Select a child for each study from a different age group (0-2; 3-5; 6-12; or 13-17 years old). Do not repeat an age group. Obtain parental and/or school consent, if needed. Explain that you are doing a study for a human development class, that the child’s name will not be used (unless parent gives permission to use the first name only), and that the main purpose is to gain information about general principles of development, rather than about the specific child’s behavior. Offer to give a copy of the study to the parent.

You may use your own children or family members

Gather information about the child for 30 minutes using one of the following methods (do not combine methods):

Running Record- Watch the child without interacting for 30 minutes. Write down everything the child says and does.

Anecdotal Interaction- Interact with the child, observing reactions and abilities. Write what the child said and did immediately after interacting for 30 minutes.

Parent Consultation- Converse with a parent or care-giver for 30 minutes. Ask about the child’s behavior and development. Write down the information given by the parent.

Write the Child Study. Consider the following when writing the Child Study.

Write the results of the running record, anecdotal interaction, or interview by only writing what you saw the child do and/or heard the child (or parent) say. For example, “He ran across the yard, kicking the ball”, or “She took her headphones off, smiled at me, and said ‘Hi Jack’ ”, or “The parent stated that her son has been doing well in school and has had A’s in math throughout 6th grade .

Do not make judgments, assumptions, or interpretations about what the child was thinking or feeling. For example, avoid saying, “He was being bad” (a judgment); or “She wanted my attention” (an assumption); or “He was acting angry” (an interpretation)

When submitting, include:

1-2 sentences: An introduction with the child’s age and gender. It is not necessary to include background information unless it is significantly relevant to the child’s development. You may use the child’s first name only, if the parent has given permission to do so.

3-4 paragraphs (at least 10 sentences each): Your typed notes from the running record, anecdotal interaction, or parent consultation. Grading will be based on about a 30 minute observation.

3 paragraphs (at least 10 sentences each): Your conclusions regarding the child’s development. Label the paragraphs:

Biosocial Development

Cognitive Development

Psychosocial development

Give examples from the running record, anecdotal interaction, or parent consultation to support your conclusions about the child’s development, not from what you already may know about the child.

Grading for this assignment will be based primarily on your conclusions regarding development.