Guiding Questions for Virtual Child Study

The purpose of the child study is to give you an opportunity observing children learning, aged 0-10 years of age in both formal and informal contexts.

Of course, with the current pandemic closing schools, daycare centers, and other childcare centers, the use of videos showing young children learning, is an alternate venue.

Essentially, the child study asks you to explore this learning through 4 lenses: (1) Physical presence and gesture;(2) Disposition and temperament;(3) Connections with other people; and (4) Modes of thinking and learning. These lenses are further explained in the Child Study Outline posted in course menu in the Child Study Assignment folder.

For this alternate field observation venue, I would like you to explore these "lenses" by viewing the five videos posted on "Virtual Child Study Videos and Guiding Questions" in the course content menu.

It is wise to review what's being asked of you (see below), and then watch the 5 videos and take notes and annotate your thoughts with the video #/title to refer to it when you write your "Child Study".

Once you have viewed and taken notes on the 5 videos, begin writing your "Child Study" (which will be based on your "collective" summary of the 5 videos) using the following as its parts.

You explore these guiding questions as you view EACH of the 5 videos, but only write ONE findings narrative which will be your "Virtual Child Study".

So, this is what you need to write about after you view and take notes on the 5 videos.

1. Background of Children and Classrooms Observed.

Since you are observing a group of children, here please write about the five videos you viewed: give background information (age of children, grade level, what was being taught, where did instruction occur, any comments on diversity).

2.Physical Presence and Gesture (Physical development)

Here comment/ discuss on what you saw among the children (try focusing on one or two children) in the area of physical development. Comment on how what you saw develops fine/gross motor development. As the course moves on, you'll identify other things to look for and comment on.

3.Disposition and Temperament (Socio-emotional development)

Here comment/discuss on what you saw among the children (try focusing on one or two children) in the video lessons that showed a child's preferred way of dealing with other classmates or teacher.

4.Connections with Other People (Socio-emotional development)

Here comment/discuss on what you saw among the children (try focusing on one or two) in the videos on how they relate to each other and adults in the classroom.

Do children behave differently in different contexts (e.g. Outdoor play, informal activities V. indoor, formal activities)

5.Modes of Thinking and Learning (Cognitive development)

Here comment/discuss some of the learning strengths you saw among the children (try focusing on one or two children). How is their "style of learning" related to course readings/discussions/blogs/theories?

Here it's useful to think about developmental theories read and discussed in class. Re-visit the theories of development PowerPoints and videos.

6. Summative Thoughts

Here summarize what you observed in these 5 videos.

Try summarizing what you think the children learned and how they learned it, how would you change the instruction observed and why; Did you see DAP, whole child approaches? How did activities build on various learning styles?

Refference Videos

1. Video 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6hULt0yv84

2. Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7n7yX5fmRc

3. Video 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVq91t5LG1I

4. Video 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqJgMexZ904

5. Video 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgW9hJE_n_s