FIELD STUDY 1

THE LEARNERS DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT

Episode 2
LEARNERS CHARACTERISTICS AND NEEDS

Name of FS Student: Mary Jane D. Salamanes

Course: Bachelor of Secondary Education (Bio-Science) Year and Section:
BSEd 4C
Resource Teacher: Mr.Nelson Bello
Signature _________________
Cooperating School : Gadgaran Integrated School
Your Target
At the end of this activity, you will gain competence in differentiating
the characteristics and needs of learners from the different developmental
levels.
Your Map
To reach your target, do the following tasks:
Step 1
Observe 3 groups of learners from
different
levels
(preschool,
elementary, and high school).
Step 2
Describe each of the learners based
on your observation.

Step 3
Validate
your
observation
interviewing the learners.

by

Step 4
Compare them in terms of their
interests and needs.

Your Tools
Use the activity form provided for you to document your
observations.
AN OBSERVATION GUIDE FOR THE LEARNERS CHARACTERISTICS
Read the following statements carefully. Then write your observation
report on the provided space. Your teacher may also recommend another
observation checklist if a more detailed observation is preferred.

2.
3.
1.

Physical
1. Observe their gross motor skills. How they carry themselves. How they
move, walk, run go up the stairs, etc.
Are gross movements clumsy or deliberate/smooth?
How about their fine motor skills? Writing, drawing, etc.
Social
Describe how they interact with teachers and other adults.
2. Note how they also interact with peers. What do they talk about? What
are their concerns?
Emotional
1. Describe the emotional disposition or temperament of the learners.
(happy, sad, easily cries, mood-shifts)
2. How do they express their wants/needs? Can they wait?
3. How do they handle frustrations?
4. Describe their level of confidence as shown in their behavior. Are they
self-conscious?

Cognitive
1. Describe their ability to use words to communicate their ideas. Note their
language proficiency.
2. Describe how they figure out things. Do they comprehend easily? Look for
evidence of their thinking skills.
3. Were their opportunities for problem solving? Describe how did they show
problem solving abilities.
LEARNERS DEVELOPMENT MATRIX
Record the data you gathered about the learners characteristics and
needs in this matrix. This will allow you to compare the characteristics and
needs of learners at different levels. The items under each domain are by no
means exhaustive. These are just sample indicators. You may add other
aspects which you may have observed.

Development
Domain

Physical
(Gross-motor
skills
Fine-motor skil
Self-help skills)

Social
Interaction with
Teachers
Interaction with
classmates/frie
nds
Interests

Preschooler
(Indicate age
range of children
observed: 3-5
yrs. old)

Preschooler or the
children in that
stage likes
walking, running
and they always
want to move
around the room.
They love to write,
draw and put
every color. And
they are still
dependent on
their parents or
teachers.
Children at this
age always follow
what their teacher
says and ask.
They are still not
too mature of the
things surround
them. Most of the
time they like
playing with their
peers.

Elementary
(Indicate age
range of children
observed: 6-8
yrs. old)

They carry
themselves in a
different way
compare to the
preschoolers. They
move actively,
walk there and
here, going in and
out of the room.
They can do
physical activities
by themselves but
they are still
emotionally
dependent to their
parents.

They interact to
their teachers with
a respect like their
parents. Some of
them are naughty
and some
students love
when his or her
classmate cries
and always back
fight with them.
They are also
interested in

High School
(Indicate age
range of children
observed:
11-13 yrs. old)

They carry there

self confidently
and they can
manage there
self alone. Their
skills are well
developed
compared to the
elementary and
preschoolers.
They are now
independent in
some ways.

They are aware

of the rules and
regulations of
their teacher.
Some of them
dont respect
their teachers
Their interest in
different
activities
developed most
in sports, both in
girls and boys.

playing.

Emotional
(Moods and
temperament,
expression of
feelings,
Emotional
independence
Others)

Cognitive
(Communicatio
n Skills,
Thinking Skills,
Problem-solving
Others)

The moods of this

learners shifts
most of the time,
some would fight
with each other
and some would
easily cry. And as
usual this kind of
learners is always
noisy.

The temper of
these learners
explodes easily.
They are a little bit
conscious of them
selves.
Conflict among
them exists.

They are more

mature and can
handle or control
their emotions
compared to the
elementary and
preschoolers. At
this stage they
have already
crushes and
some have
already
boyfriends and
girlfriends.

They can express

what they think
but not in a proper
way because their
communication
skills is still
limited. At this age
they cannot
comprehend
easily.

They are still on

the stage of
developing the
two languages the
Filipino and
English.
Most of these
learners are good
in memorization
and fond of
exploring.

At this stage
they already
know the two
languages that
we use but
some of them
are still learning.
Some of them
already apply
critical thinking.
They can
already perform
problem solving.

Your Analysis
Write the most salient developmental characteristics of the learners
you observed. Based on these characteristics, think of implications for the
teacher.

Example:
Salient
Level
Characteristics
Observed
Preschool
Preschoolers like to
Age range of Learners move around a lot.
Observed __________

Implications to the
Teaching-Learning
Process

Therefore,
the
teacher
should
remember
to
use
music and movement
activities not just in
PE but in all subject
areas.

Therefore, teachers
should not expect
preschoolers to stay
seated for a long

period of time.

Write your own observation here.

Level
Preschool
Age range of learners
observed 3-5 yrs.old

Salient
Characteristics
Observed
Pre-schoolers likes to
draw and coloring
things.

Elementary
Age range of learners
observed 6-12 yrs.old

They like to play and

write.

Highschool
Age range of learners
observed 12-above

They are more on

listening to the
discussion rather than
taking down notes.

Implications to the
Teaching-Learning
Process
Therefore, teachers
should provide them with
materials that can
enhance their drawing
skills together with
colorful things.
And so, teachers should
provide them with
different activities to
enhance their skills.
Therefore, teacher should
remember instructional
materials that could
catch their attention to
take down notes. For
example use power point
presentation.

Your Reflections
1. While you were observing the learners, what did you recall in your own
experiences when you were their age? What similarities or differences do
you have with the learners you observed?
When Im observing the learners, I recall my childhood years, like
them, Im also naughty that time. I love to play all the time and Im
fond of roaming around our classroom. My experience that time was
enjoyable like the learners do right now.
2. Think of a teacher you cannot forget for positive or negative reasons. How
did she/he help or not help you with your needs (physical, emotional,
social, cognitive)? How did it affect you?
During my elementary years in the Calbayog Adventist Multigrade
School, there is a teacher that I cannot forget for the rest of my life;
she is Mrs. Joy A. Igloso. She is the one who taught me how to be
strong person, she gave me advices when Im in trouble, and shes
like my real mother that time. She is the best teacher I ever had.
3. Which is your favorite theory of development? How can this guide you as
a future teacher?
One of my favorite theories of development is the cognitive theory of
John Piaget. In this theory this will guide us to become a better future
teacher because in Piaget theory students use their minds or brains in
order for us to think critically.
4.

Share your insights here.

 In terms of the behavior of the students in the Gadgaran Integrated

School, the students are very noisy and in terms of their performance
in the class the females are the most active than males.