OBSERVATION # 1 CDEV 108
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Observation #1
Children’s Motor Development
Cierra Pacheco
Santa Ana College
CDEV 108 Observation and Assessment for Early Learning and Development
Professor Janet Deusenberry
January 15, 2022
OBSERVATION # 1 CDEV 108
2
Observation #1
Children’s Motor Development
Abstract
Early childhood development is a critical period of development as a child’s full potential
can be measured by observing and monitoring motor development by examining fine and gross
motor skills. Physical development can be influenced by the way a child is holding utensils,
playing with sand toys, riding tricycles, running, and walking. A child’s learning experience is
gained exclusively through their play experiences. Through physical play, educators can gain
insight into the child’s cognitive development, maturation, emotional and social development.
For that reason, social and physical interactions are essential for early child development.
For this observation, we will examine fine and gross motor skills that children show
during play. The observer’s role is to examine body movements during several different
activities such as arms swaying, feet movement, hand-eye coordination, and grasping skills. This
type of research will give the teacher an understanding of the child’s progression.
Section 1: Descriptions of 2 different children on the same activity. In this section you should be
using anecdotal notes to complete your observation.
Skill To Observe
Child A
Child B
Observe and describe how
two different children walk.
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(Pink Shirt/ Female) Child A
walks in a hurried motion
from the sole of her foot to
the tip of her toes. While still
walking, the knees do not
tend to bend and she relies
(Blue Shirt/ Male)
Child B is holding his parent’s
hand while walking slowly,
planting all his weight on the
sole of his foot. He takes a
few steps backwards
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mostly on her toes. Her arms
remain to her sides and
hardly sway. The walk is
smooth with hard landing on
the toes as if stomping lightly.
seemingly by accident and
lets go of the parent’s hand.
He is walking slowly on his
own with his head tilted on
his shoulder, he is keeping
one arm against his side and
the other sticking out for
balance. Once he straightens
up he begins to sway his
arms.
Observe and describe how
two different children run.
Observing Practice Seri…
1:01-2:30
Child C (Gray Sweater) The
child is holding a ball close to
his body with one arm like a
football while swinging the
other arm to gain
momentum. He then jumps
over a railing but places both
hands on the ball to have
balance while jumping. He
has a heel-to-toe pattern and
is able to come to a complete
stop with no trouble.
Child D (Blue Sweater) Child
runs with a heel-to-toe
pattern while his elbows are
bent and arms sway. He
easily comes to a stop by
slowing the running
altogether.
Observe and describe how
two different children ride a
tricycle.
Cody on the Playground on
Vimeo
0:57-2:32
Child E (White Shirt/ Male)
Child mounts the tricycle and
holds the handlebars and
walks the bike into a U-turn.
He does not use the pedals
while riding the bike, instead
he walks the bike while
sitting. He makes effective
turns using one leg at a time
to push. He continues to walk
the bike while mounted and
looks down at his feet
momentarily.
Child F (Gray sweater/Male)
Child mounts the bike and
reverses the tricycle with
both his feet at a time. He
walks the bike slightly
forward until he begins to
pedal. He leans forward
slightly to gain momentum
while also removing the hood
of his sweater. His hands are
relaxed on the handlebars
and slows his speed to
accommodate the child in
front of him.
Describe 2 observation
examples of 2 different
children use a pincer grasp.
Child G (Overalls) Has a toy in
both hands and holds the toy
by the hole shapes with his
Child H (Pink Bow) She holds
blocks by the tip of her
fingers leaving the pinky free.
OBSERVATION # 1 CDEV 108
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fingers. He has his four
fingers holding the toy by the
shape hole and his thumbs
on top of the toy. He grabs
blocks with his whole hand
and carefully places the
blocks into the box.
She grabs a bigger block that
takes up her whole hand, but
leaves the index finger free.
Describe 2 observation
examples of 2 different
children holding & using an
object.
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Child A (Pink Shirt/Female)
Child is holding a plastic sand
shovel with her hand clasped
around the handle of the
shovel. With the thumb
facing upwards and her other
fingers facing downward. She
uses the back side of the
shovel to flatten the sand
then quickly uses the corner
to poke holes in the sand. She
is using her whole arm for
movement to pour sand and
scoop sand. She uses her
wrist to poke and the whole
arm to scrape.
Child B (Blue Shirt/Male)
Child is using what looks like
a measuring cup which has a
small handle. He holds the
cup with three fingers: his
thumb, index and middle
finger. With this grip he
scoops sand with his wrist.
When he scoops sand with
his empty hand he is using his
fingers well to pick up the
sand.
Section 2: Specific fine & gross motor skills & abilities of many different children. In this section,
you should be using anecdotal notes to complete your observation.
Task/Skill
Child I
Child J
Jumps over 6-inch-high
object landing on both feet
together.
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Child I (White Shirt/ Female)
The child walks onto the
highest box and stands with
both feet planted with her.
She raises both arms into the
air and jumps landing on her
feet and ends with a tumble
onto her side. And skips back
into line.
Child J (Red Shirt/ Female)
Child is standing on the edge
of the biggest box and has
her hands clasped to her
stomach. She raises both
hands into the air and jumps
to her feet. She quickly lands
into a somersault and ends
on her back and toes.
OBSERVATION # 1 CDEV 108
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Throws ball overhand.
Observing Practice Series
NQS PLP – Negotiating in the
outdoor play space
0:53-1:20
Child K (Gray Sweater/ Red
Embroidery) Child holds the
ball close to his body with his
right hand and prepares to
throw the ball by placing
both hands on and tosses
with his right palm like
holding a tray.
Child C (Gray Sweater) Child
is running with the ball like a
football with his right hand.
He makes big jumps and
releases the ball with both
hands like shooting a
basketball.
Catches ball distance of 5
feet.
Playing with Purpose: …
Child L fired shirt) Child
attempts to catch the ball
with his arms and fingers
extended. He catches the ball
with both hands facing
Child M (Green shirt) Child
gets ready to catch the ball
by having both feet planted
and both arms extended. She
catches the ball by hugging it
