Chapter 3 Using Checklists to Look at Physical Development “Because some children have reached a certain developmental level does not mean that others should be there too. They have other strengths.” ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. CHECKLISTS • • • • Predetermined list of criteria Answers the question “Yes” or “No” Closed method Records attainment of milestones of development • Gives indicators of the sequence of development • Shows progress over time ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Uses of the Checklist Advantages • Time and labor efficient • Covers many areas of development • Individual documentation of each child • Indicators of development and progress or lags that may be of concern Disadvantages • Loses the details of the event • May be biased or incorrectly rated by the observer • May not have clearly observable criteria ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. What to Do with It • File in each child’s portfolio/folder • Use it to plan curriculum in areas not yet attained • Use it to look further at significant development lags • Compare to previous recording to see progress over time • Share with child and family ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. TOPICS IN OBSERVATION Your Frame of Reference The Frame Smudges • Childhood • Education/Training • Past experience with children • Own learning styles • Values • Biases for or against the child or the family • Personal factors that affect observation ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. LOOKING AT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT • GROWTH: – Changes that can be measured in numbers • DEVELOPMENT: – Changes that are qualitative, refined in a predictable sequence • AFFECTED BY: – – – – – – Genetics Prenatal care Illnesses and accidents Environmental factors Age, maturation Economics ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Physical Growth & Development • Stages – Predictable sequence, individual timetable • Importance – Health, cognition, social emotional development, play • Observing – – – – Safety Environment In nature Curriculum planning ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Interrelated Factors in Physical Growth and Development ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Observing the Physical Development of Infants and Toddlers • Critical for health and safety – Physical changes as indicators of all development – Before language, it is through close observation that the caregiver is informed of the child’s health and safety • New locomotor skills bring opportunities for exploration and learning but also expose the child to new dangers ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. HELPING ALL CHILDREN WITH PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT • • • • Physical Development and Culture Boys and Girls Children with Special Needs Helping Professionals ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Standard Related to Physical Development • ACTIVE START: A Statement of Physical Activity Guidelines for Children Birth to Five. Look at Figure 3−11 in the text. • Position: All children birth to age five should engage in daily physical activity that promotes health-related fitness and movement skills. ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.