1

Child Study Investigation

Bethany Burgess
Ivy Tech Community College

I. General Background Information

The subject that I observed is four years old as of February 23 2016, the subject is an only
child. Her mother is expecting a second child but is early in her pregnancy and the subject is
unaware. The subjects parents were never married and have been separated for many years, her
mother was nineteen when she was born.
After birth the subjects mother stayed home for six weeks then returned to work, along with
attending classes to receive her Cosmetology license. The subjects has either stayed with her
father (who has never worked) or her grandmother, who lived in the same residence. The subject
has only ever been in the care of a family member, and has never been to a preschool or daycare.
Since the splitting up of the subjects parents, a few years back, she now spends her time between
two homes, she spend half of the week; half of Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday with
her father and the remaining days with her mother.
The subjects daily routine (with her mother) is as follows: Wake up for the day around 8:309, eats breakfast of either yogurt, eggs or pancakes; subjects mother claims her to be a very picky
eater. She enjoys to watch SpongeBob Square pants while eating breakfast. The subjects
mother is not working on the days that she has the subject so their routine will vary depending on
what they have planned for the day. On this day after eating breakfast they got dressed to come
over to play with Ryan and I. The subject picks out her own clothes and can successfully get
dressed by herself, aside from brushing her hair, which her mother does. On the drive to run any
errands they always listen to the radio or talk about what the subject sees on the drive.

II. Physical and Motor Development

Milestone
Walks down stairs

Yes
X

Easily Changes directions

while running
Throws a ball
Catches a ball
Skips
Stacks seven or more blocks
Draws recognizable shapes

Draws recognizable letters

Draws some alphabet letters
Cuts with scissors

X
X
X

Buttons Clothing

No

X
X
X
X
X

Comments
Have stairs in home,
held on to railing
No problem
No problem
With a few tries
No problem
11
Circles, squares,
triangles, hearts
Her name
Her name
Didnt have any on
hand but mother
stated she does
No problem

III. Cognitive Development

Milestone

Yes

Imagination and
symbolic thought.

No

Comment
Used toy dinosaurs for
imaginative play and a

play kitchen
Sorts objects by one
variable, such as color

Groups objects by size

Counts by rote, in
sequence

Had her separate

plastic blocks by
colors.
Has her separate
animals into large and
small. (they came with
a mom and baby
animal)
No problem

Counts three objects

accurately

No problem

Applies grammar rules

in when inappropriate

Uses grammar rules

correctly

No problem

IV. Social and Emotional Development

Milestone

Yes

No

Comments

Shows self-control
Show empathy for
others
Shows pride in
abilities by
demonstrating them to
others
Willingly helps with
chores
Plays in groups of two
or three
Joins in activities
suggested by others
Suggests activates

Checked on my son,
who is younger.
When she wrote her
name for me.

Plays cooperatively
with others
Refers to one or more
best friends
Shares willingly
Shows awareness of
differences between
boys and girls
Shows awareness of
racial or ethnic
differences
Show signs of guilt
after misbehavior

V. Your Reactions, Recommendation, and Application

Princess and the Frog

Yes, drops had after

taking a toy