Estimated Tuition
$395.00
About the Course
The exploration of child development behaviors via appropriate assessment and observational strategies. Different domains of development (physical, cognitive, and social, emotional) are measured by documenting growth patterns, learning and play behaviors. Children’s development is facilitated through an understanding of adult-child and child-child relationships and their influence on shaping behavior. Use of multiple assessment tools that document and record children’s behavior on rating systems and portfolios are explored. Field work is required outside of class time to provide students with opportunities to learn and practice competencies related to the care and education of young children.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the legal and ethical responsibilities, including confidentiality related to assessment in early childhood settings. Be able to articulate (using specific terminology) and critically compare the basic premise and ethical use of formal and informal assessment strategies in various early childhood learning environments. Compare and analyze position statements of key groups including NAEYC regarding assessment and documentation.
- Compare and analyze historic and currently recognized assessment tools and processes. Use of observation tools to identify patterns, trends and anomalies in individuals and groups of children (e.g., DRDP-R, Ages and Stages, Brigance) and to identify quality or lack of quality in play-based environment, curriculum, and care routines (e.g., ECERS-R, CLASS).
- Apply observational techniques in early childhood settings for typically and atypically developing children and learn to integrate activities related to assessment within curriculum, care routines and play-based environments. Consider the effect of social context, child’s state of health and well-being, primary language, ability and environment on assessment processes.
- Describe and evaluate the strengths and limitations of common assessment tools in terms of developmental, cultural and linguistic characteristics. Recognize inference and assumption in observational strategies and differentiate between objective and subjective records. Identify and apply basic quantitative and qualitative observation and recording techniques.
- Develop an understanding of the factors underlying and influencing child behavior in each area of development and be able to recognize the difference between an observation of a particular behavior and an opinion or bias regarding the behavior of a child. Identify and evaluate logistical challenges and preconceptions about assessing children.
- Identify systematic observational methods in order to provide data to inform teaching response in multi-cultural environments. Assess and articulate the value of involving families and other professionals in the observation, assessment and interpretation process. Understand the influence and importance of interpersonal (child-child, adult-child) relationships on shaping child behaviors.
- Understand sufficiently the ability to conduct and record child observations to prepare and present written/oral reports utilizing one or more of the techniques introduced in class.
- Create and assemble portfolios based upon observational data and work samples.