El Camino College

Young, Ed.D

Instructor: Janet

Child Development 103

Preschool Observation Overview

OBJECTIVE: This project has been developed to help you understand the role and value of play in
the development of a preschool child. You will have the opportunity to study terms and behaviors
associated with language development and play and to observe various types of play in an actual
early childhood education setting. You will then have the opportunity to explain and evaluate
what you observed.
STEP ONE: Make the appointment. For this assignment you are required to observe in a
preschool or licensed family childcare program for a minimum of two hours. The children must be
between the ages of 2 1/2 to 5 years. Be sure to call the program director and explain that you
are in a child development class at El Camino College and request permission to observe. You may
observe in a school that is closer to your home or work. Let me know (immediately) if the school
wants a letter from me to confirm that you are in a child development class at ECC.
STEP TWO: Prepare for the observation: Read the instructions for this assignment. Read
the textbook and familiarize yourself with all the terms and behaviors described. Design a strategy
for recording information about each topic
STEP THREE: Conduct the Observation: record what the children do or say as it relates to the
terms below. Do not include their names. Sit quietly in an inconspicuous place during the visit.
Try to minimize any interaction with the teacher and children so that you do not disrupt their class
time. Be sure to thank the teachers and the director when you are thorough. Sending a thank you
note, shortly after your visit, is VERY professional gesture.
STEP FOUR: Write the report. Cut and paste the information below into your WORD document
and use it as a template. Fill in the various parts as described. Your report should be
approximately 8-11 double-space typed pages for full credit. You will need to formally quote and
cite the text for full credit in the summary. Please see the attached document Quoting and Citing
the Text for instructions.
See the next page for full instructions
Grading Rubric
(This is the rubric I will use to grade your report)
Points
Points
Comments
Possible
Earned
Format is followed. Font
5
size/headings
I. General Information is
5
complete
II. Observations: Definitions and Three (3) well-developed examples that directly
relate to the term.
A. Language Skills
8
B. Fine Motor Skills
6
C. Gross Motor Skills
6
D. Functional Play
6
E. Constructive Play
6
F. Cooperative Play
6
III. Summary book is quoted and cited a minimum of three (3) times in the
appropriate areas. Summary is well-written and complete. Meets minimum two-page
requirement.
Role of Play
15
Does the Program Promote
10
Play?

Would You Enroll Your Child?

Assignment Evaluation
Work Cited Page Included (See
sample.)

10
5
2
See the next page for full instructions

Observation Report Instructions

(NOTE:

Cut and paste this section into a WORD document and use it as
a template for your report.
The fields will expand as you add information.

I. General Information
Name of Facility
Date of Visit
Address of Facility
Ages of Children (Must be 2 - 5)

Directors Name
Teachers Name
Time In
Phone Number
Time Out

II. Observation:

Make each of these behaviors/terms a separate bolded heading so

that I can find them easily in your report. Provide THREE examples of each of the terms
( A- F). Use complete sentences and explain what you observed in detail. You will usually
need 2 or 3 sentences to adequately explain each example.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you do not observe one of these items, you still need to explain exactly
what you were looking for. You may use examples from the book to convince me that you
understand the concept and that you would have recognized it if you saw it. If you do not do this,
I will assume that you skipped it and I will deduct points.
A. Language Skills: A childs ability to speak and to communicate so that he/she can
understand and be understood by others. It includes grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and
inflections. Language arts activities include speaking, listening, pre-reading and pre-writing
(Young, 2012).

Example 1:
Example 2:
Example 3:
B. Fine Motor Skills: Physical abilities involving the hands, and more specifically, the
fingers. It involves activities that help a child develop the pincer grasp and prepares them
for handwriting (Young, 2012).

Example 1:
Example 2:
Example 3:

C. Gross Motor Skills: Physical abilities involving large body movements that help children
develop and strengthen the large muscles in their arms and legs (Young, 2012).
Example 1:

Example 2:

Example 3:

D. Functional Play: Play that involves simple, repetitive activities typical of 3-year olds.
This may involve objects or repetitive muscular movement. Examples include moving dolls or
cars repetitively, skipping, jumping, rolling or unrolling a piece of clay (Feldman, 2012).
Example 1:
Example 2:
Example 3:

E. Constructive Play: More sophisticated play, in which children manipulate objects to

produce of build something. This skill is usually developed by age 4. Constructive play lets
children test physical and cognitive skills and practice fine muscle movements., Examples
include building a doll house or car garage our of Leggos or blocks, putting together a
puzzle, making an animal out of clay (Feldman, 2012).
Example 1:
Example 2:
Example 3:

F. Cooperative Play: In this type of play children genuinely play with one another, taking
turns, playing games, or devising contests. Examples include a group of children working on
a puzzle may take turns fitting in the pieces. Children play will dolls or cars and may take
turns making the dolls talk or may agree on the rules of the game or activity (Feldman,
2012).
Example 1:
Example 2:
Example 3:

III. Summary Must be a minimum of two-full pages for full credit.

Be sure to quote and

cite the text a minimum of three (3) times for full credit. This is where most people lose points.
1. Role of Play
Begin by explaining the role and value of play in a childs development. Use a minimum of three
quotes from your book to support your position.
2. Does the Program Promote Play?
Explain if/how the program you observed promotes learning through play. Do they provide the
time, space, and materials for childrens play? (Provide both negative and positive examples if
applicable.) Use a minimum of three quotes from your book to support your position.
3. Would You Enroll Your Child in this School?
Would you enroll your own child in this program? If so, why or why not? If you do not have any
children yet, imagine that you do for this assignment. No quotes from the text are needed for
this section.
4. Assignment Evaluation
Do you have any recommendations for changing or improving this College assignment for future
classes?