Category F: Observation and Planning

Explanation
My sample for Category F: Observation and Planning is an Infant Toddler motor development
observation.
It fits the category because it is an observation that aloud ne to assess the childs abilities and
plan for his abilities.
I chose it as the best example of my work because I enjoy observing children throughout their
day. It has a wide variety of observations both indoors and outdoors and includes observed gross
and fine motor skills.
It demonstrates the knowledge I gained in the Infant Toddler Development Course of the Infant
Toddler Credential.
I learned about how important observation is to planning for each child. This observation
allowed me to note his motor skills and make a lesson plan to help him reach new goals and
improve the skills he already has.
My sample shows my knowledge of how to objectively observe infants and toddlers and use the
information gained through observation to plan activities and the environment to meet child
developmental needs by providing a written description of what the child can do with no
assumptions about abilities. It includes an analysis with description of things to work on and
additions to classroom furniture.

Category F: Observation and Planning

Sample
Rebecca Tuchscherer
LP6b Motor Development Observation
Child: Elliot age 18 months
July 6, 2011
7:50 am
Elliot is carried in by his mom she sets him down and he walks to the sink to
wash his hands for breakfast (he does this with little assistance from the teacher).
8:05 am
He sits in a chair at the table. He supports himself well. He gets into the chair all
by himself using a crawling motion.
8:10 am
He eats cereal using a spoon he holds it with a fist type grip and is very hard to
get the cereal on the spoon and keep it there while he tries to get it in his mouth.
He picks up Sippy cup and takes a drink.
July 7, 2011
2:00 pm
During free play Elliot is pushing small cars up to the top of a car garage toy and
letting them go down the ramp (he giggles as he does this).
2:13pm
Elliot is now playing in the book corner when he throws a book at another child
the teacher says Elliot we shouldnt throw books that could have hurt your
friend he says sorry to the other child without being asked.
July 8, 2011
9:55 am
Outside time is getting close and the teacher says we need sunscreen Elliot
stands by the cubbies like a bird the teacher says and Elliot puts his arms out
to his side.
10:10 am
Some of the older children run around outside. Elliot tries to run and keep up with
them.

10:22 am
Elliot climbs the ladder on the big climber all by himself and goes down the slide
Gross Motor
Walking

Fine Motor
Washing hands

Throwing

Feeding self with spoon

Sits in chair

Pushing small cars

Climbs ladder

Holding Sippy cup

Runs

Analysis
Elliot walks on his own which is not unusual for his age according to the Bayley chart in
Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers. He climbs up the ladder on his own which is something he just
started doing. On the Bayley chart it has walks up steps by 17 months 50% of infants have
mastered this and by 22 months 90% have mastered this.
Elliot also seems to be making progress on his small motor skills he washes his hands and
holds arms out when asked, but still has trouble using a spoon to self-feed. This is a normal
progression according to then proximodistal principal.
He could use more fine motor activities that encourage grip and hand eye coordination .I
noticed he mostly plays independently, so more group activities should be included to promote
group play. I will also add a small climber to the classroom to continue to encourage the
climbing.