1. Chapter 3 Using Checklists to Look at Physical Development
“Because some children have reached a
certain developmental level does not mean that others should be there too. They have other strengths.”
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CHECKLISTS
Predetermined list of criteria
Answers the question “Yes” or “No”
Closed method
Records attainment of milestones of development
Gives indicators of the sequence of development
Shows progress over time
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Uses of the Checklist
Advantages
Time and labor efficient
Covers many areas of development
Individual documentation of each child
Indicators of development and progress or lags that may be of concern
Disadvantages
Loses the details of the event
May be biased or incorrectly rated by the observer
May not have clearly observable criteria
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What to Do with It
File in each child’s portfolio/folder
Use it to plan curriculum in areas not yet attained
Use it to look further at significant development lags
Compare to previous recording to see progress over time
Share with child and family
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5. TOPICS IN OBSERVATION Your Frame of Reference
The Frame
Childhood
Education/Training
Past experience with children
Own learning styles
Values
Smudges
Biases for or against the child or the family
Personal factors that affect observation
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6. LOOKING AT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Changes that can be measured in numbers
DEVELOPMENT:
Changes that are qualitative, refined in a predictable sequence
AFFECTED BY:
Genetics
Prenatal care
Illnesses and accidents
Environmental factors
Age, maturation
Economics
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7. Physical Growth & Development
Stages
Predictable sequence, individual timetable
Importance
Health, cognition, social emotional development, play
Observing
Safety
Environment
In nature
Curriculum planning
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8. Interrelated Factors in Physical Growth and Development
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9. Observing the Physical Development of Infants and Toddlers
Critical for health and safety
Physical changes as indicators of all development
Before language, it is through close observation that the caregiver is informed of the child’s health and safety
New locomotor skills bring opportunities for exploration and learning but also expose the child to new dangers
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10. HELPING ALL CHILDREN WITH PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Physical Development and Culture
Boys and Girls
Children with Special Needs
Helping Professionals
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11. Standard Related to Physical Development
ACTIVE START: A Statement of Physical Activity Guidelines for Children Birth to Five. Look at Figure 3−11 in the text.
Position: All children birth to age five should engage in daily physical activity that promotes health-related fitness and movement skills.
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