Language Obervation Essay Example for Free

Language Obervation EssaySetting The observation took place in the childs home. The childs home is a semi-detached house in a housing estateImmediate Context This observation took place in the kitchen. TC is seated at the kitchen send back ending his homework. His father is nearby washing up at the sink. The observation took place at 2.30 in the afternoon. An hour after TC returned home from school. TCs brother and babe are running around the kitchen while a nonher brother is sitting at the table playing Lego. Name of Child TCBrief description of the child TC is a male aged 6 years and 5 months. He has been in school since September 12 months ago. He has one older brother (aged nine) three young brothers (twin 3 year olds and a 2 year old) he hasa younger sister also (aged 2 years). Because of the number in his family he is very active and talkative.Aim of observation The use up of this observation is to observe TC for a stage of time of 10 minutes in order to assess his qu arrel development.Observation TC is sitting on a chair at the kitchen table finishing off his homework he is drawing objects that begin with I. He asks how to spell ice-cream, igloo and ice as these are the shapes hes drawing. He takes out a sheet filled with words to cop. He is now looking at his words and pronouncing them. TC has entire his homework and packed away his bag. He takes out a sheet a paper.TC - A Daddy how do you spell IGLOO?A - TC I-G-L-O-OTC - A How do you spell ICE?A - TC I-C-ETC - A How do you spell ICE-CREAMA - TC Well you already require ice on your page copy that firstTC - A but I need to spell ice-creamA - TC Write wipe out ICE then put a then put C-R-E-AMTC - A OkayA - TC Are you finished now Ois?TC - A Wheres Mammy Daddy?A - TC Show me, what it is?TC - A No its for Mammy, not you you wont cognize what to do with itA - TC ok shell be here in a minute shes gone to the bathroomA1 - TC whats revile Oision?TC - A1 this is a letter for you from teacherA1 - TC whats it about?TC - A1 The parent teacher meetingA1 - TC ok what have I to do with it?TC - A1 you have to read it and fill it out for teacherA1 - TC oh right okay you go on and play so, good boyEvaluationThe aim of this observation was to observe and record the language of TC, a six year old boy, for fifteen minutes as he finished his homework and engaged in conversation with his parents in order to gain a better understanding of his language development. I feel that I achieved this aim very well and that generally TCs language development appears to be within the normal range for his age.Certainly, TCs word orthoepy is accurate. He does make little errors tough e.g. he says ate for eight. This is usual for his stage of development. While children between four and five years suppose most words correctly, they may show some immature sound substitutions (Flood 2010)One of the theorists I have studied is Skinner (1957), Skinner believed thatlearning, including language learning , occurs as a result of reinforcement.Another theorist I have studied is Bruner(1915-). Bruner believed first-hand experience allows children to develop their ideas and thinking, he called this enactive thinking.Bruner stress the importance of the childs environment in language development. He believes The adults and more able peers in a childs life provide what he calls a language acquisition support system (LASS). Motherese, recasting, expanding and labelling all part of this system .Key stage of language developmentGross Motor Skills Child tries to understand the subject matter of words. The child uses adverbs and prepositions. The child talks confidently, and with more and more fluency. The child uses language creatively. The child adds vocabulary all the time. The child is an explorer and communicator he or she begins to be able to define objects by their function for example, what is a bicycle you cycle a bicycle.Fine Motor Skills A young child does not learn well in isolati on from other children and adults. The child begins to share as he or she learns. Sharing sharpens and broadens the childs thinking. This helps the child to learn better for example, he begins to understand book language, and that stories have characters and a plot (the narrative). The child begins to realise that different situations require different ways of talking. The child establishes a sense of audience (who he or she is talking to).In summary, TCs language development in terms of both fine and egregious motor skills seems to be just on target and have reached the developmental milestones expected for his age.Personal Learning Gained I learned more about childrens language development. I know understand the terminology of labelling, semantics, syntax, recasting and expanding. I learned that in order to do so accurately, a tape measure recording with transcription is advisable.References Child tutorship Education (5th Edition) (Bruce, Meggit, Grenier) Hodder Education Pla nning Play and the Early Years (2nd Edition) (Penny Tassoni, Karen Hucker) Heinemann Child Development for Students in Ireland (Eilis Flood) GillMacmillan Education Care in the Early Years (4th Edition) (Josephine Donohue Frances Gaynor) GillMacmillan