Methodology and rationale of observations.

In this week’s lecture, you learned about methodology and rationale of observations. One particular type of observation you learned about is a focused observation, which is an observation in which the observer modifies the environment or has the child engage in a specific activity so they can observe the child utilizing a particular skill or engaging in a certain behavior. Keeping this information in mind, read the scenarios provided below and select one to focus on as you address this week’s questions. 

Lucy is a new student in your three-year-old preschool classroom.  Her home language is Mandarin, but she is able to speak some English.  She grasps and stacks blocks steadily, helping her peers to build a castle and correctly naming the shapes of some of the blocks in English.  When some of the children ask Lucy to pass certain blocks, she ignores them.  Later, when you ask the children to begin cleaning up, she ignores you as well and continues to play.

       2.Rasheed is a student in your kindergarten class.  He has a hearing impairment and is assisted by utilizing a hearing aide.  You notice he is playing a letter/sound recognition game at the reading center with a peer.  As the two students play, they engage in polite conversation, share the materials and take turns throughout the game.  Rasheed selects some cards and says, “apple – /ahh/ that begins with E, ball – /buh/ that begins with B, elephant – /ehh/ that begins with O.”

       3.Lola is a 2.5-year-old student in your toddler class.  During outdoor play, she grabs the toy lawnmower and tells you, “I going cut grass like papa,” grasps the handle and walks behind the lawnmower slowly but steadily as she crosses the play area.  Then, she notices some friends playing on the swings.  She lets go of the lawnmower handle, takes a step forward and falls to the ground.  After a few tries, she is able to get herself upright.  She begins to run unsteadily toward the swings, stumbling and almost falling a few times.

 Now, select the scenario you want to focus on and imagine you’ve decided to conduct a focused observation based on what you’ve observed informally to better assess the child’s abilities. In your discussion response, please address the following:

First, identify the scenario you’ve selected

Then, based on the information provided in the scenario, identify a skill or skills you would focus on in a focused observation of the child, being sure to explain why you’ve selected the skill/skills

Detail an activity you would use to conduct the focused observation that would allow you to observe for the skill(s) you’ve selected.

Briefly explain how the activity would be conducted and/or how you would modify the environment, to ensure you could observe the desired skill

Finally, explain which assessment tool you would use to record information during the observation (e.g., anecdotal record, checklist, etc. – refer to this week’s lecture for additional examples) and why you think this method would be the most effective