Growing up Children
Select a child in the age range 3 – 8 and obtain the required consents (these will need to be obtained for the peers participating in the observation as well as the target child). Note that you do not submit your Letters of Consent with your assignment – this would be a breach of confidentiality as the names of your participants are on these letters. Please make sure you are aware of, and act in accordance with the ECA Code of Ethics
(https://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/code_of_ethics/early_childhood_australias_code_of_ethics.html).
You must also check if you are undertaking any observations in a service environment, that you follow the ethical requirements laid out in the service policy / procedures. This will require you to check with the service manager/ co-ordinator / director.
You you must submit the Ethics Statement provided in your Ethics form. Details about the Ethics form and to download it, visit here.
1. Physical activity – how does the child perform 1 of the fundamental movement skills (you need to identify which FMS you are observing)?
2. What factors are impacting on the child’s physical activity?
Observe the child undertaking physical activity. You will need to consider the setting in which to observe to ensure that the child is likely to demonstrate the behaviours you are looking for. It is NOT appropriate for you to test the child in order to observe the movements you are seeking to observe. It is appropriate however, to set up a play environment where the skills are likely to be demonstrated, and to support the child to freely explore and play in that environment. You need to observe the child performing the chosen FMS 3 times and use a different technique to record each observation (eg running records, anecdotal records, ABC, frequency counts etc). You are expected to have at least 3 observations – ie 3 different observations not the same observation recorded in 3 different ways.
1. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the observation techniques you have chosen and explain why the techniques you have chosen are most appropriate in answering your observation questions. You need to refer to the literature in this section to justify the advantages/disadvantages.
2. Briefly introduce the target child and the context.
3. Briefly summarise your interpretations of your observations