...Portfolio of Child Observations | 1 The Brief: Observation report instructions: carry out three observations of the same child, one must be timed, one written and the other your own choice. In all the observations you must look at the child's physical, language, and social skills and ultimately their overall cognitive development. The report must be written up in the format: abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion and analysis. In the discussion and analysis you must tie together what you have observed with the theory of what would be expected of a child of the appropriate age. The report must contain the following: Abstract: where you outline briefly what you did and why, what you found and the recommendations, Introduction: include information about the child observed, discuss the reasons for observing, assessing young children, ethical considerations, the use of norms, cultural bias etc. Methods: where you explain the methods used, reasons for choice, limitations, strengths and weaknesses. Results: evaluate the child's holistic development, list the three areas of development, physical, social and language, discuss the links between these areas, refer to the stages of development and child development theory in making your judgments. Discussion: summarize your findings, make recommendations for the child's learning and development. Bibliography Overall: mention why is it important to observe young children, what might the information be used for? What rights...
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...Early Childhood Research Quarterly 19 (2004) 375–397 The early childhood classroom observation measure Deborah Stipek∗ , Patricia Byler School of Education, Stanford University, 485 Lasuen Mall, Stanford, CA 94305-3096, USA Abstract This study assesses a new measure of early childhood classroom practice in 127 kindergarten- and first-grade classrooms. The measure was designed to be appropriate for classrooms serving children from the age of 4–7 years. It assesses the nature and quality of instruction as well as the social climate and management of the classroom. Two separate scales assess the degree to which constructivist, child-centered and the degree to which didactic, teachercentered instructional practices are implemented. Findings indicate that the measure produced reliable scores and meaningful, predictable associations were found between scores on the observation measure, on the one hand, and teachers’ self-reported practices, teaching goals, relationships with children, and perceptions of children’s ability to be self-directed learners, on the other. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Keywords: Early childhood; Classroom observation; Teaching; ECCOM; Measure 1. Introduction Political and public concerns about improving education have been fueled recently by reports highlighting the number of students, particularly from economically disadvantaged homes, who fail to achieve minimum academic standards. The National Center for Educational Statistics (2002)...
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...Acknowledgements This report would not have been possible without the support of two research assistants, Caroline Scott and Karin Barty. We thank them for their enthusiasm for the project and the many hours they spent searching the literature. The Early Childhood Education Research Team would also like to acknowledge the parents, primary school teachers, school principals, early childhood professionals and other support staff who were willing to provide their views on what they considered to be a successful transition to school. A very special thank you to the kindergarten teachers who, at the time, were very busy writing Transition Learning and Development Statements yet somehow put time aside to answer our questions. Finally, we would like to acknowledge the support and colleagueship provided by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, especially Pippa Procter, Gina Suntesic and Karen Weston. This has been an interesting and stimulating project for us all. The Early Childhood Education Research Team Victoria University December, 2009 Table of Contents Acknowledgements Introduction • Background • Purpose Methodology • Literature Review • Participants • Data Collection • Victorian Early Years Learning & Development Framework (Victorian Framework) • Outcomes • Indicators • Measures • Tables Outcomes & Indicators of a Positive Start to School • For Children • For Families • For Educators • Table 1: Outcomes & indicators of a positive start to school...
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...Characteristics of professional development linked to enhanced pedagogy and children’s learning in early childhood settings: Best Evidence Synthesis July 2003 Characteristics of professional development linked to enhanced pedagogy and children’s learning in early childhood settings: Best Evidence Synthesis October 2003 This report is one of a series of best evidence syntheses commissioned by the Ministry of Education. It is part of a commitment to strengthen the evidence base that informs education policy and practice in New Zealand. It aims to contribute to an ongoing evidence-based discourse amongst policy makers, educators and researchers. The best evidence synthesis approach is being developed in collaboration with researchers. It draws together in a systematic way the available evidence about what works to improve education outcomes, and what can make a bigger difference for the education of all our children and young people. Prepared for the Ministry of Education Authors Linda Mitchell and Pam Cubey Copyright © Ministry of Education PO Box 1666 Wellington ISBN 0-478-18773-4 Web ISBN ISBN 0-478-18774-2 www.minedu.govt.nz Characteristics of professional development linked to enhanced pedagogy and children’s learning in early childhood settings Best Evidence Synthesis Report prepared for the New Zealand Ministry of Education Linda Mitchell and Pam Cubey July 2003 New Zealand Council for Educational Research P O Box 3237 ...
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...The project approach Katz, Lilian G. Scholastic Early Childhood Today12.6 (Mar 1998): 43-44. Turn on hit highlighting for speaking browsers by selecting the Enter button Abstract (summary) TranslateAbstract Engaging children in active investigations of topics that have personal meaning for them can enhance a curriculum and a child's desire to learn. Projects are ways to help children answer their own questions and learn more about the world. Full Text * TranslateFull text * Headnote Enhance your curriculum by engaging children in active investigations of topics that have personal meaning for them. Projects are ways to help children answer their own questions and learn more about the world. A PROJECT IS an in-depth investigation of a topic worth learning more about. The study is undertaken by a small group of children within a class, by a whole class, or occasionally by an individual child. The key feature of a project is that it is a research effort focused on finding answers to questions about a topic posed by children, the teacher, or both. Rather than simply seeking right answers, the goal of a project is to learn more about a topic. The Place of Project Work The project approach should be seen as complementary to the more informal parts of the early childhood curriculum. Project work is not a separate subject; it provides contexts for applying specific skills learned in other parts of the curriculum. Nor is project work an "add on" to the basics; it is integral...
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...Report on the Vocational Area of Childcare Author’s name: Marta Gomez Saavedra Name of department authorising report: The Department of Childcare Date of Submission: 22-1-2015 Circulation List Jane Fitzpatrick Annette Barry Other Teachers in the Department Acknowledgements I wish to thank the following individuals and organisations who helped in the compilation of the report: Jane Fitzpatrick Annette Barry etc Table of contentsPage No Title of report1 Circulation List 2 Acknowledgements 2 Table of Contents3 Terms of Reference4 Method of Procedure4 Findings5 Conclusion Recommendations Appendix Bibliography 1. Terms of Reference “The purpose of this report is to investigate and compile a profile of the vocational area of Childcare under the following headings: Education and training Career opportunities and progression and employment opportunities Challenges Legislation And, choosing one particular career option, to make recommendations on the steps necessary to achieve employment in that chosen career.” 2. Method of Procedure 2.1Research was conducted on the internet 2.2 Prospectuses from third level colleges in Ireland and England were reviewed 2.3 Information seminars organised at the college were attended 2.4 2.5 3. Findings 3.1 Education and Training 3.1.1 Early Childhood Care & Education, Cork College of...
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...This essay will aim to look at how curriculum and assessment are being operated in two different early years settings. The settings under examination are 3-5 year olds and 5-8 year olds. We will start with the definitions of curriculum and assessment and the relationships between them. After that, I will explore similarities and differences between approaches to curriculum and assessment in the two settings. Curriculum is an integrated system drawing together every element for learning and teaching, including learning outcomes, learning areas, teaching strategies, evaluation and assessment to help with children’s learning progression (MacLachlan, Fleer& Edwards, 2010). Curriculum refers to “all the experiences, activities and events, whether direct or indirect, which occur within an environment designed to foster children’s learning and development” (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations [DEEWR], 1996). Early childhood educators regard ‘the curriculum’ as a guidance of learning instructions and assessment (Baxter, 2012). A good curriculum can offer the expert guidance, evidence of effectiveness and flexibility. It enables early childhood educators to draw upon a comprehensive view of early years education linked to their own observations and experiences; therefore educators set up and modify learning programs accordingly and timely (Early Childhood Australia, 2013). Assessment can be described as the process of finding out what children know, understand...
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...EFFECTS OF EVALUATION AND MONITORING OF ECDE PROGRAMMES ON PERFORMANCE OF ECDE CHILDREN IN KIPLOBOTWO ZONE, LONGISA DIVISION, BOMET COUNTY. PRESENTED BY CHEROTICH NAOMI INDEX NO. 50802011 A Research project Report submitted to Kenya National Examination Council in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Diploma in Early Childhood Development and Education of Longisa ECDE Teachers Training College. November 2011 DECLARATION AND RECOMMENDATION DECLARATION This research project is my original work and has not been present for the award of diploma in this or any other college. Signature_______________________ Date_______________________ Name: Cherotich Naomi Index No. 50802011 RECOMMENDATION This research project has been submitted with the approval of college supervisor. Signature________________________ Date________________________ Name: Mrs Lena Rono DEDICATION Dedicated to my beloved husband, Tim, Max, Mom and Dad, and anyone else who baby-sat for me so that I could go to college and write this research. Thanks to Mary, Lilian, Jacob, Christine and Anne. Thanks to Joseph for reading my research and urging me on. Thanks also to my editors, Winnie and Norah. Thank you Mum and Dad again for supporting me. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would wish to express my sincere gratitude to our Almighty...
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...For my middle childhood observation I chose a 10 year old female by the name of Mycah Landry. Just to give you a bit of a background, Mycah attends a magnet school and makes straight A’s. She is a very smart young girl. We will start off by comparing Mycah’s physical development to that of Berger’s in the text. As documented in the text “Unlike infants or adolescents, school-age children’s growth is slow and steady. Self-care is easy –from brushing their new adult teeth to dressing themselves, from making their own lunch to walking to school. In these middle years, children depend less on their families and do not yet need to cope with the body changes and impulses of adolescence. Muscles become steadily stronger.” From my observation I gathered that Mycah is a very independent individual. She is the middle child, and the only girl so she has a nurturing side to her and wants to take care of both of her brothers. She is able to dress herself, clean, and cook simple meals. Berger goes on to discuss health problems in middle childhood. Asthma was one of the topics covered in the text and coincidently, Mycah has suffered from asthma. Simply put, asthma can be defined as a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that makes breathing difficult. Of course she uses an inhaler as needed to cope with her asthma, but according to her parents she also had to get steroid injections at one point because her asthma attacks would become more frequent. Now that her asthma is under control...
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...focus is to provide a stimulating early care and education experience which promotes each child's cognitive, physical, social and emotional development. Our program is designed for children aged 3 and 4 years old. We aim to provide a safe, happy, caring and stimulating environment where your child can learn through encouragement, sensitivity to others and mutual respect while at the same time encouraging each child to express his own personality through imaginative and creative play. Our program offer children opportunities for learning, play, taking part in arts and crafts, children will be able to work and play in small and large groups, both inside the classroom and outdoors. In our main class we include a library’s corner; we reinforce all skills about communication, reading and writing. Through stories, children learn to appreciate language, gain new vocabulary, and learn to use new words and concepts, we provide a separate motor’s room as well offering the children organized games and gym based program and an outdoor play area with a wide range of toys, slides, playhouses… and also we have a garden area that the children use to grow flowers and vegetables. Spanish language is an integral part of our curriculum. Teacher introduces Spanish through songs, games, instruction, greetings…This program is designed for children who have no prior knowledge of Spanish. We enjoy open communication with parents, we provide highly detailed daily report forms and diaries for each child...
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...importance of the terms applied and interdisciplinary as they help to define the field of child development. Interdisciplinary is when it has grown through the combined efforts of people from many fields of the combined efforts of people from many fields of study. When it comes to applied it is added to an experiment or study theory and it can be changed. 2. List the age periods researchers use to study child development, and cite and describe the three domains in which development is often divided. There are six periods researchers use to study child development. The first is the prenatal which is conception to birth. Next is the infancy and toddlerhood which is from birth to two years. Early childhood is next and that stage is two to six years old. Then it’s the middle childhood which is from six to eleven years old. Adolescence follows after which is from ages eleven to eighteen. Next is the emerging adulthood which is eighteen to twenty five years old. With age periods there is also three domains in which development is divided. First is physical which includes change in health, functioning of the body system, perceptual and motor capacities, body size proportion and appearance. Next is cognitive which describes changes in intellectual abilities. Last is emotional and social, which are changes in emotional communication, interpersonal skills and relationship, moral reasoning and behavior, self-understanding, and knowledge about others. 3. Explain the role of theories...
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...Abstract Researchers seek to gain understanding of phenomenon through observations and interviews in a given setting - and in the analysis to faithfully communicate to others the results of their study. The key is for the researcher to present the understanding from the participants’ perspective and not the researchers. The researcher can also employ outside methods to validate information. All ethical guidelines are applied in the process and participants were made aware of the study. The important ideas of research design and approach were applied in developing and performing the research. Data collection methods that are valid and reliable were applied in the study. Research Simulation - How do fostering physical activities in children relate to child outcomes including family attachment, physical fitness level and obesity, social skills and effectiveness overtime? This research study simulation is on the effects of fostering physical activities in children and the effects in outcomes overtime. The overall topic is on enhancing physical opportunities for children at the school, home and the outdoors in a structured manner. Introducing the physical activity habits at early ages will increase the possibility of continued physical activity in all stages of life resulting in increased lifelong health benefits. The goal is to establish the existence of a relationship between physical activity and the overall well being of the child later in all aspects of life. ...
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...Personality Assessments and Theories Pamela Draughn BEH 225 October 5, 2010 Heddora Wilburn Personality Assessments and Theories There are different types of personality theories and assessments to determine the personalities of every person. In measuring a person personality there are four basic tools: the personal interview; direct observation of behavior; objective tests; and projective tests. Psychodynamic is related to personal interviews and projective tests, which is repressed problems from early childhood. Humanistic is related to personal interviews and objective tests. Trait is related to objective test. Social Learning is related to interviews, objective tests, and observations. Objective tests are the most widely used tools for assessing personality, but they have two serious drawbacks. First, they rely entirely on self-report. If people do not know themselves well, or cannot be entirely objective about themselves, or want to paint a particular picture of themselves, self-report questionnaire results have limited usefulness (Funder, 1991). But the results can change and may not reflect on the real personality of the person especially if the person does not know him or her that well, or cannot be entirely objective about themselves, or what to paint a particular picture of themselves. The general mood and the person’s ability to concentrate when taking the test can significantly affect the result as well. The results I got from test were all mostly...
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...Autism is also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder ( ASD). “ Health care providers think of autism as a “spectrum” disorder, since it is a group of disorders with similar features. (National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, 2011 paragraph)” A child who has autism may have symptoms that span from mild to severe. There are several types of autism that fall under the spectrum. They include Aspergers Syndrome, RETT Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS). “These disorders are characterized in varying degrees, be it difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non- verbal communication and repetitive behaviors.” ( Autism Speaks, 2011) Aspergers syndrome is a high functioning form of autism. A child with Aspergers might have difficulty interacting with others, awkwardness, and display repetitive behaviors. “Rett syndrome is a disorder of the nervous system that leads to developmental reversals, especially in the areas of expressive language and hand use.” (2.PubMed Health,2010) Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is when a child is developing normally through ages 3 or 4 and then over time will lose the language, and social and motor skills that they have developed already. Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS) is when a child shows some of the symptoms of autism but the symptoms are mild. The symptoms may also only be in one area like language deficiency but fully...
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...creative arts Play and creative arts are important aspects of children’s learning that are being used in kindergartens. This action research project explores the using of play and creative arts in a kindergarten classroom. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and analyze how play and creative arts activities enhance and support children’s learning in literacy and numeracy lessons. Qualitative methods were used to gain data that reflect on the implementation of play and creative arts strategies and activities in teaching and the interpretation collected from participants. The three types of tools that used to collect data are observations, interviews and a reflective journal to ensure validity of results. After analyzing the data, two interrelated themes emerged. The first theme highlights the benefits of play and creative arts in early childhood. The second theme shows the benefits of using them can support literacy and numeracy development. Consequently play and creative arts seems to promote development in children’s learning processes and they also offer the learners’ confidence in their learning. To conclude, this study shows that play and creative arts may have positive effect in improving the children’s overall performance and attitudes. Play and creative arts are important aspects of children’s learning that are being used in kindergartens. This action research project explores the using of play and creative arts in a kindergarten classroom. The purpose of this study...
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