Child Observation

Subject: 1 Year Old Boy

Location: Toy room

Concept: play, Language, sense of self, empathy

It was playtime for the one year old boy. There were all sorts of toys. The playroom was very small. There was a huge toy chest full to the top with toys. On the wall there was a body length mirror. This was the little boys favorite place to play. He would also play with some of the other toys like blocks, cars, stuffed animals and other things. No matter what he grabbed he always brought it in front of the mirror.

When he would cry or show any type of emotion he would always work his way over to the mirror. He wanted to see what that emotion looked like. Somehow the mirror always made things better. The one year old plays in the mirror as if it is another child playing right along with him. The boy waves bye bye and hello to himself in the mirror. He also moves his mouth and other body parts in the mirror.

The child walks over to the toy chest and starts throwing toys on to the floor then finally finds the toy he was looking for. The toy is a microphone. He talks very loudly into it and giggles. He isn't saying any words, just making noises. Then he walks over to his activity table where he proceeds to turn the table on. When the toy turns on music starts to play. The boy begins to dance. He makes sure you can see him. He likes attention.

After all the play the boy becomes tired and runs to get his puppy. This puppy is a green stuffed animal. The little boy picks puppy up and kisses it. Then he throws it onto his shoulder and proceeds to hug it. While hugging the puppy he is patting it on its back. Then he gently puts the puppy to the floor and walks away. If the little boy is told to love his puppy he then again kisses and hugs the stuffed animal. Bedtime finally come so the little boy gathers his puppy and climbs into his bed. Lying down in bed he pulls the cover over him and goes to sleep without further instruction.