Observation: Stepping Stones Preschool Program

For the classroom observation assignment I was able to observe at Stepping Stones Family Childcare and Preschool Program. I conducted observations for five hours each on the dates of September 24th and September 25th of the year 2015. This licensed home-based daycare and preschool program is located in a quiet suburban neighborhood on 4103 Bryant Street, Blasdell, New York. The facility allows for a twelve-child capacity (ages 6 weeks to 12 years with four additional school age) and is owned and founded by Kim Bannister. When I observed, there were two additional staff present. Therefore, there were a total of 3 adults and 12 children at the center when I observed. New York State Senator Marc C. Panepinto was also present on September 25th as he read to the children and toured the home. I chose this specific setting as I personally thought it would be an interesting dynamic to study how a home-based preschool program is run.

To complete my Preschool Atypical observation I went to Bruceton Elementary School. While there I observed a 3-year-old boy named Tucker who was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism. Tucker is a little boy who was born and raised in Preston County, West Virginia and is attending the Preschool offered at Bruceton Elementary for half a day. He is an only child who speaks only English, both Tucker’s parents are local and have been part of the Bruceton communities for years. I observed Tucker from 7:30 in the morning till his lunch at 11:30 while he participated in multiple activities showing off his development in all 5 major areas.

I got an appointment for observation on July 13 at De-Anza Child Development Center. I chose room No. 26 for observation. I observed one child from 3:26 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. There are total 10 children present in room no.26 at the time of my observation. Out of 10 there are 4 girls and 6 boys. They range from 3 to 5 years of age. There are three adults in the room, all are female. One adult for every 3 children- 1:3. When I entered kids are doing free play. I settled myself and started to observe a kid named Aaron. He is around 3 and half years of age.

Bakhet is also in Mrs. James class. With Bakhet, I decided to use the alphabet flashcards because he is a level one ESl student. I wanted to see how well he knew his letters and the sounds each letter makes. Bakhet knew his letters well but did not know most of the sounds. I decided to run through some letters sounds with him and relate them to an animal or object.Bakhet seemed to grasp the concept a little. I ended my session with Bakhet by reading a book to him. He seems to enjoy the book. He listened quietly and paid close attention to the story. One of the last students I interacted with in Mrs. James class was Henry. A seven-year-old Haitian boy. Since Mrs.James , his first-grade teacher, told me he knew how to write stories well that

Observing children’s development is very important while they are growing up. When a child is physical growing every child growth may not be the same. At this age the child may began to lose fat and gain muscles. Children’s that are at the age of 2 and 3 height will increase faster than the weight. Motor skills are when you observe a child when they are engaging in with others and using their muscles. When children’s use their fine motor skills, there is so much that you can observe as simple as a child climbing the stairs. The main purpose of a child using there fine motor skills is to gain more control of their muscle movements. That’s why sending your child to a preschool because this will help them master those skills.

This paper contains observations of a preschool classroom in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The observation was conducted in a Pre-K classroom with approximately ten students present. Observations are presented with regard to dramatic play, the presence of gender roles, and themes that emerge during preschool play. Peer relationships and levels of friendship between students will also be discussed. Relationships with adults in the classroom with in terms of attachment styles and general interactions involving teachers and parents will be reviewed. Observations are also described in relation to self-control, self-regulation, aggression,

In an early childhood setting, being observant gives professionals and family members a helpful portrait of the children in their care, and as future professionals it helps us see how intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development occurs in children. Observing, documenting, and assessing young children shows how they progress from one stage to the next or when there is a delay in progression. The reason we observe young children is that “there is so much that demands attention and response; at the same time, by building in systematic observation, teachers can improve their teaching, construct theory, assess children, assist families, and solve problems” (Gordon and Browne, p.180). It gives dynamic information about each child’s learning styles, interests, abilities, and needs. Observation helps teachers improve teaching by making them become more objective and self-aware of biases they may have. It encourages us to remember that early childhood development is highly individualized, so customizing activities to benefit each child will help them utilize their abilities to their fullest potentials, and through this we will be able to recognize what behaviors are typical of various age groups. The reason we document our observations is so that we can keep records and show proper evidence of each child’s individual growth and participation in classroom activities. With good documentation, family members will able to see the progression made by their child.

Infants and toddlers develop attachments to the people in their lives and make a relationship with them, depending on how parents and early childhood educators treat them. Young infants seek out security, and mobile infants are excited to explore. Also, toddlers are working on their identity, and they want to know who they are.

Also, Feil, et.al (2014) suggested the First Step intervention program. This program will help to reduce behavioral problems before entering school. However, the study showed that child assigned to the Preschool First Step intervention had significantly higher social skills, and significantly fewer behavior

Many children attend both three and four year old preschool. If you plan on switching to a new preschool for next school year, make sure you spend some time preparing for the transition. If you allow your child to saw goodbye to their old school friends, and allow them time to adjust to their new preschool, this transition will be a lot easier.

Doing field experience at St.Mary’s Preschool has taught me a lot not only about the educational system but about myself as well. I’ve learned over these couple of months that in order to become a wonderful teacher, you have to have an enormous amount of patience and dedication. Teaching isn’t an easy profession and through this experience, my respect for my teachers have grown tremendously. Many students often take their teachers for granted but they don't realize what they do for us.

Toddlers and preschoolers are at different developmental stages, and therefore require their teachers to use different approaches and techniques to further learning. I completed my observations at the Bright and Early Children’s Learning Center where I observed a toddler classroom and a preschool classroom. My observations took place from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on the 21st and 28th of September. The first day that I observed I was placed in the toddler classroom which had two teachers, Miss Ashlynn and Miss Miranda, and six students, most of whom were two years old. In the preschool classroom there was one teacher, Miss Stephanie, and eight students, each of whom were 3 years old or 4 years old. While the rooms were physically similar, the teachers used different strategies and activities to appeal to the different age groups.

The program I observed combined both group and individualized activities. During the beginning of the day, students and teachers met together for a general morning session. The teacher used a 'wake-up' song with bodily movements, and some of the paraprofessionals helped students go through the motions of the group dance, if they had issues with motor skills. Afterwards, children were allowed some free time on their own, during which they could work with the teacher and other paraprofessionals on specific skills, such as learning colors, numbers, or speaking. Next came lunch followed by story time, in which children were read to by the teacher, followed by outdoor play.

In the preschool, snacks for the children are provided 'buffet style' in an open kitchen area furnished with two connecting child-size picnic tables. Snacks and juice are accessible to the children in this area for a 45-minute period followed by free play time. Children are free to sit with one another as they please.

I observed the preschool classroom of Ms. K. Today was a smaller group, as several children are on vacation. This is a new facility and just the host teacher was in there at this time. I came into the classroom at 8:00 and left at 9:00. I spoke with the host teacher before and after the observation for feedback, which I felt was beneficial to both her and me. I observed the children during inside for 20 minutes. I observed the children during outside play for 40 minutes.