Reflection on Childhood Development
For Assignment 2, you are required to observe a child aged approximately 2–5 years old, 6–12 years old, or an adolescent in a public location. Observe a child of your own or ask a friend or family member if you can observe his or her child in a public place, such as a playground.
Note:
You will not be interacting with the child during this observation; this is strictly an observational assignment.
Ask your friend or family member for permission to observe his or her child and make arrangements for the time and place in advance. It is recommended that you include the details of the arrangements in an email to the parent and ask them to confirm their consent by email. Include the parent/caregiver consent as part of your assignment.
For example:
Thank you for agreeing to let me observe your child as part of the second assignment in my SOCW 3551: Human Development course. I will meet and observe your child on Saturday at 2 pm at [location]. I will not be interacting with your child as part of this assignment, and their name and location will not be included in the assignment. Thanks again.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Your Observation Schedule must be included as part of your assignment and should report only your direct observations. Your Observation Schedule should not exceed 750 words.
You will then write a reflection of no more than 750 words that connects your observations to the theorists in the textbook. Depending on the age range you choose, you will complete this assignment in Unit 5 (Early Childhood and Preschool Years), Unit 6 (Middle Childhood) or Unit 7 (Adolescence).
Development Indicators in Childhood Lifespan Development
1. Observe a child aged approximately 2–5 years old, 6–12 years old, or an adolescent in a public location. Do not identify the child’s real name or location.
2. Give a general description of the child’s appearance (e.g., height, weight).
3. Make note of the observed developmental markers for at least three types of human development; intellectual development (Piaget); social skills development (Erikson), attachment development (Bowlby), moral development (Kohlberg); and socio-cultural development (Vygotsky). Include any unique characteristics.
4. Write a 750-word reflection that connects your observations to the theorists in the textbook.
