Observing Development of the Young Child

One of the few books that successfully combines observation techniques with child development, this user-friendly book takes an applied approach that allows students to observe, record, and interpret child development by looking at particular behavior. Using the observation data to determine the level of a child's development, plans and activities are illustrated to show readers how to help children strengthen specific areas of development. Chapter coverage discusses developmental assessment instruments--along with alternate approaches to child assessment using shadow studies, play-based assessment and child interviews, as well as digital camera photos. It also includes information on the emergence of emotions in young children, new brain research showing the importance of physical development, sharing observational data with parents, and a child skills checklist that can be used by teachers to determine children's levels of development. For early childhood teachers.

Janice J. Beaty, professor emerita, Elmira College, Elmira, New York, is a full-time writer of early childhood college textbooks and a consultant in early childhood education from her new location in Taos, New Mexico

Observing Development of the Young Childpresents a unique system for observing and recording development of children ages 3 to 5 in early childhood classroom settings. It is based on a progression of children's skill development in six major areas. The text is designed for use by college students preparing to be teachers in prekindergarten programs, nursery schools, child care centers, Head Start classes, and preschools. The book can also be used in such programs by the teachers and assistant teachers who want to learn more about children in order to make individual learning plans. Staff members preparing for Child Development Associate (CDA) Assessment will also find this textbook helpful with its suggestions for classroom activities that are developmentally appropriate for young children. The text focuses on six major aspects of child development: (a) emotional, (b) social, (c) physical, (d) cognitive, (e) language, and (f) creative. It divides each of these aspects further into specific areas: self-identity and emotional development; social play and prosocial behavior; large and small motor development; cognitive development of classification, number, time, and space; spoken language and prewriting/prereading skills; art skills and imagination. THE CHILD SKILLS CHECKLIST--A PRACTICAL TOOL The six areas of child development previously identified are outlined in aChild Skills Checklistthat includes specific, observable child behaviors in the sequence in which they occur. Each of 11 chapters discusses one of these areas, using the items on the checklist as subheads for the chapter and giving ideas for classroom activities for children who have not demonstrated that specified behavior. The most recent child development research in each area is presented as background for the checklist items as they are discussed. Each chapter concludes with a discussion of an actual child observation in the particular area and an interpretation of the data gathered. The text serves college students as a guide for observing and recording development of young children in their student teaching and coursework. The book is especially well suited as a supplementary text for child development courses. It also can help in-service teachers and assistants who are upgrading their skills in observing children, as well as those who are learning to plan for individuals based on their developmental needs. Unique aspects ofObserving Development of the Young Childinclude discussions of how to observe and interpret the data recorded, and plan for children based on observations. Important topics include children's emotional development, how young children make friends, how to help children develop empathy toward others as the basis for conflict resolution, how children use exploratory play to learn, and how to develop children's creativity through dramatic play. NEW FEATURES IN THE FIFTH EDITION New developmental assessment instruments are discussed, along with alternate approaches to child assessment using shadow studies, play-based assessment and child interviews, as well as digital camera photos. New information on the emergence of emotions in young children is presented, with special attention given to affection and love in early childhood as the basis for a child's growth and development in every area. New brain research showing the importance of physical development is translated into new large motor activities such as Eric Carle's picture book From Head to Toe, motivating children into exercising every muscle in their bodies. Can preschool children complete 100-piece puzzles? Do we underestimate their skills? Read on. Teachers of children learning English as a second language will find new support in Chapter 10 on spoken language, as will teachers encouraging prewriting and prereading Skills (Chapter 11). Using picture books to assist children's development continues to pl