Stefanie Gonzales

ECE 252

Spring 2017

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL OBSERVATION

Part A

Emotional

1a. Record an objective observation of a display of fear (include exact age of child and

setting). The setting is my church daycare/Sunday school. The child being observed in 14

months old. The child displayed fear as her parents dropped her off at the classroom. The child

seemed very quiet in nature. The parents did not drop the child off and say goodbye like many

of the others I seen. Instead they put her amongst the others while having a conversation with

the caregiver. Then they hurried on their way. The child had her eyes on her parents the whole

time they were talking with the caregiver and when they began to leave she got tears in her

eyes and started to get up and go toward the door after them. The child was not throwing a

tantrum or crying loudly, it was a silent cry.

1b. How is this handled by the caregiver? After the caregiver noticed the upset child he went

over to her and knelt down and told her that mommy and daddy will be back after service ends.

Then he sat down with her and grabbed a book and read to her until she stopped crying. After

she calmed down she left the caregiver to play with the others.
1c. Was the response appropriate or inappropriate? Why or why not? I felt this to be very

appropriate. The caregiver didnt make a big deal over the upset child. He simply went over to

her, gave her an explanation as to what is going on and when her parents will be back for her.

Then he sat with her until she calmed down enough to play with the others.

2a. Record an objective observation of a display of anger (include exact age of child and

setting). This setting in my church infant room. The child being observed is 3 months old and

new to the infant room. (parents first time leaving her) The child seemed agitated from being

away from her parents and having a new person take care of her. The child started to fuss a

little and the caregiver gave her the bottle. The child was fine until it was gone. The child then

started crying then kicking her legs all over.

2b. How is this handled by the caregiver? The caregiver was gentle and patient towards the

child. In a soft, calming voice the caregiver spoke to her saying its ok, whats wrong little

one?. The caregiver then gave the child her blankie and the child calmed down with the

caregiver still there talking with her and the child eventually fell asleep.

2c. Was the response appropriate or inappropriate? Why or why not? Yes the response was

appropriate. I think that maybe some caregivers would have popped another bottle in the

childs mouth in order to get them calm. This caregiver however, took the time to talk with the

infant. She also was patient and kind toward the child. The caregiver showed no visible sign of

annoyance or anything that the infant might understand. The caregiver also gave the child

something that was familiar and comforting to her.

3a. Using the nine temperament traits, observe and give examples of EACH in ONE child (you

may need to interview the caregiver/parent to answer some). (Include exact age of child and

setting) (This portion is worth 10 points)

The child is 6 months old and the setting is my church daycare 4-6 months room.

ACTIVITY LEVEL: This child has a high activity level. He tends to move about the room a lot in

the form of an army crawl. When in the sitting position he attempts to scoot on his bottom but

then goes onto the ground and army crawls to his destination. He also likes moving his arms

about with toys in hand or nothing at all.

RHYTHMICAITY: (Interviewed parent at pick up) the mother told me her son is a pretty good

sleep schedule. Only when the child is not feeling well does he have sporadic sleeping patterns.

The mother told me she has a set eating schedule but with her son growing he lets her know

when he wants some food and she gives it to him at that time. As for elimination, the mother

says its all the time and always after eating.

APPROACH-WITHDRAWAL: From my observation this child likes new things. Every time another

child would approach him he was all smiles and didnt seem to mind. When the little boy would

find a new toy he again was all smiles and played with it for a bit. The mother also said when he

meets new people or goes to new places he is pretty relaxed and doesnt mind.

ADAPTABILITY: (Interviewed parent at pick up) as stated earlier the mother said her son is

relaxed when having new experiences.

ATTENTION SPAN: When playing with a toy the child seemed very engaged and played with it

for about 5 minutes or so. He would occasionally drop it, pick it back up and continue to

investigate. As soon as he spotted another toy nearby, he would switch his attention to that

toy.

INTENSITY OF REACTION: This child was laughing and smiling a lot. I wouldnt say it was a very

loud laugh but it wasnt just a smile either. (Interviewed parent at pick up) the mother said

when he cries its a quiet cry. Not a tantrum but not silent either.

THRESHOLD OF RESPONSIVENESS: From what I seen the child didnt seem to mind the loud

sounds of the other children. Also at one point the caregiver dimmed the lights to calm the

children and this little boy didnt seem to mind. He continued playing with his stuffie and was

calm.

DISTRACTIBIILTY: I did see a big distractibility. Whenever the child had a toy he was engaged in

it kept his interest. However, as soon as he spotted another all his attention quickly went to

that toy.

QUALITY OF MOOD: I seen nothing but smiles and contentment with this child. (Interviewed the

parent at pick up) the mother also told me during the day her son is mostly happy and easy

going. Occasionally of course he has his upset moments but overall he is happy she said.

3b. In which of the 3 temperament categories would you place this child and why?
I put this child in the easy temperament category. My reasoning for this is because everything I

observed and was told by the mom, the child seemed to adjust to most everything, always

seemed content and happy, and didnt seem to let others affect him.

3c. What advice might you give to the caregiver/parent of this child based on your

assessment?

I would tell them I think their baby is amazingly laid back and they are doing a great job.

Part B

Social

1. Record an objective observation of a child displaying Eriksons trust vs. mistrust

(identify exact age of child and whether positive or negative).

This observation is from the earlier setting of the church day care/Sunday school room. The

child is 12 months old. She is being dropped off. I observed trust as this little girl was being

dropped off. She was all smiles and her eyes were focused on the caregiver and she was

insistent on the caregiver picking her up for a hug as soon as her parents dropped her off. I feel

this to be positive. I could tell she loved her parents but with the enthusiasm she had at drop

off I could also see the amount of trust with the caregiver and surrounding environment.

2. Record an objective observation of a child displaying Eriksons Autonomy vs. shame

and doubt (identify exact age of child and whether positive or negative).
I observed a 28 month old and his attempting potty time. The caregiver said they encourage the

children who are currently being potty trained at home. They initiate the taking a break to go

potty but they allow for the child to do things on their own. An example is this child, after

attempting to go potty the caregiver was trying to help pull up the pull-ups. The boy pushed the

caregivers hands back and said I CAN! He did. This is a positive action as it shows that the

child is developing the cognitive and emotional aspects of autonomy. He understands that he

needs his pull-up on and he is willing to do it and knows how to do it. This also displays self-help

skills.

3a. Record an objective observation of a guidance situation between caregiver and child (due

to individual action). Give exact age of child.

This child was 24 months old. There is a climbing club house type toy and it has a slide on it. The

little girl was trying to climb on the slide instead of the little ladder.

3b. How is this handled by the caregiver? Was the response appropriate or inappropriate?

Why?

The caregiver calmly redirected the child by taking her hand and leading her to the ladder and

explained to her that the safe way is to go up the ladder not the slide. This was appropriate

because it was done calmly and respectfully and a explanation was given to the child.
4a. Record an objective observation of a guidance situation between two children (due to

interaction between children). Give exact age of children, both must be in appropriate age

range for assignment.

This observation was between a 5 month old and a 5 month (3 week) old. The two children

were playing with a squeaky toy together and then the one child didnt want to share anymore

and this upset the other and they both began to cry.

4b. How is this handled by the caregiver? Was the response appropriate or inappropriate?

Why?

The caregiver sat by the children and acknowledged the problem between them saying, What

is going on here? Do we both want to play with the toy? She calmly rubbed their backs and

provided eye contact that was a nice facial expression. She then began to handle the toy herself

playing with the toy and the children. They calmed down and were happy again. This was

appropriate because she took the time to talk with them and then play with them until things

were resolved.