Do a 4 years old child observation, discussion with the parent/s, group work, and the theoretical perspectives you have covered during this module, construct an holistic biographical narrative of the child you observed which contextualises and evaluates their physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development.
Write an introduction which introduces the child. Writing about the child works well including details of the child and family background; when and where (in the home) the observation took place; confidentiality and observation techniques employed. This will help to ‘set the scene’ or context. The introduction includes elements of the whole piece (this works much better than firstly this essay will discuss…secondly…etc.).
You will need to summarise your observations in detail. The descriptions of what was observed may be around eight hundred to a thousand words in all (usually there is on-going discussion of what was observed throughout so that there are clear relationships and discussions, in full, between observations and theories – like a conversation). There may be more on what was observed nearer the beginning after an overall introduction and discussion of child’s background and observation techniques. The summaries need to be building a picture of what was observed exactly. This will include interactions with others, what the child is interested in, what they know and can do. I will not be reading your handwritten observation notes in detail (I will scan over them though and these need to be included as photos or scanned copies at the end of your work). Your summaries in your essay need to convey enough detail so that the reader can visualise the observation and see how the theories you decide to use relate to your observations. Detail from observations can be captured by including key aspects of actual conversations (between the child and others – verbal and non-verbal – or perhaps self-directed speech out loud), you can use quotes from what the child and others say or extracts from conversational turns. Also discuss the child’s actions, their play (including any themes or schemas you notice are repeated across and between activities / play).If you observed a familiar routine what were the characteristics of it, what language was used, describe the interactions and responsibilities the child was taking. What did you notice about the child’s knowledge and understanding of their culture, their place in the family, their (social) world? How do you think they may be learning by themselves and with others (look beyond simply saying imitation!) What theories
Usually students introduce ideas about their overall understanding on the concept of ‘development’ (i.e. it is complex, holistic, range of theories to explain, contextualised etc., in detail- again look back on your notes and your reading). Please ensure that you reference your understanding from good quality academic literature on your reading list (Trawick-Smith and Thomas Keenan in the UEL Reader (edited by Silberfeld) and Boushal et al. – some readings in your reading folder on moodle).
You will need to summarise your observations in detail. The descriptions of what was observed may be around eight hundred to a thousand words in all (usually there is on-going discussion of what was observed throughout so that there are clear relationships and discussions, in full, between observations and theories – like a conversation). There may be more on what was observed nearer the beginning after an overall introduction and discussion of child’s background and observation techniques. The summaries need to be building a picture of what was observed exactly. This will include interactions with others, what the child is interested in, what they know and can do. I will not be reading your handwritten observation notes in detail (I will scan over them though and these need to be included as photos or scanned copies at the end of your work). Your summaries in your essay need to convey enough detail so that the reader can visualise the observation and see how the theories you decide to use relate to your observations. Detail from observations can be captured by including key aspects of actual conversations (between the child and others – verbal and non-verbal – or perhaps self-directed speech out loud), you can use quotes from what the child and others say or extracts from conversational turns. Also discuss the child’s actions, their play (including any themes or schemas you notice are repeated across and between activities / play).If you observed a familiar routine what were the characteristics of it, what language was used, describe the interactions and responsibilities the child was taking. What did you notice about the child’s knowledge and understanding of their culture, their place in the family, their (social) world? How do you think they may be learning by themselves and with others (look beyond simply saying imitation!) What theories could be used to explain these? These include maturationist (including brain development and temperament), behaviourist, cognitive (constructivist), socio-cultural, psychoanalytic, psychosocial, ecological systems, communities of practice, humanistic…look back on your notes from class and (reading) materials. You can also use interviews, documentaries etc. (remember to reference fully!)
Clearly discussion of different theoretical perspectives in direct relation to observations will be a substantial part of the essay (around eight hundred to one thousand). I don’t want to be prescriptive as there are many ways to write the essay (no one right way as in the main concepts of development and this module). The key is to address all the elements of the assessment criteria.
A sense of the child’s development in context is part of the assessment criteria. So discuss the family, background, cultural heritage, traditions, routines, languages, parent’s jobs etc..aspects of the environment and wider social context will also be relevant. Elaborating on socio-cultural and economic influences on development is important for a holistic view of development. Relate these to theories e.g. Socio-cultural theories, communities of practice, ecological systems etc. Think back to your coursework one and how you reflected on the effects various key influences had on child development (e.g. family, faith, language, play, routines, friends, education, responsibility etc.). Whilst you were writing about yourself the same principles about reflective writing apply here so that you explain how the child’s development is influenced by social, cultural and economic factors (objectively and without assumptions or judgemental language). Key link words and phrases are helpful such as ‘this means that’; ‘because’; ‘so..’ ‘on reflection’;’ the effect on the child’s experience is…’ etc.
You are looking for (and checking throughout and at the end) that there is a balance of discussing background and observations with discussion about how a range of different theories relate to the observations. As you read, write and present you will notice that different views about theory (theoretical perspectives) view child development from different angles and all have different things to say about how children develop. This means your essay needs to convey a range of viewpoints which help in the evaluation of the child’s development (objectively and without personal judgement – you risk failing the module if your work shows unethical practice or labelling / judging the child or family).
Remember to conclude your work fully, how have observations helped to evaluate and contextualise the child’s development? What have you learnt about this child, their development, their social context and what conclusions can you draw from theories in relation to the child?
These include maturationist (including brain development and temperament), behaviourist, cognitive (constructivist), socio-cultural, psychoanalytic, psychosocial, ecological systems, communities of practice, humanistic…look back on your notes from class and (reading) materials. You can also use interviews, documentaries etc. (remember to reference fully!)
Clearly discussion of different theoretical perspectives in direct relation to observations will be a substantial part of the essay (around eight hundred to one thousand). I don’t want to be prescriptive as there are many ways to write the essay (no one right way as in the main concepts of development and this module). The key is to address all the elements of the assessment criteria.
A sense of the child’s development in context is part of the assessment criteria. So discuss the family, background, cultural heritage, traditions, routines, languages, parent’s jobs etc..aspects of the environment and wider social context will also be relevant. Elaborating on socio-cultural and economic influences on development is important for a holistic view of development. Relate these to theories e.g. Socio-cultural theories, communities of practice, ecological systems etc. Think back to your coursework one and how you reflected on the effects various key influences had on child development (e.g. family, faith, language, play, routines, friends, education, responsibility etc.). Whilst you were writing about yourself the same principles about reflective writing apply here so that you explain how the child’s development is influenced by social, cultural and economic factors (objectively and without assumptions or judgemental language). Key link words and phrases are helpful such as ‘this means that’; ‘because’; ‘so..’ ‘on reflection’;’ the effect on the child’s experience is…’ etc.
You are looking for (and checking throughout and at the end) that there is a balance of discussing background and observations with discussion about how a range of different theories relate to the observations. As you read, write and present you will notice that different views about theory (theoretical perspectives) view child development from different angles and all have different things to say about how children develop. This means your essay needs to convey a range of viewpoints which help in the evaluation of the child’s development (objectively and without personal judgement – you risk failing the module if your work shows unethical practice or labelling / judging the child or family).
Remember to conclude your work fully, how have observations helped to evaluate and contextualise the child’s development? What have you learnt about this child, their development, their social context and what conclusions can you draw from theories in relation to the child?
You are looking for (and checking throughout and at the end) that there is a balance of discussing background and observations with discussion about how a range of different theories relate to the observations. As you read, write and present you will notice that different views about theory (theoretical perspectives) view child development from different angles and all have different things to say about how children develop. This means your essay needs to convey a range of viewpoints which help in the evaluation of the child’s development (objectively and without personal judgement – you risk failing the module if your work shows unethical practice or labelling / judging the child or family).
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