The document summarizes observations of a 6-year-old child's behavior in different social situations. When with adults other than parents, the child is shy but lively and outgoing with friends. The child's behavior changes around toddlers, becoming more careful. When asked why they act differently, the child exaggeratedly explained that adults are "big and scary" while babies are "cute." The child's favorite activity is tackling people to show affection. Communicating mainly through gestures at this age, the child is developing language skills. Psychological studies are limited as each child's development depends on their unique environment and interactions.

1. Developmental Psychology By : Raey Seleshi

2. Subject Gender : Female Age : 6 Grade : Kindergarten Home : House Parents : married Childhood

3. During the times I observed the child, I noticed a pattern in their actions in certain surroundings. When surrounded by adults they are more likely to behave unless the adult is their parents. At first they are adorable and shy. They stay quiet and simply do as they are told. When they are near their friends, they are super hyper! They seem to get energy out of nowhere! They are active, friendly and outgoing. Toddlers completely change the child’s behavior. They suddenly become careful as if they are afraid of hurting them. They spend their time fawning over the toddler. During the time, I talked with the child I asked why they act so differently. She replied, “ They (referring to adults) are big and scary! They always make weird faces at me. And babies are cute!!!” This was said with a lot of exaggeration with her hands. Child Social Interactions

4. Child Physical Interaction The child’s favorite physical activity is tackling people. While she originally seems small and cute, stay with her for 5 minutes and she will starting playing (tackling) you. It is her way of showing that she likes you. When she is mad all you need to do is give her, her favorite pokemon (gag) plushy and she calmed down. It was like a dog was called Mew however she called it Kit-Kat. She really, and I mean really likes the outside and especially animals.

5. Communications The child did not have a big vocabulary or pronunciation. She used small words and body movement to explain something. Most of her movements were highly exaggerated but her friends seemed to understand. The parents often faked understanding because the children seemed to have their own language that was incomprehensible to those of a higher age group. While her parents are not at home, she is babysat by a teen. When they communicate the child used words more so that she could be on the same level as her babysitter. According to her parents she has recently been using words more. “ She has improved a lot in just the past month! I think that the more time she spends with adults the more she uses word,” said her father when I talked to him after I observed the child’s communication with her baby sitter.

6. Reality vs. Psychology The psychological studies are mostly pointed at one type of children. However, each child is different based on their environment and social interactions. The psychological studies usually focus on describing the “normal” child or the children who have had a history of abuse. There is no certain criteria as to what way a child should behave. The attempts to classify children into certain categories or to create stages of development are not for all children. There are too many possible factors to be able to predict a child’s behavior. There is also the fact that children can be easily swayed and based on what they hear they will think differently than others.

7. Young Adult Gender : Female Age : 21 Grade : Junior in College Housing : Dorm Parents : Married

8. Social Interactions The subject is a very nice and quiet person. When around kids especially toddlers, she is like a girl straight out of a movie where she begin talking in “baby talk”. Kids ages 4-8 always annoy her. Every time she is in a house with one she goes to great lengths to avoid them. She can’t stand how they are hyper and active. She prefers the ones where they are quiet and just play around but not too much. The only time she is comfortable is with her friends. When she is with them she begins to talk. ALOT. Adults including he parents make her feel uncomfortable. When she meets them there is an awkward silence until the elders begin talking amongst themselves. “ It is like they have some great expectation of what they want me to be and I just can’t do that.” -

9. She spends a lot of time in the library. It is a second home to her. When she has her books, she becomes oblivious to the world around her. Her books make her feel safe and comfortable. She HATES sports. All sports especially ones that involve any parts of the body touching. She like her privacy and doesn’t like people touching her unless they are little toddlers. She prefers a quiet lifestyles and wants to become a nurse to work with taking care of the new born babies. Any time she has to go somewhere she has to spend forever thinking about every single step. She doesn’t like going new places and I s more comfortable with a normal routine and a normal environment. Physical Interaction

10. Communication At first sight she isn’t much of a people person. She is quiet and often just responds with a yes, no, fine, okay and nods. After a while though she begins talking to you. However, when needed she is a shoulder to cry on. That is her “role”, in her group of friends. When she is nervous or uncomfortable she begins to fidget around. She is loved by cats and bids. She isn’t the most social person but it works for her.

11. Analysis Based on my research, it is in the adult stage where most people mature. This part of their life cause them to rethink their whole lives. They begin to see thing all sides and begin to like some time alone. During this stage they begin to lose their energy and become more reflective. This Is a major part because it when they decide what they want to be. Psychologists have a much better understanding of this stage because it is mostly based on the brain not their surroundings. This lets them analyze all their data and categorize people better than they do with kids who are easily swayed.