Infant-Toddler Observation
Pick 1 video you would like to use: Watch the video Re-watch the video, focusing on What happens at the start of the observation/ video? What is the child doing? Do they know you are observing?
How do they respond? What do they do/ say? (This info will go into your paper) Identify 4 parts (called vignettes or mini-stores) of the videos that you feel are important and would like to document in your paper. Identify vignettes that you feel capture the child and who they are.
What happens as you end the observation/ video? What is the child doing? Do they know the observation is finishing? How do they respond? What do they do/ say? (This info will go into your paper) Try to own the observation; give the child a name, try to imagine yourself in the setting actually observing the child. Weave those details into your paper. Each vignette should describe the child engaged in an activity.
Each activity should be 2-3 minutes of the video, and you should document the entire activity (dont stop writing your vignette in the middle of the activity). In other words, you should have 4 vignettes that are 4 activities and each activity/ vignette should be 2-3 minutes of video Watch the video a third time or more, this time take very detailed notes.
These notes are called field notes. The field notes should describe the childs behaviors, actions, and reactions during each vignette and activity. Specifically, you should document what happens in the vignette in sequential order, capturing: What does the child do during the vignette? How does the child move including all types of movements)? What does the child looks at, gaze at?
What seems to attract the childs interest? How can you tell? What toys, materials, and/or furniture does the child use during the vignette How? How does the child vocalize, including cries, babbling, and using real words? What other ways does the child communicate, including facial expressions and gestures?
How does the child interact with people?
Anything else you notice. Your field notes will help you write your paper. If you would like, you can use the Field Notes Form to record your field notes. Jot down info that will help you dont worry about spelling or writing full sentences. Keep the field notes for yourself. Use your notes to construct your paper.
Attached is the Writing your Observation Summary Paper Chart that will help you when writing your Observation Summary Paper. Again, this is for you and it is optional. Describe your vignettes in sequential order; vignette #1 should happen 1st in the video, vignette #2 next, etc. This is a sample vignette; Write your Introduction paragraph that includes the following information: Describe the setting of the observation.
Where did the observation take place? Describe the physical space. What furniture, materials, equipment were in the space? How were the furniture, materials, and equipment positioned? Who was present?
Describe the child. How old is the child? Describe the childs physical appearance hair, skin, facial features, body type, and clothing. Write the Conclusion paragraph that answers the following questions:
What struck you from the observation, either while you observing the child or when you were writing your paper?
What did you learn about the child? What new insights do you have about infants and toddlers from your observation? How does this observation connect to what you have learned in ECE 110?
