Section 1
I had an opportunity to carefully observe an infant who was 10 months old boy for about 2 hours in the infant and toddler classroom at Friends Center for Children.
Before entering the classroom, I washed my hands and left my shoes on the door step. You were not allowed to wear your shoes inside, because the kids are young and still crawl on the floor.
When I entered the room, it was a small room where few babies were sleeping in their cribs and some were ready for their snacks. The infants were surrounded by different textures and brilliant colors. There was only one rocking chair so that the caregiver could feed and rock the babies comfortably. The walls were decorated with animal’s cutouts. On the other side of the room there were cabinets and drawers with the sink in between. All the cabinets were child proof and each cabinet had bins that were filled with the babies extra clothes, diapers, and wipes. There was a small changing table where caregivers changed the babies’ diapers. The room floor was mostly carpeted. The kid’s art work was displayed on their eye level. Age appropriate toys like touch and feel puzzles, dolls, mirror blocks and touch and feel books were on the shelf. Outside of the room there was a cubby area where baby’s jackets were hanging. All the cubbies were labeled with each child’s name, picture and their family pictures. The classroom environment provides many choices for different activities. The infant classroom provides a safe, comfortable, clean and attractive environment in which children can spend and enjoy their day with their friends and caregivers.
Section 2
I observed a 10 month old boy. He had just waked up from his nap time. He was smiling to his caregiver. He had black round eyes and had curly, short black hair. The caregiver called his name and he started moving his hands round and round. He was lying down on his crib. He saw me and gave me a big smile. The caregiver lifted him up from the crib and put him down on the changing table. As soon as she opened his diaper, he lifted his both legs up high and holds them with his small hands. As he was smiling to the caregiver he opened and closed his hands. He was wiggling his toes, and at the same time he was turning his head left and right. He started cooing and blabbering sounds. The caregiver started talking to him in a very soothing way. He was noticing and listening to her with his wide open mouth and eyes. She was encouraging him by talking and repeating his sounds. After she changed his diaper he started crying. The caregiver told me he was ready for his snack. She held him in her arms and started making a bottle of milk for him. As soon as he saw his milk was ready, his hands started moving excitedly and bouncing up and down in her arms. She sat on a comfy pillow with the boy in her lap. He was holding his bottle with his both hands. While drinking milk he was looking at me and other friends. After drinking milk he started playing with a big block bead. He started banging the bead on the floor. He was sitting with his both legs wide out. He was leaning forward with his stomach to the floor to grab another bead. Then he started crawling across the floor with his hands flat on the ground and fingers spread wide. He crawled back again to the carpet area and started observing his other friends. Then he picked some alphabet shaped like crabs and put it in his mouth. He looked at his caregiver who was saying “no,” then he nodded his head and reached to get another alphabet crab. He smiled at her and she smiled back. It was a very positive relationship between them. A few minutes later the caregiver turned on the music. The baby started bouncing and shaking his arms all around. He was sitting on the floor with his toys around him. At the same time his mom came inside to pick him up. He saw his mom and lifted his both arms with a big smile on his face. His mom picked him up and gave him a big hug. Then he was standing with the support of his mom and she was putting on his jacket. He waved his both hands to his caregiver to order to say bye.
Section 3
Physical Development:
From birth to 12 months, the most important changes take place within the child. This is the period when he will learn how to use his senses and increase motor abilities to develop skills like grasping, rolling, sitting up and even crawling.
Based on my observation the child showed his head control. Roll over in both directions. He can also reach, grasp toys by himself. He can support his weight on his arms and legs while crawling. While playing he can also sit by himself. He is able to grab toys that can fit in his hand while sitting. He seems to have good motor skills both fine and gross for his age.
Personal and Social Development:
He enjoys social playing. Responds to other peoples expressions of emotion and enjoys interaction with others as well as playing independently for short period of time. When caregiver smiles at him he smiles back at her that shows recognition of familiar faces. He responds by smiling, cooing and moving his body. Notice other children and their actions but not ready to join them. Make eye contact and responded to his name. He expresses his basic emotions through facial expressions, crying, smiling or laughing. Show his trust to his caregivers. Respond to adult interactions, tone of voice, expressions and gestures.
Cognitive and Language Development:
The child quickly discovered how to use his senses to explore the environment. He responded to sight and sound in the environment. He recognized familiar people or toys in the environment. He discovered how to make interesting sounds by banging on the floor. He showed that he can solve his problem by reaching to his toy.
First he responded to the level and pitch of the caregiver. He reacted when heard his own name. He understands the words that comfort him. He use variety of expressions and sounds like cooing, babbling. He responded to music.
It is important to realize that the rate at which these milestones are reached can vary, as each child will develop at his own pace.