Aussie Childcare Network Forum

RESEARCH TAKS PART A

Record six observations (jottings) of each child's interactions with peers and adults. Where possible, you should conduct the observations at different periods of the day. ( Three examples 3 years + & 1-2 years )

For an example:

When the child is engaging in dramatic or pretend play, at meal times, engaged in conversation with another adult, when being given directions as part of a group and if possible when the child is playing alone and prehaps suing private speech (this can be difficult to capture)

When you have finished your observations, write a summary of your findings in relation to your knowledge of normal speech development.

Suggest one goal for each child in relation to ongoing language development?

Comment on your own skills as an observer - what did you find out about your ability to tune in to your children's language? Where you able to pick up on specific language skills that you may have otherwise not notice in the normal course of the day?

THIS IS WHAT I WROTE:

(I need to extend on it more)

3+ years

Mary is from India and hardly speaks English. Always crying and can't speak English. To ask the parents to write down some words in Indian for the educators to talk to the Mary when she comes to the centre.

By making a poster of water, food , nappy change to encourage Mary to use words to encourage her.

Maybe you could make some 'words on rings' for Mary to carry around with her with a picture (Toilet, Water, Food etc) and the English word so that if she wants something she can find it on her ring and show the educators?

Your question is:

When the child is engaging in dramatic or pretend play, at meal times, engaged in conversation with another adult, when being given directions as part of a group and if possible when the child is playing alone and perhaps suing private speech (this can be difficult to capture)

Your observation:

Mary is from India and hardly speaks English. Always crying and can't speak English. To ask the parents to write down some words in Indian for the educators to talk to the Mary when she comes to the centre.

This is judgemental as you have generalised what Mary does "always crying" and "can't speak English". As an observer you need to watch Mary at some point during the day and write EXACTLY what happens during that period. Who she talks to, what she says, her non verbal cues etc. Your observation is incorrect and you will need to re-do it. Also, Indian isn't a language. In India there are 22 main languages, so you will need to find out which language Mary speaks with her family. For e.g. tamil, telugu, Hindi, malayalam etc.

Hope this helps,

,
Lorina