Child Observation Paper
Child Observation Paper
Jason Betts
Pacific Oaks College
November 12, 2012
The purpose of this paper is to discuss and review my observation of a 7 year old African American male who is being raised by his grandmother (45 year old Bi-racial female who has 9 children of her own; 7 of the children are still in the house). During my observation of “Jackson”, I focused on the following domains of child development: * Physical * Cognitive * Social * Emotional
I applied Attachment theory throughout the observations, which were completed at his home, at the park, and at the grocery store. I was unable to observe Jackson at his school. Jackson is being raised by his grandmother because his mother is addicted to drugs, and is unable to provide a home for him and his 2 other siblings. Jackson has been raised by the grandmother since age 2. Jackson appears well nourished, dressed appropriately, but looks somewhat withdrawn, especially when interacting with other adults, and sometimes his own family members.
Attachment theory is the dynamics of long term relationships between people. The most important relationship is the one between an infant and at least one caregiver. The level of social and emotional development during the relationship is crucial, in order for normal development to occur within the child. The first to develop the theory was John Bowlby, who realized the importance of the child’s relationship with their primary caregiver (usually the mother), in terms of the child’s emotional, cognitive, and social development. The set goal of the attachment behavior system is to maintain the bond with an emotionally available and accessible attachment figure. On September 7, 2012, observation #1 was conducted at the park between 8:30am and 10:00am. I have personally known Jackson’s grandmother for 2 years. Present at the park was Jackson, 3 of Jackson’s cousins (ages 8, 10, and 11), and Jackson’s grandmother. It was a sunny day, and
Jason Betts
Pacific Oaks College
November 12, 2012
The purpose of this paper is to discuss and review my observation of a 7 year old African American male who is being raised by his grandmother (45 year old Bi-racial female who has 9 children of her own; 7 of the children are still in the house). During my observation of “Jackson”, I focused on the following domains of child development: * Physical * Cognitive * Social * Emotional
I applied Attachment theory throughout the observations, which were completed at his home, at the park, and at the grocery store. I was unable to observe Jackson at his school. Jackson is being raised by his grandmother because his mother is addicted to drugs, and is unable to provide a home for him and his 2 other siblings. Jackson has been raised by the grandmother since age 2. Jackson appears well nourished, dressed appropriately, but looks somewhat withdrawn, especially when interacting with other adults, and sometimes his own family members.
Attachment theory is the dynamics of long term relationships between people. The most important relationship is the one between an infant and at least one caregiver. The level of social and emotional development during the relationship is crucial, in order for normal development to occur within the child. The first to develop the theory was John Bowlby, who realized the importance of the child’s relationship with their primary caregiver (usually the mother), in terms of the child’s emotional, cognitive, and social development. The set goal of the attachment behavior system is to maintain the bond with an emotionally available and accessible attachment figure. On September 7, 2012, observation #1 was conducted at the park between 8:30am and 10:00am. I have personally known Jackson’s grandmother for 2 years. Present at the park was Jackson, 3 of Jackson’s cousins (ages 8, 10, and 11), and Jackson’s grandmother. It was a sunny day, and
References: Ainsworth, MD (1967). Infancy in Uganda. Baltimore: John Hopkins Press. Bowlby, J.(1969). Attachment. Attachment and Loss. Vol. I. London: Hogarth. Bowlby, J., Ainsworth, M. D., & Fry, M. (1965). Child care and the growth of love (2d Ed.). Baltimore: Penguin Books.