Observation Assignment

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

I.  Observe in a preschool or elementary school setting. Select an individual child to observe and provide the following identifying information:

Age of Child _____     Number of children in class _____ Number of teachers ____

II. Describe 2 situations in which the child has REASONS to communicate and HOW the child then communicates:

            POSSIBLE REASONS:

To request object or assistance
To request comfort
To draw attention to self
To draw attention to people, things, events
To request information
 

            POSSIBLE BEHAVIORS:

Cries, fuses
Looks, changes facial expressions
Points and uses gestures
Uses questions
Makes statements
 

III. Describe child’s expressive language in 2-3 situations with either peer or adult:

2 or 3 word sentences
Complex sentences
Statements with a rising intonation, e.g. “I have some?”
Uses where, what, when, why and who questions
Tells stories
Plans and negotiates
Uses language in creative endeavors
 

IV. Describe child’s RECEPTIVE language in 2-3 situations:

Understands and follows simple directions
Understands and applies word usage
Listens attentively
 

V. Describe child’s SOCIAL language (CONVERSATIONAL STYLE):

            Be sure to provide examples.

            Social – initiates and responds frequently to others initiations

            Reluctant – seldom initiates, but does respond to others’ initiations

            Own agenda – may initiate, but rarely responds to others’ initiations

            Passive – seldom initiates or responds to others’ initiations

 VI. Look at NC FELD and determine a Goal and Developmental Indicator that you feel describes the child’s development.  Using a few sentences , explain your goal selection.

NCFELD