Child Initiated Play Observation. My observation of Child M took place in play area during their outdoor and indoor activity time .

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Humera Ali  

ALI07244459

7/11/11

Unit 4 - Task 2

Child Initiated Play Observation

Introduction

I am currently working with a group of 12 children in a nursery ‘Red’ Classroom. As I watch the children during their initiated play activity, I make the following observation.The  individual selected for observation is Child ‘M’  3 years old female. Permission from the child's parent for an observation was obtained. Physical observation consisted of simply remaining in the area where the child is involve in different activities with other children and supervise by the members of staff and me. Using a pen and paper tick chart observation reporting method is record  for a period of forty minutes. My observation of Child ‘M’ took place in play area during their outdoor and indoor activity time .

Aim: To observe child in a play activity. My objectives for this observation are as follows:

  • To assess how the child’s overall development is supported
  • To comment on the milestones observed during play
  • To comment on how what I observed is supported by a specific theory
    of learning or development
  • Explain what I have learnt about the type and level of play observed
  • To comment on the role of the adult
  • To make future recommendation to support and promote child’s learning and development.

Observation  - Child ‘M’

Date and Time: 04/11/11

Child’s identifier: Child ‘M’

Room: Playing area (both indoor and outdoor)

Child’s age: 3 years old (female)

Brief Description of Child: Child ‘M’ is a girl of 3 years old. She is wearing a pink jumper, black trousers and boots.

Context: Child ‘M’ was observed on Friday 4th November 2011 at 9:20 am. She was indoor playing in the sand pit with 3 other children, socks and spoons to play with. She also went to play outside with another child, running around.

Observation:

Time : from 9:20am  - 10:20 am
Observed  for an  hour
Level of Play/ Type of play

Method: The method I have use to observe child’s initiated play is the time sample  method.

9:20am
Child 'M' is playing indoor in the sand pit with 3 other children. The play area is safe and comfortable for children to play around. In the room there are activities like a small kitchen set, sand pit, wooden blocks in corner, water buckets and clay adding materials. There are 3 red sofas and a wooden rack full with story books like musical books to attract children, there is a painting stand for children to choose from several colours and paint.
, and a  CD player that plays nursery rhymes in the background .

Child ’M’ is using a spoon to fill up a sock. She is holding the spoon in her right hand and the sock in her left hand. She is carefully putting the sand into the sock. She is also interacting with the other children -'My sock is nearly full to top’. This level of play would be referred to as co-operative, because child 'M' is playing and interacting in the same play theme with other children. It helps to improve and develop muscles in children’s arms, as well as aiding their hand-eye coordination.

9:35am

At the writing table by herself. She is drawing a picture of her 'mummy and daddy' with a red felt tip pen. She has made two irregular circles and made straight lines for hair in the same colour. This level of play would be referred to as solo, as child is playing by herself. The type of play observed here is creative play. By examine the marks it begin to show some control in use of tools ,equipment and movements on paper.

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9:45am

Child 'M' is at the play dough table playing with other children. She is making cakes for everyone at the table, using baking tray and cutters. She carefully puts the 'circle cakes' into the tray. Again this type of play would be creative play, and the level of play would be collaborative play. This is a fine motor skills, using her hands and finger tips.

10:00am
She is now playing outside by herself on the climbing frame. Wearing her jacket. She is waiting for her turn to down the slide. This level of play would be ...

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