OBSERVATION – Self/social

NAME OF SITE________ KV Elementary School____________

NAME (Observer) ___ Kimberly Lopez___ DATE___10/24/17___
TIME OF OBSERVATION___1:52 P.M TYPE OF SETTING _Classroom__________
NUMBER OF CHILDREN______10_____ AGES OF CHILDREN____4-5____
NUMBER OF ADULTS_______2_______

As you begin observing focus your attention on the child’s development of self and how this
contributes and is enhanced by group experience.

SELF

1. Observe the children in the room for 15 minutes, carefully noting as many details
regarding the children’s behavior and interactions with other children and adults. Locate one
child you consider having a positive self-concept. List the characteristics this child exhibits and
the reasons you have chosen this child.
A. What kinds of feedback from others (children and adults) does this child receive?
I chose to observe 5 year old Leah Caballero. She plays with anybody around her either if
its a little boy or girl. She receives positive feedback from all the children and teachers around
her. I decided to observe her, because I can see her interacting with everyone and isn’t playing
by herself.

B. What kinds of interactions does this child initiate with him or herself and the
materials available or with other persons?
She makes positive interactions with all the kids she plays with. I see her playing with
two little girls in a play house and she is having a good time and is a sharer with all the toy
kitchen materials. Then if she is playing with the little boys they share with her with all the toy
cars and trucks.
C. How do you see this child behaving with appropriate gender identity?
I see this child behave nicely with all the other children. The little boys in her class dont
care if she is a girl and playing cars with them.
D. Describe a specific situation involving the child. Observe and record carefully what
you see and hear for 3 minutes regarding this child’s behavior and communication,
verbally and non-verbally.
I hear Leah talking to another little girl.
Leah: “Can I have that baby?”
Sophie: No.
Leah: “Please.”
Sophie: “Okay then here.”
Leah: “Thank you, Sophie.”
Both little girls start playing together moms, with baby dolls.

2. Locate a child who you do not believe has a strong positive self-image. Describe his
or her behavior and reasons for your choice. Tommy. 5 years old. Plays alone.
A. What types of interactions does this child experience? (list specifics)
Tommy has no interactions with any other little kid. The other little kids seem not to like
him, because he is very quiet, and shy. He mostly spends his time drawing and coloring instead
of playing with the toys provided in the classroom.
B. What types of feedback does this child receive?
Tommy receives positive feedback from the teachers, but when it comes to the other little
kids, he gets negative feedback, or no feedback at all.
C. Describe types of toys boys and girls played with. What was the teacher’s reaction?
​Boy toys: Toy trucks, cars, balls, and action figures.
Girl Toys: Baby dolls, Barbie dolls, play house, bouncy balls, and toy jeeps.
The teacher's reaction was surprised for how many little girls were wanting to play with the boy
toys. About 3 little girls wanted to play more with the little boys toys then their own.

SOCIAL

1. List examples of children cooperating and sharing with each other (be specific)

2 little girls were sharing with their baby dolls. By one taking care of a baby then
switching every now and then with them.

3 little boys were cooperating with one of the teachers for when she would say wait their
by the door and I will give you your snack. When it seemed like one of the little boys was tring
to grab another little boys snack.

2. Observe a child performing a routine activity such as mealtime, preparing for

naptime, or a toileting experience. Describe the manner in which the child conducts
him/herself during this activity, pointing out appropriate behavior and areas of growth this
child still has to achieve.
By observing Leah through naptime, she seemed very restless. She first grabbed her
blanket, a pillow, and stuffed animal. Laid down on the ground next to a much bigger pillow that
was on the floor. She looked like she couldn’t fall asleep as fast enough as the other children did.
She was the only one awake from all the other children. I believe it would be a good idea if the
children got a warm glass of milk to fall asleep faster. She doesn’t seem to have much to
improve on, because I believe that the teachers should give them all warm milk for all the
children to try to fall asleep.

3. Observe children in a group experience. Describe one that is able to participate in a

group experience such as story time. Write out a three-minute segment of what the child
does, says, giving specifics of body actions and facial expressions.
As I observe the kids sitting in a small circle around the teacher to read a book to them I notice
that one of the little boys was making a lot of noise while she read. He kept on getting up and
moving around to sit somewhere differently. He would bother other little kids sitting around next
to him by either slapping them on the legs or arm. If it was a little girl he would pull on their
hair. He wasn’t a well behaved little boy. He made a mean face every time they would tell him to
stop.
4. Observe and record a child in a group experience who is less able to participate
effectively in a group. Describe what happens. Be sure to include:
A. The feedback the child receives and the child’s reaction to this feedback. Describe.
That same little boy who wasn’t behaving very good during storytime wasn’t allowed to
participate anymore during story time with his classmates and teacher. He got negative feedback
from the other children and teachers around him. The teacher would let him know how bad he
was behaving too. He reaction to the feedback was very sad and he began to cry when he got
yelled at.
B. How would you change the environment or interact with this child to increase his or
her chances for a successful experience?
I would first liked to talk to him a lone and see how he reacts being alone with the
teacher and see how he feels. Then talk to his parents to see why their child has been
misbehaving a lot and see if he is misbehaving at home as well.

5. In a 1 page summary answer the following:

· Define self-concept and list ways the teacher can enhance the self-concept of a child in
this program.
· Describe the value of social experiences for young children in this program. How is
their social development promoted?
· Provide specific ways you would enhance children’s self and social development in
your classroom.
 First self-concept means the view one has of herself and her abilities. A child's
self-concept begins to develop at birth. It begins with how adults respond to her. Parents and
caregivers create a positive emotional bond with an infant through warm and caring interactions.
For children to enhance their self-concept teachers should facilitate self-praise, promote
individual responsibility for choices, help youth set realistic goals, emphasize positive
interactions with other children, and establish a warm, comfortable environment as well.
The value of social experiences for young children in the program is very important. The
children will be able to find themselves and be able to make new friends. Their social
development can be promoted with encouraging the child to try new things, making sure that you
show your feelings toward them, as well as establishing daily routines.
The way that I would enhance children’s self and social development in my future
classroom would be to model appropriate social behavior by how to greet someone new or how
to share a toy during play. By talking about what you’re doing as you’re doing it the child will
better understand how to manage the situation and replicate it, even when you’re not there,
support self-esteem by making it a point to compliment children on their behavior, how they
look, and progress they have made toward goals. When you acknowledge these attributes,
children learn how to perceive and act upon their feelings in a healthy way. Building problem
solving skills by asking children “What would you do?” or offering alternative strategies will
help them develop effective reasoning skills and mental flexibility. Encouraging exploration, and
play is another great way to enhance a child’s self and social development as well.