Observation: Summary and Findings, Essay Example

Infancy

Mylene is a four-month old baby born to a Latina and an American father. She has been observed to have made her first sounds when she was three and is now trying to move her head as she turns around and gets the attention of people around her especially when she cries. She responds to facial expressions and finger plays when she is being given attention to by her parents, other relatives and kids as well. She was noted by her parents to specifically respond to her mother’s humming whenever she is being put to sleep. When it comes to environmental recognition, she responds directly with the colourful crib-mobile she has hanging above her when she stays in her crib.

Toddler Years

Alex was a three year old girl living with her mother and her grandmother. Having no father as she grew, she was basically fashioned to follow the women who served as her mentors. In a way, this has been properly reflected through both her speech and actuations. At the age of three, she is able to play dress-up and likely copies both her mother and her grandmother as they dress themselves up to work and even when they are simply going out.

At this stage, she is also observed to have keen attention to details especially when it comes to arts which she probably gained from being assisted by her mother every now and then when she completes some of the activities she chooses for her own. Forming words and phrases, Alex is able to create meaning based on the context of how she hears the language that her mother and her grandmother use at home.

Preschool Years

Desiring to know more, Dexter, a six year old boy, is noted for his active participation in most hands-on activities in his class. He was considered by his mother as a hyperactive child but his father says that he was simply an active child who wants to know more about his environment. Most often than not, his explorations get him into trouble, nevertheless, these experiences make him stronger the second time he faces the same sort of challenges. This way, constant improvement is observed in his attitude hence creating for him a better character that he carries on into maturity.

Primary Grade

Mary is a latin-American first grader. She is a shy-type student who usually stays in a corner in her classroom. Nevertheless, although she has an introvert attitude, her learning pattern is quite developmental and follows the same patter as that of her classmates. Exploration seems to be one of her favourite aspects of learning because through this, she imposes her own creativity and hence applies her own freedom in gaining the education she needs.

Mary, although curious, often sets herself apart from the others. It was noted by the teacher as a sense of insecurity, nevertheless, she does find a way to mingle with her peers especially when they begin talking about topics that she is most interested in which include science, history and a particular program on television that is currently popular with girls her age.

References

Ennis, R. H. (1989). Critical thinking and subject specificity: Clarification and needed research. Educational Researcher, 18(3), 4–10.

Ennis, R. H. (1993). Critical thinking assessment. Theory into Practice, 32(3), 179–186.

Enright, B. E., & Beattie, S. A. (1992). Assessing critical thinking in mathematics. Diagnostique 17(2), 137?144.

Escambia County School District. (n.d.). International baccalaureate general guide. Education for life. Pensacola, Florida.