Module 9: Infant Learning

Contents

Module Objectives

In this module you will:

  1. Explore sensory learning in infants
  2. Examine theories of infant learning
  3. Write an objective, detailed observation of an infant

Activity #1: How Infants Learn

Complete this handout as you read and watch:

      • Honig (2005)
      • Honig (2007)
      • Piaget’s Sensorimotor Stage
      • Vygotsky’s Theory of Cognitive Development

Submit the completed handout on Blackboard (under ‘Assignments’ in ‘Module 9: Infant Learning Readings & Video Handout’)

 

Read Honig (2005)

Honig (2005)

 

Link to Honig (2007)

Honig(2007)

 

Watch Piaget’s Sensorimotor Stage

Watch Vygotsky’s Theory of Cognitive Development in Social Relationships 

Activity #2: Observation of an Infant Paper

We will use this virtual observation for your observation of an infant.  Watch this video and use this footage as your observation of an infant.  To ensure your health and safety, as well as the health and safety of the families, this video is the only observation that will be accepted for your Observation of an Infant Paper.

 

In this paper, you will continue to develop your muscle as an observer.  This Observation of an Infant Paper involves writing an ~3 page paper (type written, double spaced, standard 1″ margins) summarizing your observation of an infant.  The following steps will help you construct your paper:

  1. Watch the video
  2. Re-watch the video, focusing on:
    • What is in the physical environment where the setting happens? You will need to describe the items and how they are located in relation to each other for the paper.
    • What happens at the start of the observation/ video? What is the baby doing? Do they know you are observing?  How do they respond? What do they do/ say?  (This info will go into your paper)
    • Identify 3 parts (called vignettes or mini-stores) of the videos that you feel are important and would like to document in your paper. Identify vignettes that you feel capture the infant and who they are.
    • What happens as you end the observation/ video? What is the baby doing? Do they know the observation is finishing?  How do they respond? What do they do/ say? (This info will go into your paper)
    • Try to own the observation; give the baby a name — it can be the same as the name of the child in your Infant-Family Case Study Family — try to imagine yourself in the setting and actually being in the same room with the infant.  Weave those details into your paper.
  3. Each vignette should describe the baby engaged in an activity. Each activity should be 2 minutes of the video, and you should document the entire activity — don’t stop writing your vignette in the middle of the activity.  In other words, you should have 3 vignettes that capture 3 activities and each activity/ vignette should be 2 minutes of video
  4. Watch the video a third  time — or more — this time take very detailed notes.  These notes are called field notes.  The field notes should describe the child’s behaviors, actions, and reactions during each vignette and activity. Specifically, you should document what happens in the vignette in sequential, chronological order, capturing:
    • What does the infant do during the vignette?
    • How does the baby move — include all types of movements)?
    • What does the infant looks at, gaze at?
    • What seems to attract the baby’s interest? How can you can tell?
    • What toys, materials, and/or furniture does the infant use during the vignette How?
    • How does the baby vocalize, including cries, babbling, and using real words?
    • What other ways does the infant communicate, including facial expressions and gestures?
    • How does the baby interact with people?
    • Anything else you notice.
  • Your field notes will help you write your paper.  I suggest using the link to the Field Notes Form to record your notes as you watch and re-watch the video.  Jot down info that will help you – don’t worry about spelling or writing full sentences.  Keep the field notes for yourself.
  • Use your notes to construct your paper. This is the link to the Chart for Writing your Observation of an Infant Paper that will help you when writing your Observation of an Infant Paper. Again, this is for you and it is optional.
  • Describe your vignettes in sequential, chronological order; vignette #1 should happen 1st in the video, vignette #2 next, etc.
  • This is a sample vignette
  • Write your Introduction paragraph that includes the following information:
    • Describe the setting of the observation.
      • Where did the observation take place?
    • Describe the physical space.
      • What furniture, materials, equipment were in the space?
      • How was the furniture, materials and equipment positioned?
      • Who was present?
    • Describe the infant
      • What’s the baby’s name — you can create a name
      • How old is the infant?
      • Describe the baby’s physical appearance — hair, skin, facial features, body type, and clothing.
  • Write your Conclusion paragraph that answers the following questions:
    1. What struck you from the observation, either while you observing or when you were writing your paper?
    2. What did you learn about the infant?
    3. How does this observation connect to what you have learned in ECE 110?
  • Review the Guidelines for the Observation of Infant Paper, be sure you can answer ‘yes’ to all elements of the Checklist for Evaluation and Assessment  paper.  If you can answer ‘yes’ to all elements, you paper is ready for submission.

Your observation to be as detailed, descriptive and as non-judgmental (objective).  This Power Point  focuses on being a skilled observer.

 

Obervation Overview

 

What to look for when watching the video:

  • Where the observation takes place? Describe the space in detail. Who was present?
  • What the baby look like – hair, skin, facial features, body type, and clothing?
  • What the baby does, in general, during your observation?
  • What routines (eating, sleeping, toileting/ diapering, bathing, playing, transitions, etc.) you observe the family engage in? What happens during the routines? How does the baby react?
  • Pick sequential 4 segments of video that are about 2-3 minutes each – identify sections that have natural beginning and end points (do not stop in the middle of an activity). Describe what occurs in these scenarios or situations in detail.
  • Describe in chronological order, using rich vivid details with  objective language:
    • How the baby moves (please include all types of movements)?
    • What the baby looks at, gaze at?
    • What seems to attract the baby’s interest? How can you tell?
    • What toys, materials, and/or furniture the baby uses while you are observing? How?
    • How the baby vocalizes, including cries, babbling, and using real words?
    • What other ways the baby communicates, including facial expressions and gestures?
    • How the baby interacts with people?
    • Anything else you notice

 

The following resources should help you write your Observation of an Infant Paper:

Link to Guidelines for Observation of an Infant Paper

S 22 Guidelines

 

Link to Power Point for Observation of an Infant Paper

Observation of an Infant Paper

 

Link to Field Notes Form

Link to Field Notes Form (MS Word)

Observation of Infant Field Notes Form

 

Link to sample vignettes

Sample Vignettes Mini-Stories

 

Link to sample Observation of an Infant Paper

Sample Observation Infant 2

 

Link to Chart for Writing Observation of an Infant Paper

Link to Chart for Writing Observation on an Infant Paper (MS Word)

Observation of Infant Chart OL

 

Submit your completed Observation of an Infant Paper on Blackboard for ECE 209-Lecture, in Assignments, under Observation of an Infant Paper.

Activity #3: Self-Assessment

At Week 8 and Week 16 of the semester you will monitor your progress towards achieving your goals. Your learning, growth and progress towards achieving your goals will help to determine your grade for ECE 209. To monitor your progress towards meeting you goals,  answer the questions below at the end of each module to document your progress over the semester.

  • What did you learn in this week’s modules for ECE 209-Lecture and Seminar that connects to your goals?
    • Information/ knowledge
    • Skills
    • Insights (connections you made or “ah-ha’s” you had about the material)
  • How will the material from these modules help and support you to meet your goals?

CLICK HERE TO POST YOUR SELF-REFLECTION