Running head: PRESCHOOL OBSERVATION 1

Preschool Observation
Ashley Jordan
Ivy Tech Community College

PRESCHOOL OBSERVATION 2

Children grow and develop in many different ways at the preschool age. I observed a
female preschool child that is five years old for this observation. The child I observed had some
similar developmental skills, as that of her peers. The subject had one unusual behavior that she
exhibited for her age. This experience has helped me understand the development of children
that are preschool age in several assorted ways. Piagets preoperational stage suggests that
children really uses words and numbers to relate to the world; this was true for my child that I
observed (Kail, 2012).
The five year old girl that I observed was quite similar to her peers in several areas of
development. Physically, the child I watched was slightly advanced because she was able to
show me how well she skipped, used silverware while eating, and how she was able to swing
without any help (Important Milestones: Your Child at Five Years, 2014). She was able to cut
and paste some shapes that she recognized as squares, circles, diamonds and several others; this
is typical for a child her age. The only developmental event the child could not do physically was
button her own shirt, so she would be considered behind in this skill (Developmental Milestones:
Age 5, 2014). Intellectually the subject excelled because she was able to do all of the items on the
checklist but more than what was expected for her age. The preschooler could count twenty or
more of the same item which is more than what is expected for her age. The child makes up
elaborate stories when she is role playing with her cousins; this is a common characteristic of
five year olds (Important Milestones: Your Child at Five Years, 2014). The child uses most
grammar rules correctly and will even correct herself if she misuses a word (Burton, 2014).
Typically children that are five years old use grammar rules correct most of the time so my
subject is right on track for her age (Developmental Milestones: Age 5, 2014). By the time,
children are about five they will learn to read more and more words and do so by sounding out
PRESCHOOL OBSERVATION 3

the words that are unfamiliar to them. My child that I observed did just that when she was
reading a book to her mother; she did not know how to say the word mad and had to sound it
out (Kail, 2012).
The subject is similar to children her age in her emotional, social, and ethical
developmental skills. Emotionally, the preschooler compares to her peers because she shows a
great amount of self- control; she always asks whenever she wants to get something or go
somewhere. The child is very concerned or empathetic towards her cousins and will ask them if
they are doing alright. This action is distinctive to children that are five years old (Important
Milestones: Your Child at Five Years, 2014). The subject can distinguish between children that
are boys and children that are girls in her class; this is a normal social developmental skill for a
five year old. The child is more prone to want to play with her friends or classmates than play by
herself; children that are five years old enjoy playing with others more than playing alone
(Developmental Milestones: Age 5, 2014). Ethically, the female preschooler understands that she
will have to go to bed early if she does not clean up after herself (Kail, 2012). The child I
watched was able to tell her mother that a child at school broke a rule; this is a normal action for
a five year old to display. The child that I observed seemed to be average or above average in
several areas of development.
The child that I watched only had one unusual developmental issue. The female subject
was not able to button her shirt while getting dressed. This is a motor skill that the child should
have been able to accomplish by the time she was three and a half years old. The subject still has
to have her mother help her button anything clothing. Although, the subject can easily unbutton
her clothing that have buttons (Raising Child Network, 2011). The child only had one unusual
behavior that I noticed.
PRESCHOOL OBSERVATION 4

Conducting this observation has really opened my eyes to the different developmental
milestones of preschool children. I now better understand that preschool children can go from
drawing some alphabet letter to knowing and writing the entire alphabet. Even though
preschoolers still misuse some grammar rules it is marvelous to hear a preschool speak so well.
The amount of self-control that my child shown to me truly let me know that, preschoolers can
understand when it is and is not acceptable to behave certain ways. I loved hearing about my
child joining in on an activity with all of her friends without and tantrums; preschoolers really
can cooperate while playing. It was interesting to learn that most preschoolers know when they
have misbehavior and will often times show that they are guilty. This observation experience has
tremendously helped me understand all the different developmental milestones of preschoolers;
whether it was a (n) physical, intellectual, emotional, social, or ethical developmental skill.
It never phases me as to how amazing it is to watch a preschooler and learn about all of
his or her developmental skills. The child I observed had many developmental skills that
compared to that of her peers. The female preschooler was pretty typical for her age
developmentally, with the exception of not being able to button her clothes. I have learned quite
a bit about preschoolers after conducting my own observation of a preschool child. Preschool
children are truly miraculous, it was interesting to learn about the many milestones that these
group of children develop.





PRESCHOOL OBSERVATION 5

Resources
Burton, K. (2014, 10 17). Preschool Observation. (A. Jordan, Interviewer)
Developmental Milestones: Age 5. (2014). Retrieved 10 18, 2014, from Great Schools:
http://www.greatschools.org/parenting/social-skills/1127-developmental-milestones-age-
5.gs
Important Milestones: Your Child at Five Years. (2014, 03 27). Retrieved 10 18, 2014, from
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-5yr.html
Kail, R. V. (2012). Children and Their Development. Saddle River: Pearson Education Inc.
Raising Child Network. (2011, 07 14). Teaching your child to get dressed. Retrieved 10 18,
2014, from Raising Children Network:
http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/getting_dressed.html








PRESCHOOL OBSERVATION 6


PRESCHOOL OBSERVATION 7

Name: Ashley Jordan Class: Education 255 Date: 10/17/14
Purpose: Identify developmental changes that occur during the toddler stage.
Part IDirections: Observe a child between 3 and 5 years of age. Your total observation time should be
at least one hour but may be spread over several visits. Look for the signs of development listed below
and on the following pages. Record your findings by placing a check mark in the appropriate column. If
you had no opportunity to observe a particular behavior, write Unable to observe in the
Comments column. Also use this column to record any additional details you wish to remember.
Key to Responses
YesSkill observed NoChild lacked this skill or characteristic
Site: Childs House
Date(s) of Observation(s): 10/17/14
Childs First Name: Haleigh
Age in Years: 5 years
Observation
C-3 Checklist: Toddler Development Signs of Development
Physical Development YES NO COMMENTS
1. Walks down stairs. (Describe how.) X Yes, did at one and half years old.

2. Easily changes directions while running. X Very easily

3. Throws a ball. (Describe how.) X Throws forward, throws backward

4. Catches a ball. (Describe how.) X Can catch a normal speed ball. Cant
catch a fast thrown ball

5. Skips. X All the time

6. Stacks seven or more blocks. (Note number.) X Will make a whole castle

7. Draws recognizable shapes. X Yes, makes circles, squares, hearts, ovals,
and diamonds.

8. Draws recognizable pictures. X Yes easily

9. Draws some alphabet letters. X Writes all of her letters

PRESCHOOL OBSERVATION 8

10. Cuts with scissors. X Easily

11. Buttons clothing. X Still needs help from parents

Intellectual Development YES NO Comments
1. Demonstrates imagination and
symbolic thought (for example, uses a
stuffed animal
X Role plays and makes up stories

2. Sorts objects by one variable, such as
color.
X Easily

3. Groups objects by size. X Easily

4. Counts by rote. (Note highest number
recited in sequence.)
X Can almost count to 100

5. Counts three objects accurately. X Easily

6. Applies grammar rules, even when
inappropriate (may say foots or
breaked).
X Still does it with her tenses

7. Uses most grammar rules correctly X Most of the time

8. Groups objects by size. X Easily

9. Counts by rote. (Note highest
number)
X Easily

Emotional Development YES NO COMMENTS

1. Shows some self-control (for example,
says I want that instead of grabbing
toy from another child).
X Always asked before getting something
2. Shows some empathy for others (for
example, comforts another child who is
sad)
X Comforts and shows concern when a
friend or cousin is hurt

3. Shows pride in abilities by
demonstrating them to others.
X Show how proud she is at drawing a
picture. Proud that she spelled words
correctly
4. Willingly helps with chores X Picks up after herself, helps clean her
room
Social Development YES NO COMMENTS
1. Plays in groups of two or three. X Plays with everyone
2. Plays in groups of four to eight. X Plays with all students in her class
3. Joins in activities suggested by others. X Very easily
PRESCHOOL OBSERVATION 9

4. Suggests activities. X Lets play princess or lets play house
5. Plays cooperatively with others. X Very easily
6. Refers to one or more best friends. X All the time
7. Shows awareness of differences
between boys and girls
X Has been doing since age 2 and half
Ethical Development YES NO COMMENTS
1. Indicates that certain actions result in
reward or punishment
X Understands at school that if a child gets
in trouble they have to do laps. Rewards
are a piece of candy
2. Shows sign of guilt after misbehavior X Apologizes after misbehavior
3. Tells adult when someone breaks a
rule
X All time