Observation Journal
YOUR NAME: Kimber Van Zile
Age and gender observed: Male age 11 Description of situation where observations were made: I observed this male in a classroom environment at the school that I currently work at. This child was observed in a familiar and comfortable setting. I was also able to observe him on the playground with his classmates and other students at recess.

Development theory or theories you are following with this observation: With this 11 year old male I am going to use the developmental theories of Vygotsky's Social Development Theory. I feel that this childs social development is a lot different than the other classmates that he is around. I feel that is social development is lacking in many areas which in the end results to frustration not only by himself but by his teacher and the other students that are around this child daily.

Physical Development observed: The students physical development according to charts comparable to the doctors office seems to be on average. His physical form is not any different from the peers in his class or other classes in his same grade. He is about average weight and height than all the other males that are currently around him while at school.

Cognitive/language Development observed: Piaget and Vygotsky both agree that active learners and social interaction are important for development, but they differ in their reasons why. Piaget focuses on the manipulation of objects and ideas, together with the validation of schemes; Vygotsky emphasizes participation in verbal cultural exchange. With that being said I feel that Vygotsky’s theory is proven to be correct in this situation. This childs cognitive/language development seems to be a little different compared to those of the same age and sex that are around them. The child I observed was very impatient seemed to talk in a whinny voice when he was confused or did not understand the directions of what the teacher was explaining. He was very persistent in doing and trying to continue to do what he wanted to do and how he wanted to do it, even though the teacher refused to accept the work, because he wasn’t following directions. Yet after doing his work the correct way it was above and beyond some of the other students work.

Personality development observed: The young man’s personality development was very different from all the other students at the school that were his age. He was very friendly with everyone and often too friendly and invading would be invading their personal space. Out on the playground the child was typically by himself, for the fact that when he would “play” with the other children they were predominantly mean to him because the way he would act. As he did with the teacher, he would whine and try to demand things to be done his way out at recess with the other students. That seem to cause frustration and irritation towards the other students, which I feel can affect his personality development.

Social development observed: His social development seems to be a little abnormal compared to his peers and other children his age. Vygotsky felt that social development in childhood plays an important role in a childs life as they continue to grow. This eleven year old child, seems to suffer or lack in the social development. He has a hard time socializing and accepting others differences that are different from his own opinions, needs, or wants.

Critical issues (key milestones and developmental characteristics, etc.) being faced at this age based on reading and personal understanding of theories: Vygotsky’s theory would definitely go hand in hand with this child and in this case it would prove his theory to be correct. For Vygotsky’s feels that in the teaching system in many schools has an instructionist model, that is where the teacher “transmits” the information to the students. His theory is that it would be more beneficial to the students if the students were able to play an active part/role in their learning process. With this student I feel that if he was able to have a “part” in his learning process, that it would help keep him more focused and would keep him from interrupting the rest of the class from their learning.

Observations of critical issues being manifested verbally and/or behaviorally: I feel that there are many critical issues being manifested amongst this child bother verbally and behaviorally. Verbally I feel that the child is often shouting out the wrong answer, not necessarily on purpose but just because he isn’t paying attention. Yet it also seemed he would do it to get a reaction from the students and teacher. I feel that this can hinder his growth in academics as well as his mental well being, I say that because he is often being ridiculed for his outbursts. The critical issues that I feel this student has behaviorally is his ability to not being able to communicate with his peers which overall ends up affecting his behavioral patterns. Where as the child will end up going from one extreme to the other, one minute he is demanding orders for others to do and the next minute he doesn’t want anyone to look his way or even talk to him.

Learning gained from this observation and how you expect to apply it: I feel I have gained a lot of information while observing this student. I feel that in the field I am going into as a LCSW, that I will help these children focus on the positive that they are doing. As Vygotsky’s theory states that if children would be able to be an active part in their learning it would relieve a lot of the current problems at schools. Yet at the same time if these children continue on to a higher education they must be able to have coping skills in order to be successful in a classroom when they are given a lecture from their teacher. Therefore we must address this problem while they are young so they can have a prosperous future.