Evaluation:
Childs Learning: Whilst carrying out this observation on child ‘A’ I noticed that she was creative and enjoyed playing with other children. According to Penny Tassoni, (2002, pg375) “children aged 3-4 start to co-operate with each other and enjoy playing together. Most of their play is pretend play.” So this shows that child ‘A’ is in the norm of her development. Developmental milestones give a general idea of what is expected of a child at certain ages. Comparing child ‘A’s development to the milestones I looked up on the internet, I found out that she is developing at the right pace for her age.
For example, her hand and finger skills are at the right pace. She can make vertical, horizontal and circular strokes with pencil or crayon and she can hold a pencil in writing position. They physical development for her age is developing fine as well. For example, she can she can run around and change directions, use the slide without help and tidy up by sorting big objects in correct places. Her intellectual skills are that she can draw, name, and briefly explain recognizable pictures that she made. Her language is also developing right, she can recognize and identify almost all common objects and pictures, she can understand most sentences and she uses four- and five-word sentences. Her emotional and social skills are also at the right stage for her age. She co-operates with children at the same age and she can take turns in games and activities. All this was compared on the website above, and this shows that child ‘A’ is at the right developmental stage.
Own Learning: Child ‘A’s level of play could be described as co-operative and creative. I think this because she was involved in creative activities with other children. The play theory that would link with this would be the Margaret McMillan and the Susan Isaac theory, because McMillan believed that access to wide varieties of material is important for children’s play which helps them develop as a whole person. This is also links to Isaac’s theory because she believes that play should encourage children to explore their inner most feelings.
When I was doing this observation I noticed that child ‘A’ did not take much notice of me when I was observing her. I think this may have happened due to the fact I was not with her at all times, I came back to her after 15 minutes. However, when I did go to observe her she would keep on looking at me rather than continuing to play but it was not that much as last time I did the observation. So next time when I do an observation again I will try not to get her attention towards myself by standing away from her and observe her from a distance. So next time when I do an observation again I will try not to get her attention towards myself by standing away from her and observe her from a distance.
I think this time sample method was quite effective to use, however, it was not as easy as the tick chart was because the time sample requires time to get information down and important information may not have been recorded. Otherwise it was useful because it gives a wider picture of the child and more information was collected. A better method to use for this observation would have been the tick chart because all you need to do is tick what a child can do. All the areas of development such as Physical, Intellectual, Language, Emotional and Social could have been listed before hand; with everything a child should be able to do at the age of 3/4years old. This way it would have given a wider picture of the child but preparations before hand would have been required. Also you will have to make sure that all areas of development are listed which are presentable.
Adult Role: An adult’s role in creative play is to make sure all the materials and equipment are ready for the children to come and use when they wish. They also have to make sure that the equipments are safe to use. For example, some children may have a reaction from certain types of material like cotton, so to prevent this, the adults must know if children get reaction from any type of material, and must provide alternative materials. It is the adult’s responsibility to look after the children. Adults should check materials and equipment for safety. They should also beware of any risks and hazards which may cause accidents and harm to children and make sure the children are aware of it as well. For example, adults know that the risk to building blocks is that children can throw them and hurt each other. So children should be aware if they throw the blocks it can harm themselves or others.
Also adults must be good role models for the children, as children imitate them. For example, when the children have finished playing with the dough or finished painting then the adult must tell them to wash their hands especially before eating.
According to this website adult’s role in children’s play is to “value children's play and talk to children about their play. Play with children when it is appropriate, especially during the early years. If adults pay attention to and engage in children's play, children get the message that play is valuable. Create a playful atmosphere. It is important for adults to provide materials which children can explore and adapt in play. When play appears to be stuck or unproductive, offer a new prop, suggest new roles, or provide new experiences, such as a field trip.” Adults have a vital role in children’s play; they gain a lot from play. For example, they gain self-esteem, self-confidence and experience of the world through play.
Future Recommendations: The two recommendations I would like to make are that firstly we extend child ’A’s creative play on drawing by providing her a better range of materials and equipment, such as object to draw around, more variety of drawing pens and pencils, and different texture of paper. This will encourage her to express her feelings as well as give her more confidence in drawing free hand and by drawing around objects. She will also gain good hand and eye co-ordination. This will give her the opportunity to and experiment, drawing with other equipment and materials. Secondly, what I would like to recommend is that the adults should encourage her to do more creative play like, painting, printing, junk modelling and dancing because she is only practising one type of creative play which is drawing. By doing the child ‘A’ will have more opportunities to express her feelings by showing them through different play. For example, if she is encouraged to do dancing, she may want to dance to the music which is slow and peaceful to express that she is in a happy peaceful mood. She may decide on another day to dance to fast loud music to express that is angry or upset mood. This will encourage her to do more creative activities and give her the opportunities to express herself in different ways.
Reference:
Beith K. Tassoni P. (2002) Diploma in Childcare and Education- Heinemann- Oxford
Internet –,
Workbook Folder
Bibliography:
Beith K. Tassoni P. (2002) Diploma in Childcare and Education- Heinemann- Oxford
Einon D. (1994) The Essentials of Childhood Learning- Collins- London
Internet –,
Minett P. (1989) Childcare And Development- John Murray- London
