Rosa Smith

March 4, 2015
Section: 15494
Judy Poggi
Assignment: Child Observation

NAEYC Standard 1: Promoting Child Development and Learning

Introduction: I observed R.Mc. throughout his day on March 2-3, 2015. R.Mc. is enrolled in
the morning classroom with 17 children, a teacher, a teacher aide, and 1 intern. Setting for the
observations took place in our indoor and outdoor environment. I made the decision to observed
R.Mc. because; he is a returning Head Start student from my previous class 2013/14 school year.
Another, factor that played in my selection is having the chance to communicate with his mother
regarding his physical, cognitive, social skills, and language development. Having the
opportunity to be R.Mc. teacher for the past two years has allowed me to learn how I can
motivate and support his growth in a positive learning environment.
1 Childs characteristics
These are some of R.Mc. physical characteristics. He is 38 inches tall, small built as
compared to other children in his classroom. R.Mc. school attendance records shows being
absent four days this current school year. Documentation of excuses is related to child being
sick. R.M. on occasions is reminded to use his inside voices when speaking too loud. R.M. had
demonstrated articulation and speech errors. For example, during outdoor play R.Mc. walked
over to T.A. and said, I wanna do a bill whip. T.A. responded a pyramid? R.Mc. No, a bill
whip T.A. response experiment? R.Mc. No, bill whip! making fist gesture moving hands up

and down. T.A. repeated bill whip. R.Mc. say bill whiiip! T.A. responded a field trip? R.Mc.
nodded head in up and down motion. Mother has followed through with referral to school district
for further screening, and hearing exams for hearing impairments concerns.
2 Childs interests
R.Mc. has demonstrated interest playing with same group of children over time. R.Mc.
chooses to sit next to S.R. and across C.C. during breakfast and lunch. During free choice R.Mc.
joins S.R. and C.C.at science area with 3- D Magnetic tiles. R.Mc. stand around S.R. and C.C.
talking about what they are going to make amongst each other and t.a. R.Mc. said, What are we
gonna make S.? S.R. Lets make a castle. R.Mc. Okay. R.Mc. held a triangle tile with tips
of finger and put a square tile on top. Child then said, Teacher look Im balancing. T.A. asked
how he making balancing the tiles. R.Mc. said, I put one hand then the tile on top. S.R. looked
over to R.Mc. and C.C. and said, Need more tiles. C.C. and R.Mc. handed S.R. some tiles. S.R.
smiled at boys. Children were engage in activity for 15 minutes before walking away to
housekeeping together. The following day R. Mc. asked if he could sit next to C.C. and S.R. at
lunch and breakfast. Children sat beside and across each other. R.Mc. asked, t.a. Can I pick up
the name tags? Child gathers name tags and hands them to t.a. During lg. circle R.Mc. would
turn his body away from teacher who was doing music time. T. called childs name for child to
look back at her and participate in music. R.Mc. at times sing a couple of words then stops and
looks around at other children.
3 Childs need
Whiting the first 30 days of enrollment Head Start teachers are required to complete the ESIR Developmental Screening to help identify children who may need special education services.
During the 2013-2014 school years the above screening was administered. Along, with the

Speech Articulation Screening part to help identify articulation errors (early intervention.) R.Mc.
demonstrated not being free of speech/ articulation errors. Results were shared with parent and
results provided. At that time mother chose to wait for referral to local school district based on
him being a young 3 year old. Overall, child scored in the ok range for his age group. During the
2014/15 school year further speech concerns were shared with parent and observations provided.
For example, child is demonstrated emotions (frustration) when being asked to repeat words over
and over again. During free choice R.Mc. said, Nobody, been to page (space); I wanna go to
page someday. T.A. asked, child to repeat word 3 times before she was able to understand the
word space. After, the third time of repeating page he made a grrr sound. R.Mc.
demonstrates typical behavior for his age with occasional reminders and support with following
rules, speech and behavior.
4 - Childs interactions with peers, environment and adults
During outdoor play R.Mc. joined other children and teacher running through obstacle course.
R.Mc. climebed over rock climing structure using his hands to grip rocks. Child used his body to
pull himself over. Then jumped obever landing on two feet, child squatted then walked over
hurtle, ran torwards balance beam walking one foot over the other. Child held his balance for 8
steps. R.Mc. repeated activity for 10 minutes. T.A. said, I need a bigger hurtle to jump over.
R.Mc. said, how about this? (Lg. box) T.A. responded too big. R.Mc. said, The little bike!
T.A. said, too dangerous. R.Mc. looked over at S.R. and C.C. playing with sand toys R.Mc.
joined group and sat down beside them. Children poured sand into buckets. R.Mc. often defends
his rights by using his words to express his feelings. Child has been observed saying, I dont
like that, teacher he threw sand in my eyes, can I have a turn with the scooter.
5 Childs learning strengths and limitations

R.Mc. demonstrated the following strengths and limitations in the following areas selfexpression, and persistence when supported by an adult. During, lunch RMc. said, Teacher have
you seen Tom and Zoey? (Said, 3 times.) T.A. repeated Tom and Zoey? R.Mc. said, say Tom
and Z o e y (Child stretched word into syllable parts.) T.A. responded Tom and Jerry! R.Mc.
said, Yeah! I had a movie with lot of episodes. Children then started talking about moving
when T.A. brought up C.C. father leaving for the military. R.Mc. said, We didnt move, but
when we have a baby we moving out. T.A. encouraged more conversation by asking why they
would move when the baby arrives. R.Mc. Because, there no more room. T.A. asked do you
want to move? R.Mc. responded Well, if my mom says so. T.A. and child continue moving
topic for 3 more minutes.

References
(n.d.). Retrieved March 5, 2015, from http://eric.ed.gov/?note