A Learning Story
The following learning story illustrates my proficiency in observing, documenting, and interpreting children's behaviours, meaningfully reflecting their developmental progression. I have chosen to include it in my e-portfolio to demonstrate my expertise in utilizing observation to identify developmental milestones, including advancements in gross motor skills, and to develop individualized strategies that support continuous growth. It further exemplifies my dedication to cultivating a child-centred learning environment, prioritizing curiosity, creativity, and perseverance. By incorporating this learning story, I emphasize my capability to blend thoughtful observation with practical strategies to promote the holistic development of children.
Name of Child: Charlie Date of Observation: July 9, 2022
Date of Birth: June 12, 2020 Observer: Hayley Wong
The Settings: Toddler room
Developmental Area: Physical
Charlie's Foot-Powered Adventures with the Toy Car
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Figures 1 & 2. The Natural Curiosity of Toddlers. (Top Hat, 2020)
Today, Charlie made an exciting discovery. They found an orange toy car and a plastic lid. Charlie's curiosity led them to place the lid underneath the car, creating a ramp. With determination, they propelled the car forward using their hands, then switched to using their left foot to kick it with renewed energy. Even when they encountered an obstacle, Charlie persisted in their attempts, displaying impressive motor skills. Later, Charlie redirected their focus toward a nearby compost bin, but they continued to use their left foot to propel the car repeatedly.
Great job, Charlie! Your experimentation with the toy car was impressive. I appreciate your curiosity and enthusiasm for learning new things. Your decision to use the lid as a ramp was a creative and resourceful idea. Seeing how much joy and excitement you had during the learning process was wonderful. Keep exploring and embracing new challenges as you continue to grow and learn. Congratulations on a job well done!
Interpretations and Reflections
Charlie seemed to be exploring their physical abilities and developing his gross motor skills. It appeared that they understand alternative ways to interact with objects and are gaining coordination and control over their lower body movements, as evidenced by using their foot to engage with the car. According to OMEd (2014, p.35), Charlie appeared to have a proficiency of 5.1 in riding toys of gross motor. They were refining their ability to generate force by propelling the car forward. Additionally, Charlie's use of their left foot by standing with one foot to move the toy car slowly demonstrated a balance of gross motor skills (OMEd, 2014, p. 35). They appeared to exercise precision and control in their movements, showing an emerging ability to modulate their foot's force and direction to achieve their desired outcome.
Next Steps
To improve Charlie's foot control and coordination, we suggest providing them with objects encouraging foot-based exploration, such as balls of different sizes, textured surfaces, and sensory materials. We can also encourage activities that promote balance and coordination, such as walking on a balance beam or hopping on one foot. To foster their social skills and communication, we can engage them in cooperative play with peers and encourage them to describe their experiences during play to enhance their vocabulary and language abilities. Introducing gross motor games and challenges, like kicking a ball into a target or playing soccer, can also improve their physical development. We will keep track of their progress to monitor their growth and development. With these opportunities and support, Charlie can continue progressing in their physical development.
References
Ontario Ministry of Education. (2014). Excerpts from “ELECT”. Toronto: Queen’s Printer for Canada. [NOTE: Original publication prepared by the Best Start Expert Panel, 2007].
Fenning, K. & Wylie, S. (2020). The Natural Curiosity of Toddlers [Video]. Observing Young Children: Transformative Inquiry, Pedagogical Documentation, and Reflection (6th ed.). Top Hat. On Top Hat online platform.