Running head: OBSERVATION KLIMER 1

Observation

Mekhaela Klimer

College of Southern Nevada

EDU 220

Professor Wyckoff

19 February 2017
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Observation

Physical

I observed a little girl named Elie who just turned four. She meets most the marks for

physical development. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),

Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, behave, and move (like crawling,

walking, or jumping). (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). Elie is an active child

who hops, skips, and runs around. She is not able to tie her shoes, but she is able to put her

clothes on, although from time to time is running around with an inside-out shirt. Upon this

observation she met the standards of the University of Washington Child Development Guide.

Normal characteristics are described as, Runs, jumps, Dresses self fairly well; cannot tie

shoes. Can feed self with spoon or fork and Takes care of toilet needs more independently;

can stay dry all day but perhaps not all night. (University of Washington, 1993). Elie happily

feeds herself when food and utensils are placed in front of her. She had no accidents but would

sometimes have to be told to go to the restroom when she was trying to hold it.

Emotional

The CDC states that, at this pre-school age, children to show affection. (2017). Elie is

very affectionate with her parents and her cousins. She is a bit shy when it comes to strangers. I

did notice that when she saw her slightly older cousin run up to a person, it encouraged Elie to do

the same. According to University of Washington, the normal characteristics for emotional

development are, May have fear of strangers, animals, the dark. Is anxious to please adults and

is dependent on their approval, love and praise. May strike out emotionally at situation or

persons when having troublesome feelings. (University of Washington, 1993). Elie does meet

these standards in some ways. Elie has a lot of young cousins in her family. They are relatively
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close in age. When she sees them getting praise or love, she tries to gain the same affection. Elie

also lashes out with a temper when she doesnt get her way or if a family member gets something

and she does not.

Intellectual/ Cognitive

The normal characteristics for a three-four year-olds intellectual development in regards

to the University of Washington state, Continues to learn through senses. Uses imagination a

lot; starts dramatic play and role playing; like to play grown-up roles, e.g., Mommy, Daddy,

firefighter, spaceman, Wonder Woman. Begins to see cause-and-effect relationships. Is curious

and Inquisitive. (1993). Elie meets these age standards. As Elie plays, she learns. She knows the

feeling dirt and shows her mom she has to wash her hands. She points out herself or her cousins

in pictures. Elie draws with chalk and other utensils, photos of herself, her parents, and their

family pets. Elie is in a police officer phase. She wanted her birthday party to be cops and

robbers. She likes to play the officer role and makes siren noises when playing in her toy car. She

is learning more and more about sharing. Sometimes she does not want to and will throw the

item when she is told to give it. She is learning that by throwing items she can hurt someone else

or damage things. Lastly, Elie is absolutely curious and inquisitive as she is always asking,

Why?

Social/Psychosocial

At Elies young age, she has grown up with her cousins. She meets the University of

Washingtons social development standards which indicate, Starts to be more interested in

others; begins group play; like company. Is not ready for games or competition; groups are not

well formed. (1993). Elie likes playing with others but, she also gets upset when her older

cousins win games because they are more competitive. The University of Washington also states,
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Can leave mother for short periods but mother is still very important. (1993). This goes for

both of Elies parents. She can be dropped off by them while they go to work, and is very excited

to see them when they return to pick her up.

Moral

The moral development for a three to four-year-old, according to the University of

Washington state that the normal characteristics are, Begins to know right from wrong. Finds

others opinions of self to be important. Is more self-controlled and less aggressive. (1993). Elie

partially meets these standards. I saw that she broke a few crayons that were not hers. You can

tell she knows she did something wrong but was trying to hide them back in the box before her

mom saw. She also gave the same look after hitting her baby cousin with a toy. Overall she is

aware that she is not supposed to be doing certain things but she still tests her limits in some

cases. This also falls into the aggressiveness category. Elie does have a habit of getting very

upset and angry when she doesnt get her way. Her parents are very calm when dealing with her

reactions. I think this is a great way to go about temper tantrums because the last thing you want

to do is show an aggressive child is aggression back. Elie is still developing in all aspects.
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References

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Child development: Preschoolers (3-5 years

of age). Retrieved from

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/preschoolers.html

University of Washington. (1993). Child development: Using the child development guide.

Retrieved from

http://depts.washington.edu/allcwe2/fosterparents/training/cdevguid/cdg05.htm
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