Signature Assignment 1- Vignette Template

Pima Community College

Early Childhood Education

Signature Assignment 1- Vignette Template

(Your Name)

Using your knowledge of young children’s characteristics and needs, develop an analysis of the vignette.  Use at least 3 references for your analysis, and cite them following the text, in paragraph form (APA style), where applicable. Include a full APA list of the references after the table. Also complete the “check your work” table at the end, as a way to self-evaluate your own work.

Vignette # ___2 Toddler____

Domain Characteristics of the child’s Possible influences that impact this area of development Ideas to support and enhance a healthy, respectful, supportive and challenging learning environment for this child Developmental theories that support why you chose the ideas for the learning environment

Physical development Physical and motor cognitive development is influenced by her love for music and dancing. The toddler is also large for the age and his physical development is manifested or portrayed by enjoying rough plays and tumble with the father.

The toddler’s surrounding provides an environment to engage in physical and motor development through music. He also has a father who is around most of the time and gives him attention to engage in rough and tumble plays. The dad is responsible for his rough physique. Also, as the only child, he does not have a playmate as he barely goes to out to play or engage with other kids. These conditions may be responsible for his aggressive, rough and tumble-play behavior The child’s physical development should be defined by child plays and not specifically attention or playing by the further. At least, there are other forms of activities for improving his physical development like providing toys that have moving part, playing games and using songs with dancing. As the toddler is quickly developing, other ideas include an encouragement for building tower, blocks, playing with other kids or follow-the-leader plays with the toddler. Others should include providing opportunities for exploring things through going on a walk, or even wagon riding

Physical development is about the parent’s commitment to ensuring that the home environment and surroundings are fit for positive physical development. This follows the Vygotsyk’s Sociocultural Theory to which active learning among children is by providing opportunities for hands-on experience (Shute & Slee, 2015). Caregiver is also crucial in this development because learning is perceived as a social process

Cognitive development

The child’s characteristics that impact his cognitive development is his curiosity. Especially, he makes time and engages with his favorite board books and uses this opportunity to read and make sounds of the animals while reading through the books. This aspect of development is also influenced by his investigative characteristic, a child who loves investigating the surrounding Nathan’s cognitive development is influenced by the availability of learning materials at home. For instance, the parents have acquired him board books to help him read through. He engages with the learning materials which help to develop abstract ideas, especially making animal sounds when reading about the books

Nathan’s cognitive development could be improved through various means. One of such is by naming shapes and colors, pointing at points, provision of simple directions. Hide and seek games with the mother can also help with his situation, stepped directions. Other ways include sing-a-longs, identifying noises, practicing alphabets, offering choices, practicing counting, and providing a variety of games

Cognitive development is attributed to Piaget’s Theory. Nathan is in the first stage of development. In this case, below 2 years, toddlers will be learning through sensations and movements, learning about the world through listening, grasping or observing (Richardson, 2019).

Social/emotional development

Nathan likes to engage and associate with other toddlers but has a problem of expressing himself. Since he likes checking them out, he is mean and aggressive towards them. His aggressive behavior includes kicking the cat. A concern is emerging about his aggressive behavior.

The environment at home is responsible for his cognitive development. As such, there are no children in the surrounding to play with and the mother pays less attention to help with the child’s cognitive and emotional development. He barely attends playgroups, a responsibility of the parents, while the surrounding within the community does not provide this opportunity either are there are no other children within the neighborhood or vicinity to play with. Furthermore, the only playmate is the father to whom has internalized the aggressiveness and roughness through tumble game.

Activities for sharing, turn-taking and group work should be encouraged for Nathan. He should also be provided with books about emotions, empathy, cooperation, helping one another. Sharing include group meetings, snacks, taking him to the playground. His closet should also include many toys and playing materials promoting social interactions including balls, blocks, cars, board games, and trucks

Sharing and engagement with others is derived from Bowlby’s Attachment Theory who conceptualized that early attachment between the child and the caregiver profoundly influences their social relationships (Slee & Shute, 2014).

Vignette #3 Preschooler

Domain Characteristics of the child’s… Possible influences that impact this area of development Ideas to support and enhance a healthy, respectful, supportive and challenging learning environment for this child Developmental theories that support why you chose the ideas for the learning environment

Physical development

Justin has fully physical development and engages in motor cognitive activities like fixing puzzles and shapes. He portrays excellent coordination of hand, eyes and also has equally developed his language to ask questions.

The learning environment supports his physical development. The teacher provides age-appropriate activity to enhance this development, stays around to provide support and also places him with other children for interactive learning

Follow the leader activities, interactive group puzzle solving like building tower and fixing shapes. The teacher should at least provide group activities. Yet, some activities (involving only one child), should be provided with teacher supervising and supporting or guiding him through

The need for autonomy is because at preschool stage, children are more focused on personal control as well as sense of independence over their physical prowess and skills. This is aligned with Erickson’s 8 stages of development (Slee & Shute, 2014).

Cognitive development

Justin shows a sense of enthusiasm towards learning new concepts and abstract ideas. Although not fully developed, he is determined to learn. He also seeks approval and praise for what he has accomplished. He is committed to learning and seeks support from the teacher. At least, he is at advanced stage of cognitive development, especially learning about abstract concepts like three-dimensional puzzle

The classroom environment and setting provides support and necessary activities for cognitive development. The three-dimensional puzzle activity, as such, is specifically aimed at improving the child’s cognitive functioning and ability. The teacher’s support is equally evident, with relationship established with the students. Yet, there is limiting opportunity for relationship and engagement with other learners like Sarah.

Practicing shapes and colors will provide more opportunities for development. However, these should be guided and instructional activities that involve the teacher paying close attention to Justin. She should, for instance, pair him in activities with Sarah but again, provide some activities whereby he can specifically work alone

The suggestions are embedded in the pre-operational stage of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. During this stage, children have learned to use language. They cannot comprehend concrete logic, hence, only Puzzle activities for abstract knowledge are recommended. It is also about children not able to find mental manipulation information (Slee & Shute, 2014).

Yet, Bandura’s Social Learning Theory is the reason for recommending social support from the teacher since teachers are like caregivers and the support is needed as children learn through simple observation and modeling (Richardson, 2019).

Social/emotional development

It is evident that Justin’s social or emotional development is in development. He only has trust in the teacher and not his peers. He is aggressive towards Sarah and likes to keep work to himself and as such, not attuned to sharing The presence of other children in the classroom environment supports social development through interaction. The teacher is also around to offer support; emotional attachment and assurance that Justin needs to develop emotionally. The class activity which involves solving word puzzle helps to towards sound emotional development by improving the child’s self-esteem Interactive activities are necessary because Justin is harsh towards Sarah

The teacher should also provide class materials and books that focus on empathy, sharing, caring and interaction

Sharing and engagement with others is derived from Bowlby’s Attachment Theory who conceptualized that early attachment between the child and the caregiver profoundly influences their social relationships (Slee & Shute, 2014).

APA Reference:

Richardson, K. (2019). Models of cognitive development. Psychology Press.

Shute, R. H., & Slee, P. T. (2015). Child development: Theories and critical perspectives. London: Routledge.

Slee, P. T., & Shute, R. (2014). Child development: Thinking about theories texts in developmental psychology. London: Routledge.