Child Observation Essay Observing a child can be the key to understanding a child’s development. In an effort to further understand early childhood, I observed a boy named Matthew, who is five years old. He is currently in kindergarten and a very energetic, happy child. Matthew is the fifth child in a family of three girls and two boys. The observation took place at his home, where I was able to look closer at how he interacts in his own environment. It was outside in his backyard where I was able to further explore if Matthew is developing at the same pace as a child his age should be according to my studies.
Observation Process and Developmental Milestones While I was observing Matthew, in his backyard the first thing he wanted to do was play football with his Dad, who was also outside during the observation. This game playing occurred over the course of fifteen minutes or so, and during this activity there was talk back and forth about who was the better thrower. Once Matthew grew tired of football he moved on to playing on the swing set, which has monkey bars, swings, a slide, and a pirate ship wheel with a spyglass near it. He often used the swings and monkey bars, which appeared to be his favorite things, and engaged in a pirate ship war to save the princess whom he decided to name Sara, because I was his new friend. This activity took place over the course of close to twenty-five minutes.
A neighborhood friend of Matthew’s observed him playing on the swing set from next door, and came to visit him during the last twenty minutes of the observation. Once his friend got to his house sidewalk chalk was brought out to play with, and Matthew then drew a picture of a rainbow (which had blue, green, yellow, red, and orange in it), his Dad, his friend, and myself. The picture also had a tree in it that was large with purple leaves and a brown trunk. After drawing the picture he also explained who was