a child between 18 and 36 months of age. Your total
observation time should be at least one hour but may be spread over several visits.
Look for the signs of development listed below and on the following pages. Record
your findings by placing a check mark in the appropriate column. If you had no
opportunity to observe a particular behavior, write Unable to observe in the
Comments column. Also use this column to record any additional details you wish
to remember.
Key to Responses
YesSkill observed
lacked this skill or characteristic

NoChild

Site: __Nursery_________________
Date(s) of Observation(s): _9/10/15______________________
Childs First Name: __Samantha__________________________________
Age in Months: _____18____________________________________
Observation
C-3 Checklist: Toddler Development Signs of Development
Physical Development
1. Walks Independently

YE
S
X

2. Climbs up stairs (Describe

how)
3. Walks down stairs
(Describe how)
4. Pushes self on wheeled toy

5. Pedals wheeled toy (i.e.

tricycle)
6. Feeds self using fork/spoon

7. Stacks two to four blocks

8. Stacks five to six blocks

9. Assembles six-piece puzzle

10.
Scribbles with a
crayon

X
X

N
O

COMMENTS

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11.
Turns pages of book
one at a time
12.
Recognizes when
diaper is soiled
13.
Uses toilet (as
needed) when taken there
14.
Asks to use toilet
when needed
Intellectual Development
1. Solves problems through
trial and error
2. Observes adults and copies
their behavior
3. Uses two-word sentences.
4. Uses three-four word
sentences.
5. Responds to yes and
no questions
6. Identifies body parts by
pointing and naming
7. Repeats parts of favorite
rhymes and stories
8. Tells about experiences
9. Follows simple instructions
(such as pick up the ball)
10.
Shows understanding
of prepositions (such as
the ball is in the box)
11.
Matches items that
are alike.
Emotional Development

X
Uses toilet no diaper
X
X
YE
S
X

Social Development

Comments

N
O
X

COMMENTS

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
YE
S

1. Shows frustration at lack of

abilities.
2. Resists cooperating or
does opposite of what is
asked.
3. Responds appropriately to
reasonable choices.
4. Shows signs of fears.

N
O

X
X
YE
S

N
O

COMMENTS

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1. Engages in parallel play.

2. Engages in cooperative
play.
3. Engages in small group
activities for short periods.

4. Shows understanding of
one or more simple rules.

5. Shares willingly.

6. Exhibits some self-help

skills (such as
washing own hands, putting
away toys).

36. In what ways did the toddler you observed seem typical of this age group?
Samantha is able to accomplish all of the signs of developmental listed. She
engaged mostly in parallel play which is normal for this stage.
37. Did any of the toddlers behavior seem unusual for this age? Explain.
I would not expect for a toddler to accomplish all of the signs of development listed
and that in itself seems unusual.
38. What signs of a toddlers increasing independence did you observe?
Samantha seems to know what she wants and seeks out ways to undertake the task
she has put before herself. She finds what she needs in the play kitchen to make her
special treats for the ladies in the nursery.
39. Has this observation experience helped you better understand toddlers? Why or
why not?
It is quite amazing what a child is capable of at such a young age. Samantha is a
sweet, kind and innocent person and it shows in all she does.