This commentary focuses on an observation of a focus child. It also contains learning theories and strategies that might be used to enhance learning and development for the child. The child is a y5 pupil who is currently working towards the level 2 curriculum. The child was observed during a French lesson.
A narrative observation was used as it provides rich detail and clear statements of the child’s behaviour during the lesson, which can be further used to enhance the child’s learning, ("Obs. Methods", 2018). For example, evaluating provision as such what is interesting and motivating the child. From the observation of the focus child, it is shown that the child was not interested in the subject. (See Appendix 1). For example, the child did not start the activity until the teacher provided support. This however could suggest the child was struggling therefore to enhance learning and development scaffolding was used. By breaking down a task and adjusting the level of assistance can help maintain understanding. For example, fill in the blanks. The child struggled to write full sentences, thus using the strategy the teacher can write
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For example, the teacher builds on the knowledge the child has of a topic. Scaffolding is like a research assignment in which the child is made to find the solution to unanswered questions. This motivates the child and gives them an urge to learn more. Scaffolding also minimizes the child’s level of frustration. It can be used to "cool down" learners who are easily frustrated when learning with their peers, ("Advantages & Disadvantages of Scaffolding in the Classroom | Synonym", 2018). As evident in the observation, the child did not start the activity until the teacher came and support was available to
Kidwatching shows many different things when it comes to collecting data on how a student or student’s learn over a period of time. When doing kidwatching observations, it is important to monitor everything that could have an influence on a student’s performance. Different things such as resources, environments, interactions, etc. are a few things that can affect a student when it comes to learning. Being able to kidwatch at Killian Elementary, I’ve been able to collect a great deal of data when it comes to seeing a student as a scientist. This opportunity has allowed me to look at teaching science many different ways that can show how much students are interested and how much he/she understands.
Observations are carried out to collect information such as: how a child is progressing; how they learn; their interests; and what they are learning through their play. Along with their unique abilities, talents and needs. Observations can be holistic or focused to one area and indicate whether children are at the expected stage (Early Years Matters, 2015). They can also identify possible SEN. Afterwards, the information retrieved from observations are used to assess and plan for
Understanding the circumstances of children plays significant role in devising the strategies to support the learning of children and young people. Through understanding the circumstances, the care takers get insight about the child behavior and under which situations they are active. Through the deep insight and better understandings of the situations helps the educators and caretakers to formulate the strategies that are best suited to support the learning of young children and adults (Meece, et al., 2006).
Another rather consistent observation I saw was the indication that most children used their parent as a secure base. A secure base is provided through a relationship that harbors one or more responsive caregivers who meets the child’s needs and to whom the child can turn to as a safe haven, when upset or distraught. This relationship can be seen in many of the observations I made. The one that stands out the most and that clearly depicts how a child uses a secure base is Susy. Susy used her parents as secure base when she was frightened by the boy that was older than her and whom she didn’t know. She ran to her parents for protection and comfort from the stranger. Another clear depiction of a secure base was when Susy demonstrated separation
Lots of observations were collected whilst the children were making their maps and working together to find the word treasure, so I have highlighted just a few to address the overall understandings of the findings.
I carried out two types of observation: these being narrative observation and time sampling. I chose to do both because the strengths of each help to support the weaknesses of the other. The main weaknesses of time sampling are that it causes the observer to miss potentially important behaviours that occur between the times the child is being observed and that the context of the behaviour is not recorded meaning that no cause and effect can be seen. It is because of these weaknesses that I chose to perform a narrative observation as well; this type of observation has ample detail and focuses on the whole of a scenario: that being the cause of a behaviour, the behaviour itself and the result of the behaviour. These strengths make up for the weaknesses of time sampling however, narrative observation also has weaknesses. Narrative observation is very time consuming and, especially when done for short periods, can be limited in the breadth of information gained.
He also noted that the more information are simplified, the better the child will learn and then once these skills are absorbed and acquired, we can refer back to them and add a new skill in a wider perspective of learning. This was referred to as ‘scaffolding’. Albert Bandura refers that children cognitive learning grows as a matter of the social learning theory which is children will learn on what they see adults are doing and incorporate their observation in their actions and learning. This model of learning needs to be practiced while making sure that the 4 key conditions are
I observed Mrs. Linscott’s classroom with three year olds at the East Lansing Child Development Laboratory. Along with the children, there were a few adults to help in the class. I focused on seven main things while observing the children. First, I focused on one child for 15 minutes and took note of their motor, language, and social development. The second thing I observed was how the adults in the classroom interacted with the children. Third, I payed attention to the children’s emotional development. Next, I took notes on the children’s communication and language skills. I also observed the children’s behavior from a Piagetian perspective. Then, I observed how the children’s learning could be shaped by the interactions with the adults.
Teachers must pay attention to presenting to their students, is very important in their education. If the student finds it too much of challenge there will give up and if it’s too easy there will be bored. An example of teaching strategies is scaffolding strategic support that teachers provide that allows children to complete a task they could not accomplish independently (Vygotsky, 1978; Wood, Bruner, & Ross, 1976). Teacher needs to plan out a task according to the child ability to help they respond and engaged the lesson there increase their independent performance in school. It creates an understanding of English is pronouncing and how to read, both of these skills are important in life. By making these an important part of early child development it reinforces these
Scaffolding is metaphorical term which refers to the process through which teachers facilitate children’s learning by enabling them achieve a level of ability beyond the child’s current capacity. Through scaffolding, teachers play an active role by interacting with children to support their development by providing structures that support them to stretch their understanding or me...
Observation is important as the practitioner can find out what the child is interested in and what motivates them to learn alongside their progress and how they behave in certain situations, additionally at the same time it identifies if children need assistance within certain areas of learning or socially (DCSF, 2008). Furthermore the observations check that the child is safe, contented, healthy and developing normally within the classroom or early years setting, over time the observations can be given to parents as they show a record of progress which helps to settle the parent and feel more comfortable about their child’s education. Observations are not only constructive within learning about an individual child, they can be used to see how different groups of children behave in the same situation and how adults communicate and deal with children’s behaviour (Meggitt and Walker, 2004). Overall observations should always look at the positives of what children can complete within education and not look at the negatives and all observations should become a fundamental part of all practitioners work alongside reflection (Smidt, 2009).
...earning story with noticing, recognising and responding is crucial, and it is imperative that teachers take the time to learn how to assess a child correctly.
The second theory was “Recognition of the crucial role of children’s self-initiated, active involvement in learning activities. In a Piagetian clas...
Understanding and observing a child’s development and learning skills. Progress can then be assessed and next steps can be planned to ensure the child keeps on developing.
Observation, combined with anecdotal records, is essential, especially in the early grades. By observing and keeping track of these observations, teachers are able to tell a lot about their students. For example, they can see how they interact socially with other peers as well as how well they carry out a given task. I am inclined to be an early elementary teacher, in grades K-3. The first years of school are my ideal age group. The early childhood stage is a time when children develop the most. They are developi...