Health and Physical Development of Infants - Essay Example

After excitedly demonstrating, the teacher should ask the child "Can you make it shake too?" The teacher should encourage the child to grasp and shake the ball.

Assessment of the child's progress:

The teacher should document the infant's progress by taking pictures of the child throughout the activity.

 Family Involvement and assessment partnership:

Share with family a way to make an easy, soft bell ball at home.

This website shows how to make one:  http://makuranososhi.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/baby-grab-ball/

Other times infants can practice their fine motor skills:

• Exploring soft books with Mom or Dad
• Playing with overhead toys in the play gym
• Clapping with a family member

Families can share their assessment of their children's progress through:

• informal conversations
• pictures or video

Title: Baby sign language

Area of development:  Language Development and Communication

Age:  Toddler

Size of group: two children

Standards:

NAEYC 2.D.03.b - Children have varied opportunities to develop verbal and nonverbal communication competence by communicating needs, thoughts, and experiences.

Materials:

For teacher reference:

Printouts of the sign language for:

Eat

Drink

Bathroom

Sleep

Play

Procedures:

This will be an activity that spans several weeks.

Week 1: Start teaching children the 'Eat' sign, using it when reading stories and during mealtime routines.

Week 2: Continue using the 'Eat' sign, and start teaching the 'Drink' sign, using it when reading stories and during mealtime routines.

Week 3: Continue using 'Eat' and 'Drink' signs, start teaching the 'Bathroom' sign, using it when reading stories and when changing children or when children use the potty.

Week 4: Continue using 'Eat', 'Drink', and 'Bathroom' signs, start teaching the 'Sleep' sign, using it when reading stories and during naptime.

Week 5: Continue using all previous signs, start teaching the 'Play' sign, using it when reading stories and when children are playing through the day.

Assessment of the child's progress:

The teacher should document the toddler's progress through anecdotal notes and checklists.

Family Involvement and assessment partnership:

Give the parents a copy of the signs you use in the classroom and encourage them to practice them at home with their children.

Other times toddlers can practice their communication skills:

• Using signs to show the need to go to the potty
• Using signs to show a desire to eat
• Using signs to show a desire to sleep

Families can share their assessment of their children's progress through:

• informal conversations
• family teacher conference

Title: Sensory Bags

Area of development:  Cognitive Development

Age: 2-year-old

Size of group: 1 child

Standards:

NAEYC 2.G.03 - Children are provided with varied opportunities and materials that encourage them to use the five senses to observe, explore, and experiment with scientific phenomena.

Materials:

1 clear plastic bag containing sugar-free red Jello

1 closed paper bag containing cinnamon sticks

(Make sure no children have cinnamon allergies)

1 closed paper bag containing bells

Procedures:

The teacher will first show the child the bag with red jello and ask the child "What color do you see?"

She should then ask the child to feel the bag and describe how it feels.

Then, the teacher should write the child's name on the bag and set it aside, promising it for a snack later in the day.

Next, the teacher should give the child the bag with the cinnamon sticks and ask "What does the bag smell like?" After the child answers, the teacher should allow the child to open the bag and see/hold the cinnamon sticks.

Finally, the teacher should give the child the bag containing bells and ask "What do you think is in this bag? Try shaking it and see what you hear."

After the child answers, the teacher should allow the child to open the bag and discover the bells.

Assessment of the child's progress:

The teacher should document the toddler's progress through anecdotal notes and checklists.

Family Involvement and assessment partnership:

Encourage parents to do similar sensory activities at home, such as letting their young children participate in cooking activities.

Other times children can practice their cognition(sensory) skills:

• Going on a nature walk with Mom or Dad
• Sitting still and listening to the world around them
• Playing "I Spy"

Families can share their assessment of their children's progress through:

• informal conversations