Observation Assignment
LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
I. Observe in a preschool or elementary school setting. Select an individual child to observe and provide the following identifying information:
Age of Child _____ Number of children in class _____ Number of teachers ____
II. Describe 2 situations in which the child has REASONS to communicate and HOW the child then communicates:
POSSIBLE REASONS:
To request object or assistance
To request comfort
To draw attention to self
To draw attention to people, things, events
To request information
POSSIBLE BEHAVIORS:
Cries, fuses
Looks, changes facial expressions
Points and uses gestures
Uses questions
Makes statements
III. Describe child’s expressive language in 2-3 situations with either peer or adult:
2 or 3 word sentences
Complex sentences
Statements with a rising intonation, e.g. “I have some?”
Uses where, what, when, why and who questions
Tells stories
Plans and negotiates
Uses language in creative endeavors
IV. Describe child’s RECEPTIVE language in 2-3 situations:
Understands and follows simple directions
Understands and applies word usage
Listens attentively
V. Describe child’s SOCIAL language (CONVERSATIONAL STYLE):
Be sure to provide examples.
Social – initiates and responds frequently to others initiations
Reluctant – seldom initiates, but does respond to others’ initiations
Own agenda – may initiate, but rarely responds to others’ initiations
Passive – seldom initiates or responds to others’ initiations
VI. Look at NC FELD and determine a Goal and Developmental Indicator that you feel describes the child’s development. Using a few sentences , explain your goal selection.