D4- Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of this method of observing children.
The advantage of structured recording is that it’s quick and easy to read and use. The disadvantages are that you will only be able to identify the skills and development they have used which are on the chart. An example of a structured recording was when we observed each other playing children’s games
D5- Identify the main influences that may affect the social development of children
If a child is neglected of nourishment and/or nurture in the early years, it may not be of the parents will that this takes place. For whatever reason though that nourishment and nurture is missing, the parents should be concerned as to their child's developmental process. It has been researched and become a known aspect of child development in the field. Nourishment and nurture, two of the most significant influences, are missing in some children's lives.
D6- Describe how snack and mealtimes can support the social development of children
Snack and mealtimes support the social development as when young children eat they would sit at a table with other children and socialise. They would also learn manners like please and thank you. They would make new friends and learn new things about other children. The children would learn how to be more independent and do things for themselves. Snack and mealtimes can benefit your child as if you introduced your child to different food from other countries you would be introducing them to different cultures and what there foods are like.
D7- Show an understanding of diversity and inclusive practice
Diversity is that everyone is different and inclusive practice is where everyone is included, you need to include everyone even if they’re different.
You would have to include different religions to include children from all religious backgrounds and to make them not feel excluded.
Some children’s development will be slower than others and some will be quicker, some children will be more mature and advanced than others. You would have to give advanced children appropriate material to engage them in an activity.
C1- Identify the possible effects of transitions on the development of children.
Transitions are an essential part of growing up and the most important ones happen when we are babies and young children.
Some of the more universal transitions that all children experience are
* Birth itself
* From milk to solids
* From crawling to walking
* From being fed to feeding ourselves
* From nappies to being trained
* Becoming self aware
* Able to be cared for by others
* Going to nursery
* Going to school
* Developing new skills.
Other transitions that some of the children in your care may experience are:
* A new baby- A new baby joining the family would cause the child to feel jealous and upset as before all the attention would have been on the child and now the attention is on the new baby.
* Violence/abuse- A child witnessing violence/abuse could cause a child to use violence/abuse on other children they come in contact with.
* Parents divorcing/step parent/new partner
* A serious illness/accident/death in the family-A young child witnessing parents crying from a death in the family could affect the child as the child might start to cry constantly.
* Unexpected change of school
* Moving house.
It is these early transitions, and how we cope with them that will have the greatest effect on the rest of our emotional development, and on our ability to cope with life’s challenges.
B1- Describe ways the practiconer can support children through transitions.
1) Allow the child to make several visits to the new setting to get familiar with their new environment/surroundings.
2) When child goes to for the visits - to ensure there is at least one main adult the child builds an attachment too.
3) Reading books on topics, talking about it E.g. Starting school
4) Arranging a visit to the new setting.
5) Involving children in preparation e.g. buying school uniform.
6) Encouraging children to ask questions and answer questions.
7) Providing comfort and love to the child.
B2- Explain how observations can be used to support the development of children.
Through observation, a teacher can plan and implement a programme relevant to the child. By noticing what a child can/ cannot do, by seeing where a child's interests are and planning learning experiences around that e.g.: If Florence likes dinosaurs you can count the dinosaurs (maths), bring in books on dinosaurs etc... When observing a child you will notice every little thing that is different, you will notice if a child has a developmental delay. This is when a child is not meeting their milestones (Tassoni, 2007)
Parents and teachers are constantly making judgments of what children are capable of doing and understanding, and challenging them just enough to take a further step in their learning, that is working in the child's zone of proximal development. Proximal development is known as "the distance between the actual developmental level as determined by independent problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem solving under adult guidance, or in collaboration with more capable peers". (Simply Psychology 2012)
It also helps to find out what the next step is from where the child is currently at, and provides the help and guidance to move them forward.
A1- Explain why it is important for practitioners to understand the pattern of development of children
Knowing typical patterns of development means that you will have reasonable expectations for children's behaviour. You won't expect a seven-month-old to adjust immediately to a new caregiver or a toddler to comply willingly with every request. It also means that you will have some basis for deciding when you need to look more closely at behaviours that are not typical within given ages.
An understanding of infant growth and development patterns and concepts is necessary for parents and caregivers to create a nurturing and caring environment which will stimulate young children's learning. The growth and development of infants are periods of rapid change in the child's size, senses, and organs. Each change brings about new abilities. An infant's development in motor coordination, forming concepts, learning and using language, having positive feelings about self and others prepares them to build upon new abilities that will be needed for each change in a new stage of development. Caregivers can provide activities and opportunities for infants that encourage exploration and curiosity to enhance children's overall development.
As we observe children, we need to consider their goals. What effects are they trying to create? We observe their actions and listen to their comments to determine the strategies they choose to attain those goals. The relation between the strategy and the goal will reveal a possible theory, a theory about how to make the desired effect occur. The theory, correct or incorrect in an objective sense, makes the child's choice of strategy sensible. The theory comes from us. It is our speculation. It is our attempt to find an entry into the child's world. All high-level conversations begin with someone speculating about the meaning of the other person's words or actions.
A*- Reflect on reasons why everyday care routines are important in early years group settings.
Children learn from routine and practice and derive security and confidence from knowing what's expected of them. A good care routine will also provide a lot of time for interactions between carers and children, this is especially important, as a strong attachment are vital in a child's first years of development.
Routines help a child build confidence in themselves, when child has a routine established and knows what is expected out of them and how long they have to get the job done it will manage their time and behaviour. Routines are an important part of any child's life because they help children develop a sense of stability and order. When things are predictable, when the same things happen in a certain order at a certain time of day, children are reassured that the world is a safe place in which they can learn to make their way.
Routines are important as a child can become unsettled and children can become strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and key workers. A routine provides a predictable pattern to each session the body tends to like routine. An example is you get hungry at certain times of the day and so on.
It helps children settle into the nursery, they feel as if they belong there and after a few weeks, they'll roughly know what they will be doing after playtime, when snack time is, etc.
As for play, once the routine has been set, i.e., waiting in turn until it's their turn to go on the slide, the children will quickly adjust to the new routine.
D8- Include references and a bibliography
, (Last accessed 17th September 2012)
ECRP, (Last accessed 17th September 2012)
Tassoni P (2007) Child care and Education 3rd edition, Heinemann, Essex
Simply Psychology http://www.simplypsychology.org/Zone-of-Proximal-Development.html (Last accessed 17th September 2012)