PRESCHOOL OBSERVATION AND RESEARCH PROJECT



PRESCHOOL OBSERVATION AND RESEARCH PROJECT

Developmentally Appropriate Programs

Purpose:

1. To research the physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and moral development of a preschool child.

2. To gain experience evaluating settings and materials that foster a preschooler’s growth and development.

3. To research, create and evaluate a developmentally appropriate activity for a preschool child.

Part 1: Format

Use the checklist below to check your research paper. All elements of the project must be checked off BEFORE your paper will be accepted for evaluation.

❑ Cover page: PRESCHOOL OBSERVATION AND RESEARCH PROJECT: Developmentally Appropriate Programs, name, date and class

❑ Table of Contents

❑ Each section clearly labeled

❑ Reference Page – Must record ALL works cited, using the appropriate MLA format

❑ At least 7 references (only 4 may be online sources)

❑ In test citation

❑ Pages numbered

❑ Typed (Arial font /12)

❑ Lesson Plan

❑ Artifact

❑ Evaluation of lesson

❑ Scorecard

Part 2: Research

Research the growth and development of the preschool child. Identify the individual sections:

➢ Physical – height, weight, gross and fine motor skills, eating, teeth, bathing, dressing, and toileting

➢ Social – personality, social patterns, family relationships

➢ Emotional – specific emotions, expressions of emotions

➢ Intellectual – speech, reading, writing, math, preoperational thinking, concentration

➢ Moral Development – concepts of right and wrong

➢ Toys and Creative Play – common play patterns, toys

➢ Safety Precautions – common accidents, health factors

➢ Parenting and Discipline – effective methods

Part 3: Observations Site and Learning Materials

Describe and diagram a preschool. Using guidelines, answer questions regarding the site and evaluate it. See attached information.

Part 4: Learning Activity

➢ Research and develop a developmentally appropriate lesson for preschoolers.

➢ Use the attached lesson plan guideline/format and assemble materials needed to execute the lesson.

➢ Demonstrate the lesson during class time.

➢ Evaluate lesson using the Activity Evaluation form attached.

➢ Lesson Plan and artifact must be attached to the final project.

Part 5: Personal Evaluation

Explain the specific actions carried out to complete this project. This section could include information concerning the amount of time you spent, discussion about how you felt about the actual experience, what you learned about the development of a preschool child, and what kind of environment best supports a young child.

Grade:

The completed research project is worth 200 points

OBSERVATION

Directions: Using the form as a guide, take notes while observing a preschool classroom. Observations for this project must be word processed and submitted with the research project. Include the directions with each of your responses.

ENVIRONMENTS

1. List what you see in the classroom that is inviting to the children and to their families.

2. Describe what you see in the classroom that says to children and their families that each child belongs in the classroom.

3. List what you see in the classroom or what the adults did that provides children the feeling that his is a place they can trust.

4. Describe what in the environment provides children the opportunity to do things on their own and become independent.

5. Describe what tells children that this classroom is a safe place to explore and try new ideas.

LITERACY AND COMMUNICATION

1. Describe the book center (Are there a wide variety of children’s books available at the children’s physical level, age level and intellectual level? Is the area comfortable? Describe what you see happening.)

2. List titles of 5 books that have a multicultural theme.

3. List titles of 5 books that discuss gender identity.

4. List titles of 5 books that have to do with social issues (death, divorce, friendship, new baby in family, and other issues affecting young children)

5. List 3 examples of written communication in the classroom, such as labels, posters, notes home, newsletters, captioned art, etc.

COGNITIVE

1. List the separate learning areas or centers you observe in the classroom.

2. List an activity in each center that would engage the children in thinking or problem solving.

3. Is children’s work displayed in the classroom? Is it at their level? Is it creative work or copies of the same paper or project? Explain.

OBSERVATION REFLECTION

Write about your overall impression of the classroom environment. This reflection should be at least 1 typed page.

DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PRACTICE

Lesson Plan

Name:

Goal(s) of Lesson/Objective(s):

Description:

Procedure:

Materials/Supplies Needed:

SCORECARD

Part 1: Research

Physical /10

Height, weight, eating, small motor skills, large motor skills, teeth, bathing, dressing, toileting

Social /10

Personality, social patterns, family relations

Emotional /10

Specific emotions, expression of emotions

Intellectual /10

Preoperational thinking, concentration, reading, writing, speech, math

Moral /10

What the child believes is right or wrong, moral development

Toys and Creative Play /10

Common play patterns, toys

Safety Precautions /10

Common accidents, health factors, immunizations

Parenting and Discipline /10

Effective methods, common issues

____________

Total /80

PART 2: OBSERVATION

Environments /10

Literacy and Communication /10

Cognitive /10

Observation Reflection /10

__________

Total /40

Part 3: Learning Activities

ATTACHED LESSON PLAN, EVALUATION, AND ARTIFACT OF PROJECT

__________

Total /50

Part 4: Personal Evaluation

SPECIFIC TASKS, TIME, OVERALL VIEW

__________

Total /20

Additional

(Proper formatting, neatness, etc.)

__________

Total /10

FINAL TOTAL /200

Comments:

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