1 Child Development: Observation and Reflection Lua Shanks Dr. Edwards Child Development: Observation and Reflection 80MOD 2 ASSIGN 2 06-27-2021 Child Development: Observation and Reflection The observation data that I gathered and the process that I used to observe significantly informed my ability to conduct observations in the field. For instance, I learned the most important steps in observation such as familiarizing myself with the subjects and taking note of all the activities that take place since they are all useful in the final analysis. The observation data made me realize the value of being keen during field observations so that no detail is left out. Some of the questions that emerged during the observation process about the children in the media are whether children have similar developmental capabilities and whether play can be used to rectify a child’s developmental delays. The overall experience of observing made me question teachers’ ability to understand all the unique aspects of child development and how they use them to create unique and engaging learning activities. I experienced the challenge of remaining objective since my personal feelings were consistently influenced by judgments and observations. As I reflect on the observation process and the overall experience, the question that arises is how infants and young children can exhibit an interest in problem-solving yet their mental faculties have not fully developed. The question exposes the complexity of cognitive development in children since it reveals that children develop cognition from social, emotional, and perceptual experiences. I would like to know the cognitive capabilities of the children I observed by having one on one sessions with them so that I could test their abilities. I believe that intelligence varies not only in adults but also in children an indication that a child’s developmental milestones are unique and different from that of another child. The only similarities are the age of occurrence for each developmental milestone. The data that I obtained during my observations deepened my understanding of children’s development and learning. I realized that the developmental domains are interlinked since the development of one domain builds onto another domain. For instance, the development of the social and emotional domains contributes to the emergence of the cognitive domain. I realized that the domains do not operate in isolation but instead strengthen each other as the child develops. I also learned that the environment plays a significant role in a child’s development. For instance, when a child grows up i ...

1. 1
Child Development: Observation and Reflection
Lua Shanks
Dr. Edwards
Child Development: Observation
and Reflection
80MOD 2 ASSIGN
2
06-27-2021
Child Development: Observation and Reflection
The observation data that I gathered and the process that I used
to observe significantly informed my ability to conduct
observations in the field. For instance, I learned the most
important steps in observation such as familiarizing myself with

2. the subjects and taking note of all the activities that take place
since they are all useful in the final analysis. The observation
data made me realize the value of being keen during field
observations so that no detail is left out.
Some of the questions that emerged during the observation
process about the children in the media are whether children
have similar developmental capabilities and whether play can be
used to rectify a child’s developmental delays. The overall
experience of observing made me question teachers’ ability to
understand all the unique aspects of child development and how
they use them to create unique and engaging learning activities.
I experienced the challenge of remaining objective since my
personal feelings were consistently influenced by judgments and
observations.
As I reflect on the observation process and the overall
experience, the question that arises is how infants and young
children can exhibit an interest in problem-solving yet their
mental faculties have not fully developed. The question exposes
the complexity of cognitive development in children since it
reveals that children develop cognition from social, emotional,
and perceptual experiences.
I would like to know the cognitive capabilities of the children I
observed by having one on one sessions with them so that I
could test their abilities. I believe that intelligence varies not
only in adults but also in children an indication that a child’s
developmental milestones are unique and different from that of
another child. The only similarities are the age of occurrence
for each developmental milestone.
The data that I obtained during my observations deepened my
understanding of children’s development and learning. I
realized that the developmental domains are interlinked since
the development of one domain builds onto another domain. For
instance, the development of the social and emotional domains
contributes to the emergence of the cognitive domain. I realized
that the domains do not operate in isolation but instead
strengthen each other as the child develops. I also learned that

3. the environment plays a significant role in a child’s
development. For instance, when a child grows up in an
environment that values cognitive functioning, the child will
show improvements in cognition and vice versa. Although
infants are naturally active, engage, and motivated, the
environment plays a crucial role in their development.
The additional information that I need to acquire about how
children develop focuses on the role of play and culture in
influencing their development. I also need more information on
how the developmental domains build onto each other so that I
can understand the interrelationship and the value of every
domain. I could obtain this information through extensive
research on the internet for peer-reviewed articles that discuss
child development.
What I observed reinforced what I was learning about within the
course about child development. The observations exemplified
the fact that children between the ages of 3 and 5 have unique
developmental milestones that take time to perfect.
The data that I gathered during observations will significantly
support my future role in the field since it acts as an important
foundation for understanding the complexities of child
development. The observations will also give me an idea of how
to deal with different children given the uniqueness of their
development. I believe that the observation will strengthen my
future role in the field since I will be capable of recommending
appropriate interventions for the developmental challenges of
children.

4. References
Laureate Education (Producer) (2015e). How to observe
children [Video file] Baltimore MD: Author.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2015b). Child development:
Preschool children [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Assignment 2: Child Development: Observation and Reflection
As you have been learning, observation is a critical skill in
understanding children’s development and learning, and an
essential professional skill. The data you gather during
observation can be used to support children’s continued
development and as a communication tool with families and
other colleagues.
This week, you apply your observation skills and knowledge of
child development to children between the ages of 3 and 5
through watching and analyzing an unscripted video that
demonstrates the kinds of skills and behaviors that are markers
of early childhood.
Review the Laureate Education media segment How to Observe
Children in the Learning Resources. Familiarize yourself with
developmental milestones for young children between the ages
of 3 and 5. Then, watch the Laureate Education media segment
Child Development: Preschool Children and complete the
following:
Based on your observations of children between the ages of 3

5. and 5, provide the following:
Anecdotal descriptions for each of the developmental domains:
· Social-emotional
· Cognitive
· Language
· Physical
· Three anecdotal descriptions that capture the interrelationship
between developmental domains
Guidelines for anecdotal descriptions: Your anecdotal
descriptions provide an objective summary of what you
observed in the areas of social-emotional, cognitive, language,
and physical development. For each description, be sure to
include specific language that captures the nuances of
development. Your descriptions should focus on one or two
children and be a half page to 1 page in length for each
developmental area and for each description of an
interrelationship.
Following completion of your anecdotal descriptions for both
age groups (birth to 2 and ages 3 to 5), write a 2- to 3-page
reflection paper that responds to the following questions about
your observation experiences:
· How do the observation data you gathered and the process you
used to observe inform your ability to conduct observations in
the field?
· What questions emerged during the observation process about
the children in the media segment and the overall experience of
observing? Did you experience challenges in remaining
objective? If so, what were these challenges?
· As you reflect on the observation process and experience,
what questions arise?

6. · What else would you like to know about the children you
observed (related to individual and environmental factors)?
What strategies could you use to gather this information?
· How did the data you obtained during your observation deepen
your understanding of children’s development and learning and
the interrelationship between developmental domains?
· What additional information do you need to acquire about how
children develop? How could you obtain this information?
· How did what you observe exemplify what you are learning
about within the course?
· How does data gathered during observation support your
current role and/or future role in the field?
Cite appropriate references in APA format to substantiate your
thinking.
Assignment 2: Child Development: Observation and Reflection
As you have been learning, observation is a critical skill in
understanding children’s development and learning, and an
essential professional skill. The data you gather during
observation can be used to support children’s continued
development and as a communication tool with families and
other colleagues.
This week, you apply your observation skills and knowledge of
child development to children between the ages of 3 and 5
through watching and analyzing an unscripted video that
demonstrates the kinds of skills and behaviors that are markers
of early childhood.
To prepare:
Review the Laureate Education media segment How to Observe
Children in the Learning Resources. Familiarize yourself with
developmental milestones for young children between the ages
of 3 and 5. Then, watch the Laureate Education media
segment Child Development: Preschool Children and complete

7. the following:
Based on your observations of children between the ages of 3
and 5, provide the following:
Anecdotal descriptions for each of the developmental domains:
· Social-emotional
· Cognitive
· Language
· Physical
Three anecdotal descriptions that capture the interrelationship
between developmental domains
Guidelines for anecdotal descriptions: Your anecdotal
descriptions provide an objective summary of what you
observed in the areas of social-emotional, cognitive, language,
and physical development. For each description, be sure to
include specific language that captures the nuances of
development. Your descriptions should focus on one or two
children and be a half page to 1 page in length for each
developmental area and for each description of an
interrelationship.
Following completion of your anecdotal descriptions for both
age groups (birth to 2 and ages 3 to 5), write a 2- to 3-page
reflection paper that responds to the following questions about
your observation experiences:
· How do the observation data you gathered and the process you
used to observe inform your ability to conduct observations in
the field?
· What questions emerged during the observation process about
the children in the media segment and the overall experience of
observing? Did you experience challenges in remaining
objective? If so, what were these challenges?
· As you reflect on the observation process and experience,
what questions arise?
· What else would you like to know about the children you
observed (related to individual and environmental factors)?

8. What strategies could you use to gather this information?
· How did the data you obtained during your observation deepen
your understanding of children’s development and learning and
the interrelationship between developmental domains?
· What additional information do you need to acquire about how
children develop? How could you obtain this information?
· How did what you observe exemplify what you are learning
about within the course?
· How does data gathered during observation support your
current role and/or future role in the field?
Cite appropriate references in APA format to substantiate your
thinking.
RESOURCES
Laureate Education (Producer). (2015e). How to observe
children [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 5 minutes.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2015b). Child development:
Preschool children [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 6 minutes.
http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/itf09cogdev.asp
http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/itf09percmotdev.asp
http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/itf09socemodev.asp
Music, G. (2017). Nurturing natures: Attachment and children’s
emotional, sociocultural, and brain development (2nd ed.). New
York, NY: Psychology Press.