play observation journal

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Humanities

UCI

Description

Play Observation Journal

(MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25 at 11:59 pm)

You will observe children in play for the purpose of observing the six functions of play. (Note: A minimum of 5 different observations must be done through the semester until the due date. Though each play episode may not exhibit all six functions you must keep making play observations until you have observed good examples of all six functions). They cannot all be done in several hours in one day. You cannot be involved with the children at all during the 5 observations. This is objective and to be fully objective, you need to be like a “fly on the wall” while observing.

EXAMPLE
Begin your Journal with an introduction and write a detailed conclusion/reflection at the end of all that you observed over the 5 episodes.

Record in your Journal the following for each play episode:

1. Background information:

Date and Time of the observation(s)

Description of the Children (e.g. approximate ages, gender)

Description of the play environment

2. Analysis and discussion of Children's Play specifically related to the Functions of Play and Play Facilitation techniques as you are learning.

2.1. Describe the Play Episode in detail that clearly is characterized by Suspension of Reality. This is an anecdotal (just the facts and be objective) observation. Write down everything you see the children doing and saying. It should be as if it is a video playback.

2.2. Analyze the play episode. Provide examples from the play episode and explain why they are illustrative of the following:

-2.2.1. Functions of play: Give examples from the play episode that demonstrate the six functions of play and justify why each is an example of that function of play.

-2.2.2 Play facilitation: Analyze and discuss Facilitation Techniques (both direct and indirect) utilized by people or "things" in the environment. Use the text and other course materials to analyze the play facilitation in detail. Is it indirect? Direct? Etc. Explain why? Give examples.

3. Conclusion including your thoughts about your observations and what you have learned regarding play and observation/analysis. This will be your complete reflection of all 5 observations you did for this assignment.


**Keep in mind this is your final project for our course, and you want to show all that you have learned about the Dynamics of Children’s Play*

HERE IS THE SETTING FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT TALK ABOUT HOW EACH OBSERVATION WAS DONE EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT ON SHABBAT WHEN WE HAVE FAMILY GATHERING AND MY LITTLE COUSIN WHO IS 6 YEARAS OLD GIRL AND SAY OTHE RTIME WHEN SHE WOULD COME OVER WITH MY AUNT AND COME PLAY WIOTH MY DOGS OR GO SWIMMING



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Explanation & Answer

Attached.

Introduction
Purpose: To record and discuss five play observations of a six-year-old cousin during Shabbat
dinners and other visits.
Focus: Six roles of play include: Cognitive play, psychomotor play, socio-emotional play,
creative play and, affective play, and acculturation.
Approach: Sneak preview of children’s imagination in their plays, aquatic activities, and
interactions with dogs for purposes of play observation.
Observation #1
Background Information
Date and Time: 3: 30 PM on November 21, 2024.
Description of the Child: 6-year-old girl, cousin.
Play Environment: Play area, toys, board games and pillows in living room, no interference from
family members.
Analysis and Discussion
2.1. Suspension of Reality (Play Episode):
A pillow as a boat main convenience; making fun of the toy, playing sea boss with young cousin
as ship companion – acting out various situations such as stormy sea and hunting for treasures.
2.2. Analysis
Cognitive Development: A fantasy-based approach to designing and solving problems using
action planning on a specific case.

Social Skills: Role assignment and teamwork.
Emotional Regulation: Majoring and minoring on tasks to pretend different situations.
Physical Development: Swinging, climbing and leaping during play.
Creative Expression: Extrapolating the tale around the mundane items.
Cultural Assimilation: The effect on children by societal and media impact being involved in
adventure stories.
Play Facilitation:
Indirect: Lack of barriers and soft furniture led to creativity during play.
Direct: Engagement of family provided security environment of safety without intrusion.
Conclusion
Summary of Key Learnings: Play: a means of acquiring knowledge and personal development
and creativity.
Functions of play observed: Cognitive, social, physical, emotional, creative and aesthetic.
Reflection: This specified observing imaginative and self-directed play we needed to expand our
understanding of play and examine many environments that are nurturing young children’s
autonomy and overall development.


1

Student Name
Student ID
Institutional Affiliations
Course
Date

2

Introduction
This journal records five play observations of my six-year-old cousin on different
occasions during weekend Shabbat dinners and other visits. These observations focus on
analyzing the six functions of play: thinking skills, growth of the motor skills, affective domain,
psychomotor domain, socio-emotional development, creativity, and acculturation. In each case, I
did not interfere but only observed student interactions and behaviors. Imagination play,
swimming, and playing with our dogs afford meaningful insights into the nature of children’s
play.
Observation #1
1. Background Information
Date and Time: Friday, 21th November, 2024 at 3:30 PM.
Description of the Child: 6-year-old girl, my cousin.
Description of the Play Environment: Family with children was playing with toys, board games,
and pillows in the living room; other family members were sitting close and talking.
2. Analysis and Discussion
2.1. Listen to This Episode: (Suspension of Reality)
Another time, my cousin placed several pillows in line, pointing at them, enthused, “This
is my boat, and we are off to the treasure island.” She mimed the driver, from time to time,
yelling, “Oh no, a storm!” She persuaded my younger sibling to pretend to be a shipmate,
ordering around such things as ‘pull the anchor’ (gesticulate) and ‘watch out for sharks.’ They

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