Meghan Arellano

ECE 252 FALL 2014

November 13, 2014
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL OBSERVATION
Point Possible - 80
Observe day care or home care setting and respond to the following questions. This is an outline
for your observation, be sure to use given format when submitting assignment and to observe the
appropriate age group for this course. Give specific examples of behavior in your responses.
One example may NOT be used for multiple responses. 5 points each except as noted.
Part A (50 points)
Emotional
1a. Record an objective observation of a display of fear (include exact age of child and setting).
A boy, 18 months, tripped over a plant and started to cry, outside.
1b. How is this handled by the caregiver?
She took his hand and pulled him up and said, Youre safe.
1c. Was the response appropriate or inappropriate? Why or why not?
Yes, because she is making sure he does not trip over and lets him know that hes safe. However,
she should have acknowledged his fear.

2a. Record an objective observation of a display of anger (include exact age of child and
setting).
The caregiver tries to put a boy, 14 months, down for a nap. The boy starts to cry and fuss.
2b. How is this handled by the caregiver?
The caregiver takes him outside away from the group. She begins to sway him back and forth
and carries him in a blanket.
2c. Was the response appropriate or inappropriate? Why or why not?
Yes, the stress of being around other children may have caused him to cry. By taking him away
from the others, it gives both the caregiver and the child to take in the peace and quiet. And it
worked, the child stopped crying and began to doze in her arms.
3a. Using the nine temperament traits, observe and give examples of EACH in ONE child (you
may need to interview the caregiver/parent to answer some). (Include exact age of child and
setting) (This portion is worth 10 points)
I observed a young boy of 17 months. He had high activity levels, his rhthmicity was a little
more predictable as he waited and ate with the other children, his approach-widrawl was high on
the approach side he wanted to do everything, he was not very adaptable to certain situations, if
he was dancing to music he wanted to continue and not leave when the caregiver said it was time
to go outside, his attention span was pretty long when he was interested in something he did not
want to let it go. His intensity was high, he did everything with enthusiasm, his threshold of
responsiveness was low, he didnt seem to care about the loud noises outside brought on by the

airplanes, he was not easily distracted if he was already engaged in something and his mood was
always pleasant, the entire time I was there, he never cried or look upset.
3b. In which of the 3 temperament categories would you place this child and why?
I would put him in both easy going and feisty categories. He was very enthusiastic and would get
your attention if he wanted it. But when he was engaged with something, he became calm and
would concentrate on that one activity/object. Once engaged, you didnt have to worry about him
getting into other mischief.
3c. What advice might you give to the caregiver/parent of this child based on your assessment?
Definitely keep him occupied. If he starts to lose interest, quickly try to get his attention onto
something else. Let him feel like he has control because he can be a little bossy when hes not
doing something hes interested in.
Part B
Social (30 points)
1. Record an objective observation of a child displaying Eriksons trust vs. mistrust (identify
whether positive or negative).
The child used his hands to show he wanted more yogurt. The caregiver gives him more every
time she sees his hands make the sign for more. If the teacher asked him if he wanted more and
the child shook his head, she wouldnt give him any. The child knew he had control on how
much food he would get. He felt comfortable saying that he didnt want anymore.
2. Record an objective observation of a child displaying Eriksons Autonomy vs. shame and
doubt (identify whether positive or negative).

Caregiver says, Door is open for outside, meaning the kids had the choice to go out or stay in
the daycare room. One child does go outside with a toy. Caregiver says, That toy is for inside. If
you want to go outside, the toy stay in. Child stays inside with the toy without any fuss.
3a. Record an objective observation of a guidance situation between caregiver and child (due to
individual action).
Child brought a toy from outside into the daycare room. He put the toy (a rake) into his mouth.
Caregiver says, That toy is for outside. It can hurt you.
3b. How is this handled by the caregiver? Was the response appropriate or inappropriate?
Why?
After telling the boy that the toy can hurt him, she takes the toy away. The child did not cry, he
went to look for another toy. It was the appropriate response because the caregiver explained
before taking the toy away why it was necessary to take the toy away.
4a. Record an objective observation of a guidance situation between two children (due to
interaction between children).
One child started dancing to the music playing and another child followed, swaying in place and
clapping.
4b. How is this handled by the caregiver? Was the response appropriate or inappropriate?
Why?

The caregiver started to sing and clap along and brought out some instruments and scarves for
the children to play with. This was the appropriate response because it encouraged the children to
continue to dance and play with one another.