Bshs 342 - Observation Journal

Observation Journal

BSHS/342 Human Lifespan

University of Phoenix

Week 2:

Observation: I observed a child that is 2 and a half years old. She was playing with her toys in her bedroom. I asked the mother's permission if I could observe her and she said it was okay. She seemed to be a healthy and active child, normal for her age. She was playing with whatever was playing around and at times would come over and ask me to play with her. It seemed as though she had a great imagination and would start talking to herself or whom ever she had in her mind that was there.

Summary: Her language is still developing but you can make out what she is trying to say for the most part, her mother could tell you most of the time what she was saying. Her social interaction was minimal due to the fact she was the only one in the room at that time. I know she has a little brother but he was not present at this time. I asked her mom how she did in this area, she told me that she got along really well with other children and is exceptional with her brother. She did have some "mine" syndrome going on. Her mother went to pick up some of her things and she was not happy about it at all. It was interesting to watch her form a sort of boundary from us with her toys, and she was not impressed when someone tried to cross the line.

PERSONAL Reflection: I thought it was very interesting to watch this child and learn from her really. I think at this stage people begin to develop into the people they will become. It is amazing to me that when people are at this age they do not even realize you are in the room at times. The girl I was watching did not care if we were there or not she played the same regardless. Children at this age are so carefree and seem to have no worries in the world. I often thought as I watched her, I wonder what is going on in her mind and what she thinks about.

Week 3:

Observation: This week I observed my 13 year old son without his knowledge of course. I watched him with his friend playing video games in his room. I heard some things that I was not sure I wanted to coming from boys of this age but did not say anything because I wanted to keep watching them without them knowing. My son is a regular active teenager. He is in many different sports and spends a lot of time with his friends. As parents we are no longer needed by him for many things.

Summary: My son has been changing in many ways this year, his voice and growing hair on his face and legs is notable. My son has great motor skills, I really noticed this when watching him play his video games, he can make those games do things I was not sure they could do and he is fast at it. He is really shown to make good rational decisions. He has great problem solving skills as noted when watching him in his element. He and his friend were trying to figure out how to hook up the game to where both of them could play, he asked me to help and I told him to figure it out, he had to finagle it but they got it. Teenagers are growing into themselves and trying to figure out who they are by watching my son you can see this very clearly. He acts one way when he is just with his family and another when he is with his friends and does not know that he is being watched.

Personal Reflection: I actually enjoyed watching my son without him knowing, it made me realize how fast they turn into adults. I am not sure that I like the fact that he is becoming so independent and does not think that I am "cool" anymore. He wants to spend more time with his friends than with his old parents. The hugging and kissing has almost stopped, especially if we are any where near his friends or could be in sight of them. At this stage of life these kids are developing into young adults and finding out who they are and what they want to be. Because I decided to observe my son this one is close to my heart and it makes me sad that he will sooner than I would like be on his own making his own choices.

Week 4:

Observation: This week I observed a man who seemed to be in his middle