Case Study: Sylvia Santilla

I. Subject
a. Name: ZH
b. Age: 5 years old, 3 months
c. Race, ancestry: Caucasian
d. Gender: Male
II. Information Source
Describe the method or tool you used to gather information about the subject
and any additional sources you used (interviews, observations, informal
conversations with parents, checklists, state or national milestone resources)
I used the 5 year old checklist, Arizona Learning Standards and Observations
and the developmental milestones for 5 years olds from the web site
provided. I have an opportunity to observe ZH in the afternoons, when school
is out and he attends Extended Day. Even though its only for a couple of
hours that I see Z and get to observe him, I feel that he is doing very well in
his development.

III.Background Information
a. Describe significant characteristics of child; family; socioeconomic level;
parents education; occupation; etc think of any information that might
influence the childs development during your time of observation
ZH is the youngest of 4 siblings. His two older step brothers dont live at
home anymore. He has a sister who is in 8th grade and a brother who is in
5th grade. His parents are not married, but they were both married before.
The two older sons are from his fathers side and the sister and other
brother are from his moms side. His mother works for the school district
as a bus driver, so when we have spring break or summer break, he gets
to stay home and not attended our program. Afterschool, ZH is in our
program from 3:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

b. Describe childs physical characteristics (size in relationship to others the

same age, health, and abilities)

ZH is average size, compared to his 25 classmates. He has thin blonde

hair, his side burns cover his ears. He has greenish-hazel eyes. His body is
on the athletic side. ZH doesnt wear any glasses and doesnt have any
special tools to assist him during the day.
c. Describe the childs attendance and participation patterns
Since the school year started, ZH has only missed 5 days of school. 2 of
those days, he was sick and then the other 3, he went to Disneyland for
his birthday. ZH is always participating in all the activities we offer. He
enjoys playing and making up new games with his peers. He always has
different ideas and suggestions that we take and do. Ive never witness
him, not wanting to participate in something.
d. Describe behavioral characteristics and performances from the checklist
completed that you feel identify the child as typically developing;
atypical delayed or gifted
In general, ZH was able to do everything on the 5 year old checklist. The
only thing I didnt observe was him dressing himself, but I did ask him if
his mom helps him get dress and he said, No, I do it all by myself. ZH is
doing very well in his development, according to the Arizona Early
Learning Standards. I wouldnt be surprise if he can do the 6 year old
checklist. ZH did very well with his letter recognition and sounds.
III.

Developmental Performance
a. Describe the childs key areas of interest; support these statements with
observations or examples
ZH enjoys spending time in the Dramatic area. He enjoys dressing up with
all the costumes and clothing articles that are available. Depending on the
costume he wears, he acts like that character or how that person would
act. Ive noticed lately that he goes into the library center, when he is
tired, because he didnt take a nap that day. He lays on the little couch
and looks at the same book all the time, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

b. Describe the childs areas of limitation; support these statements with

observations or examples
ZH doesnt have any area of limitations. He enjoys and engages in all the
areas that are available. He is always the first one to ask and do the art
project of the day. ZH enjoys all different kinds of art, from drawing a
flower-garden scenery to water painting a butterfly. We have different
activities and different toys that we have to relate to our theme, thats
why I believe he is always engaging in everything, because its something
new and different everyday. Now, I believe if it was the same stuff
everyday, maybe he wouldnt be engaging too much.
c. Describe the childs overall personality/temperament; support these with
observations or examples
ZH is very independent, he likes to do and try new things on his own. If
he doesnt succeed the first time, he keeps trying. If he gets tired of
trying, he does ask for help. His personality is very outgoing and
sometimes sarcastic. He enjoys making his friends laugh and likes to
include most of his friends in the activities that he is involved. ZH is the
leader of the group of boys that play with him. When ZH does something,
his friends want to do the same thing he does and they copy everything
he does. ZH temperament is normal, meaning that he seems to get upset
to things that have reason and not just because someone is in the front of
the line.
IV.Conclusion and Recommendations
a. In one paragraph, write your own appraisal of the child based on the
information you have gathered and presented
ZH is a typical outgoing 5 year old, who enjoys engaging with his peers
and teachers. He is an independent individual that likes to try new things
on his own, before asking for any assistance. His personality and sarcasm
can fill a classroom with laughing children. ZH likes to engage in all the
activities that are provided by him and likes to make new suggestions that
we can do for the following day, relating to the theme.

b. Make recommendations for meeting the childs current developmental

needs in the classroom
At this moment ZH is meeting all the current developmental needs.

c. Make suggestions for family activities that promotes growth in the future
ZH parents can continue to review his letters and numbers with him. Now
that he will soon be going to Kindergarten, just having him continue to
practice writing his first and last name, and upper and lower case letters.
Always, making sure he writes from right to left ZH parents can also start
teaching him about his home address, home numbers, and where and
what mom and dad work, just in case of an emergency.