Observation Report Project

This graded assignment will have three related parts. Read all of the directions for the entire assignment before beginning. When you complete your project, you’ll submit information from all three parts of the graded assignment at the same time. Part 1: Preparation and Observations Go to the Focused Observation Playlist by Redleaf Press on YouTube. Review the videos (25 total, approximately one hour) on the list, taking note of as many as four of the following items observed and provide short comments on each area checked. You’ll include and elaborate on at least four (4) observed items from each area of the checklist in part three, the Observation Report. Part Two: Research Regulations for Teachers/Caregivers In addition to reflecting on observations of the program and classrooms, it’s important to know and understand what’s expected by your state licensing agency, such as basic qualifications, training, education, and experience levels. Research your state’s licensing regulations and identify what you need (would need) to qualify for employment in your state, which could include any/all of the following: Child abuse clearances Fingerprint checks Criminal history checks CPR/First Aid training Drug screenings Physical health checks TB test Professional development (ongoing) requirements Other requirements as indicates for your state This information will be included in Part Three, the Observation Report, in Paragraph 7. You’ll need to cite your regulations in APA format, as they’re a resource and should be included on a References page at the end of your essay. Part Three: Writing the Observation Report After you’ve completed your observation checklist, you’ll report what was observed. As with all ECE exams, begin with your Title Page formatted in APA style. (Refer to the Sample APA Title Page on the Early Childhood Learning Resource Center: https://pflibrary.pennfoster.edu/earlychildhoodcenter/college). Format your paper using a standard font such as Times New Roman or Ariel, 12-point type. Set the margins at a standard one inch on all sides. Set your line spacing for double spacing. Because you’ve already provided your information (your first and last name, your student ID number, the examination name and number, the course name and number, and the date of submission) on your Title Page, no running header is necessary. The standard style format for citations, if required, is American Psychological Association (APA). For assistance with proper APA in-text citations and references, please review the APA in ECE – Oh My! webinar and Keep Calm and APA! reference page on the Early Childhood Learning Resource Center. Your completed Observation Report will be written in narrative or essay format consisting of a minimum of 13 paragraphs. Consider the following outline as you begin writing your narrative essay: Paragraph 1: After the title of your essay (“Observation Report Project”), introduce the reader to the paper/topic by explaining how the observations were conducted. This paragraph should highlight the purpose of observing a program, as well as what the reader can expect in the report. An example of an introductory paragraph (5-7 fully developed sentences) is as follows: Early childhood educators should practice reflection of self and others in working with young children. One effective way to do this is to observe early education settings and activities. In these observations, the educator will look for specific criteria from an outside perspective. By completing this observation and report project, an educator will gain knowledge based on practical situations and reflect in detail about the quality of care being offered in the scenarios. Suggestions for improvement are also included. Please note * this is only an example. The introductory paragraph should be written in the student’s own words and based on the assignment criteria. Paragraph 2: Summarize at least four items that were marked as observed from the Teachers and Caregivers section of the observation checklist. Describe your observations of the quality of care provided by the teachers/caregivers in detail and support your comments with material from the course resources. The description for this and the following paragraphs should provide the reader with a clear image of exactly what you observed (as if they were with you). This should be written in a complete paragraph of at least 5-7 fully developed sentences; however, additional paragraphs can be included if needed. Paragraph 3: Summarize at least four items that were marked as observed from the Health and Safety section of the checklist. Describe your observations of the quality of care related to health and safety issues and support your comments with information from your course resources. As with paragraph 2, be sure to describe with enough detail for the reader to understand what you observed. This should be written in at least one complete paragraph of at least 5-7 sentences; however, additional paragraphs can be included if needed. Paragraph 4: Summarize at least four items that were marked as observed from the Center/Classroom Environment section of the checklist. Describe your observations of the quality of care related to center/classroom environment issues in detail and support your comments with information from your course resources. As with the prior sections, be sure to describe with enough detail for the reader to understand what you observed. This should be written in at least one fully developed paragraph of at least 5-7 fully developed sentences; however, additional paragraphs can be included if needed. Paragraph 5: Summarize at least four items that were marked as observed from the Activities section of the checklist. Describe your observations of the quality of care related to activities and materials offered to children in detail and support your comments with information from your course resources. As with the prior sections, be sure to describe with enough detail for the reader to understand what you observed. This should be written in at least one complete paragraph of at least 5-7 fully developed sentences; however, additional paragraphs can be included if needed. Paragraph 6: Summarize at least four items that were marked as observed from the Guidance section of the checklist. Describe your observations of the quality of care related to guidance in detail and support your comments with information from your course resources. As with the prior sections, be sure to describe with enough detail for the reader to understand what you observed. This should be written in at least one complete paragraph of at least 5-7 fully developed sentences; however, additional paragraphs can be included if needed. Paragraph 7: Based on the research completed in Part Two of the project instructions, discuss the basic qualifications/requirements for becoming a teacher/caregiver in your state. Clearly describe the requirements, including those that would be ongoing to retain employment (annual training, drug tests, other). This should be written in at least one complete paragraph of at least 5-7 fully developed sentences; however, additional paragraphs can be included if needed. Paragraph 8: In this paragraph, choose one example of quality care that was offered by a caregiver in one of the video scenarios that stood out to you. Describe the details of the incident/activity, including any challenges the caregiver was faced with (crying child, challenging behavior, etc.) Explain why/how the caregiver demonstrated quality care based on the knowledge gained from this course (course materials, readings, etc.). Then discuss what you learned by observing this caregiver in this situation. Share what you appreciated about the caregiver’s response and also what you believe the caregiver could have done differently and/or better. This should be written in at least one complete paragraph of at least 5-7 fully developed sentences; however, additional paragraphs can be included if needed. Paragraph 9: In this paragraph, choose a second example of quality care that was offered by a caregiver in one of the video scenarios that stood out to you. Describe the details of the incident/activity, including any challenges the caregiver was faced with (crying child, challenging behavior, etc.) Explain why/how the caregiver demonstrated quality care based on the knowledge gained from this course (course materials, readings, etc.). Then discuss what you learned by observing this caregiver in this situation. Share what you appreciated about the caregiver’s response and also what you believe the caregiver could have done differently and/or better. This should be written in at least one complete paragraph of at least 5-7 fully developed sentences; however, additional paragraphs can be qualified. Paragraph 10: In this paragraph, address three things you liked from your observations. Clearly describe why you liked each example based on principles of quality care. This should be written in at least one complete paragraph of at least 5-7 fully developed sentences; however, additional paragraphs can be included if needed. Paragraph 11: In this paragraph, address three things you didn’t like from your observations. Clearly describe why you disliked each example based on principles of quality care. For each “dislike,” indicate a suggestion on how the situation could be improved. This should be written in at least one complete paragraph of at least 5-7 fully developed sentences; however, additional paragraphs can be included if needed. Paragraph 12: In this paragraph, address five suggestions for improvement from your observations. Clearly describe why you feel these improvements would be needed based on principles of quality care. This should be written in at least one complete paragraph of at least 5-7 fully developed sentences; however, additional paragraphs can be included if needed. Paragraph 13: Provide your overall summary of the quality of care demonstrated in the videos. Revisit the purpose of the project and summarize what you learned by completing this assignment. Share how these observations helped to shape your perspective as an early childhood professional. Include any other closing thought you believe your instructor should know as they grade your narrative essay.