E3 Explain TWO theoretical perspectives relevant to the areas of development.
Albert Bandura who was born 4th December in a small town of Mundare in North Alberta, Canada. He suggested that children model their behavior of the adults around them. Bandura done a large number of variations; these variations allowed Bandura to establish that there was steps in the modeling process such as attention, retention, reproduction and motivation. His theory implies that we use are all potential role models. Children and young people will observe the way we talk, smile and use hand gestures, as well as those things we want them to copy. Bandura was able to show through a classic video that children would perform actions that they had previously seen an adult do.
Jean Piaget (1896-1980) was a biologist who originally studied molluscs but moved into the study of the development of children's understanding, through observing them and talking and listening to them while they worked on exercises he set. He proposed that children’s thinking does not develop entirely smoothly but instead there are sertain points at which it ‘takes off’ and moves into completely new areas and capabilities. He saw these transitions as taking place at about 18months old, 7 years and 11 or 12 years. This has been taken to mean that before these ages children are not capable of understanding things in certain ways, and has been used as the basis for scheduling the school curriculum. Whether or not should be the case is a different matter.
E6 E7 Explain how to maintain confidentiality throughout the observation.
Confidentiality needs to be made aware of while carrying out observations so that particular individuals can never be linked to the data they provide. This means that you must not record identifying information such as the name of the child or his or hers date of birth. So that no one can track the child down in anyway. Observations and assessments should be stored properly which usually in a secure place. As well as being aware of legislation that looks at the ways in which personal information can be used. For example ‘The Data Protection Act 1998’ was passed to protect individual’s rights and to prevent information from being spread.
It’s also essential that you do not talk to anyone other than those directly involved about concerns or what a child has told you. Maintaining their confidentiality protects them and their families from gossip.
C1 E7 Analyse the issues, which are essential to confidentiality and objective observation.
There are many issues which are essential to confidentiality such as when working with other professionals you are more than likely to hear judgements and comments that are not intended to be repeated outside of meetings or conversations. Documents may also be given to you which are a sensitive nature for example you should not disclose their contents and you must store them in a safe area. Keeping information stored in a safe place keeps other out of reach of reading the confidential information which may intrude individual lives, this stops the family from gossip and hurt. If a child’s information happened to been read by someone other than people in the multi-agency approach or practitioners the child’s family may feel let down and very disappointed. Policies and Procedures are the strategic link between the Company's Vision and its day-to-day operations. It's important because written policies and procedures allow employees to understand their roles and responsibilities within predefined limits. Policies & procedures allow management to guide operations without constant management intervention. It shows practitioners how and what way to do things which will stop prevent information being passed to someone who may not need to know, they also safeguard the practitioners as well. According to the Data Protection Act 1998 its quotes that ‘data must be processed fairly and lawfully’. It also quotes that ‘Personal data processed for any purpose(s) shall not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose’ for example schools keep records of the children’s results and confidential information etc. These should not be kept any longer than time specified.
Objectivity is giving personal attitudes and values-personal feelings about someone or something which can cloud judgement and expectations. If when observing the observer is being objective the observations may not be completed correctly as the observer is being double-minded and thinking what the result will be and not off the best to the child’s own development. No observations should include statements containing judgements that could influence accuracy. As Parents/ careers or even the child may read it in later life. When family and friends are present it can be difficult as you may know the child well and know how he or she is developing and may cause you to make judgements but you have to be open minded and encourage the child to do their best. Being objective can lead you to making assessments and plans that the child is not ready for and the child could find it difficult and could fail, this shows how some children can become frightened of trying new activities as they are afraid of failing. Its better for a child not to no they are being observed as they may be more laid back as they know you are watching them and taking notes. When observing as a non participant observer you stand back and watch everything the child does this shows their best attempt.
In cultural perspectives there are many cultures that everyone inherits through families beliefs, music, food, clothing and many more but it is the practitioners responsibility not to be objective off any child in the setting.
D1 discuss the child’s needs in relation to the selected area of development.
I have recognised the individual needs of ‘J’ which I have observed in cognitive development and notice that he has exceeded his developmental norms. As he is able to tell if an object is heavy, light long and short also can count to ten in two different languages with out support which is high above his age and stage. ‘J’ was not able to sort out simple objects such as coloured elephants. I had asked if he could sort into colour such as a blue group and red groups. He was being distracted by another child in the class at this time and maybe he dismissed my request. ‘J’ is confident to challenge any activity especially when it comes to physical play as he loves sports. The observations are made clear that ‘J’ likes to be popular, speaks his mind and wants to be in charge this maybe because of his personality and confidence he has this could be through playing sport and playing in front of crowds from a young age.
D2 Explain how the observations can be used to support planning to meet the child’s needs.
Observations are used to promote child’s development through many ways it can benefit the child by developing the needs and exceeding them towards higher skills. This is great for the setting as a better learning environment for the children to learn and grow. It also creates a relaxed and happy atmosphere within the setting and the children are at there right appropriate development stage. I as a practitioner I would learn allot more about different types of development and skills. I would get to know the child better and understand how they learn. Through this I would have a better relationship with the child. The teachers would see how each individual is progressing and able to place children into groups according to their needs. They can also use this by feedback to parents how their child is developing. Parents can try to develop the child’s difficulties at home through different types of activities.
These difficulties can be resolved through short term and long term planning in the setting which is setting planned activities around that difficulty which makes it easier to exceed in the development. For example holding scissors while cutting paper may be a difficulty, maybe trying something softer such as play dough could help.
B1 Reflect on the implications for practice of the assessment of children through observation.
Observations are only of value if they have been carefully carried out and then time is spent evaluating and analyzing the information. According to ‘how to observe children’ which is a book written by S Riddall-Leech says that observations, assessments and decision making is a process which is very many professionals students and also parents observe as they want to know more about the child’s development. On the other hand the reliability may not be correct as the child may not have tried their best on that observation as they may have been tired, upset, hungry and so on which may off had an effect on the child’s reactions during the activity.
A1 Evaluate the influence of theoretical perspectives on aspects that affect the development of children.
E8 References & Bibliography
Riddall-Leech.S, How to Observe Children 2nd edition,2008, Heinmann, Pages 5&6.
Tassoni.P, Beith.k, Bulman.k, Eldridge.H, Cache Level 3 Child Care and Education 4th edition, Heinemann, Pages 127, 98, 99, 355
