OBSERVATION

Observation

Introduction

I have the opportunity to teach pre-school at a private school. It is in the job field I want

to be in and I love it. For this assignment, I decided to observe one of my students. Each

classroom is filled with diverse students. James is 4 years old. He has a younger brother. His

mother is from the United States and his father is from Australia. His family is very wealthy.

Although he has a nanny, his mother is always the one to pick him up from school. I have

noticed in most cases this is very rare. James speaks English, but he was born in Germany. He is

also starting to learn the very basics of German. I observed James while he was at school.

(Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 8:30-11:30)

Physical

Physical development of a child is very important. According to the development chart,

at the age of 4 many of their large motor skills are being developed. The physical development

chart for his age does not match 100% with James. He is very active, but he never pushes or

shoves. He has gentle friends. You’d most likely see him playing by himself at recess or with a

small number of children. James doesn’t like to run but he loves the sand box and building

things.

Emotional

According to the milestone development chart found at

http://depts.washington.edu/allcwe2/fosterparents/training/cdevguid/cdg06.htm , it states that

children between the ages of 4 and 5 have the need to do a great deal of name calling; can be
OBSERVATION

demanding and/or threatening. Also children often test people to see who can be controlled. I

have noticed other children who have tested others to see who could be controlled. James

surprised me because he is neither controlled nor likes to control. He is shy when meeting new

adults but not when meeting kids his own age. He shares and gives up what he has so others may

benefit from it.

Intellectual

James is very bright. His vocabulary is impressively large. He asks a million questions. I

think it is part of the reason he is so smart. The chart states that he should have a growing

vocabulary and also might use bathroom language. I have never heard him say anything

inappropriate. His family does not use that type of language and he corrects others if they say

anything mean. His imagination is very healthy. Once, he drew a picture and I asked him about

it. He replied that it was him and his family. I noticed that it had far more children in the family

than in reality. James responded that he wanted to have lots of brother and sister so he could

share all of his toys with. His response melted my heart.

Social

Although he is rather average in my classroom compared to the other students, James

listens and follows small rules. Because his brother is so small, and he doesn’t have many other

social interactions with kids his age, he had a hard time accepting that he had to share at the

beginning of the school year. Now, he will do just about anything for a friend. I feel like he is

just happy to have this type of interaction. According to the chart, a 4 year old should love to

play, have a great imagination and enjoy adult interaction.

Moral
OBSERVATION

Morality will play an important role in James’s life. The chart says that a child is

becoming aware of right and wrong; usually has desire to do right; may blame others for own

wrongdoing. I believe this is 100% accurate in his case. Morality is beginning to develop. I feel it

is important for each child to take responsibility for their own self. I believe that pre-school only

enforces the things which he is learning at home.

Overall, I have noticed similarities between the chart and the child whom I observed.

That being said, each child is different. They grow up in different settings and cultural

backgrounds and in diverse places. I believe the chart can be a god source for parents when they

evaluate how their child is doing. I enjoyed this observation paper. It gave me the opportunity to

study the “why” in my classroom. The physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and moral

milestones for a 4 - 5 year-olds are amazing.

OBSERVATION

References

DSHS Fosterparentscope Training: Child Development Guide: Four to Five Year Olds. (1993).

Washington State Department of Health and Social Services. Retrieved

from http://depts.washington.edu/allcwe2/fosterparents/training/cdevguid/cdg10.htm