One-On-One Interaction Plan Design An Assessment Play Or Int
One On One Interaction Plandesign An Assessment Play Or Interaction
Design an assessment, play, or interaction activity that allows you to interact with a child age eight or younger in a one-on-one situation. Create a plan that allows you to demonstrate and see one of the theories from last week's readings in action (for example, Piaget, Gardner, Vygotsky, Skinner). Your interaction should help promote the child's role in directing his or her learning. In Unit 2, you were tasked with designing your one-on-one interaction activity and sharing it with peers. This week, you will interact with the child and then write your results and reflection for submission at the end of the unit.
Include in your reflection your analysis of the communication techniques you used during the interaction, such as verbal, nonverbal, and listening techniques, and how these interactions led to improved learning for the child. Write a 2–4-page paper in which you present three sections: Describe the interaction and intended goals, linking them back to the theory you intended the interaction to demonstrate. Describe the implementation of the interaction and the child's reaction to it. Analyze the interaction and describe what worked well to improve the child's self-directed learning, what did not work well, and what you would adapt if doing it again. Remember to always tie this back to your theory. To protect confidentiality, please do not mention real names of those with whom you conduct the activity.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
In designing a one-on-one interaction with a young child, the primary objective was to create an engaging, educational activity rooted in a specific developmental theory. For this project, I selected Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory, emphasizing the importance of social interaction and scaffolding to promote self-directed learning. The interaction centered around a guided problem-solving activity using building blocks, which allowed the child to explore and learn within their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). The goal was to observe how guided interaction could facilitate cognitive development and foster independence.
Interaction Description and Goals
The activity involved presenting the child with a partially completed structure made from building blocks, asking them to complete the structure independently or with minimal guidance. The intended goal was to encourage the child’s self-initiated problem solving while providing scaffolding through gentle prompting and encouragement, aligning with Vygotsky’s concept that learning occurs best within the ZPD with appropriate support. The interaction aimed to promote the child's autonomy, confidence in problem-solving, and active engagement, reinforcing their role as a self-directed learner.
Implementation and Child’s Reaction
During the interaction, I adopted a facilitative role, providing verbal cues and nonverbal gestures such as nodding and maintaining eye contact to demonstrate attentiveness. I used open-ended questions like, “What do you think should go next?” and reflective statements such as, “That’s an interesting choice,” to promote dialogue. The child responded enthusiastically, expressing their reasoning behind each placement, and showed persistent effort despite minor frustrations. They occasionally looked to me for reassurance or hints, indicating engagement within their ZPD. The child demonstrated increasing independence, trying different approaches based on feedback, which aligned with Vygotsky’s emphasis on social interaction supporting cognitive growth.
Analysis and Reflection
This interaction revealed several effective strategies. Verbal scaffolding through open-ended questions encouraged critical thinking and decision-making, fostering self-directed learning. Nonverbal cues, such as attentive posture and encouraging facial expressions, helped create a supportive environment that motivated the child. Listening attentively to their reasoning provided valuable insight into their thought process and allowed me to tailor my support appropriately.
However, some aspects could be improved. At times, I provided hints prematurely, which may have limited the child's opportunity to develop independent problem-solving skills fully. In future interactions, I would aim to resist offering solutions too soon and instead focus on prompting deeper thinking. Additionally, incorporating more visual aids or cues aligned with Vygotsky’s emphasis on cultural tools could enhance understanding and engagement.
Conclusion
This experience underscored the importance of a nurturing, responsive interaction that fosters the child’s agency in their learning process. By applying Vygotsky’s theory, I observed how scaffolding and social support can effectively promote self-directed learning and cognitive development. Future sessions would benefit from a more deliberate balance of guidance and independence, ensuring that the child remains the primary driver of their learning journey.
References
- Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.
- Piaget, J. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children. International Universities Press.
- Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. Basic Books.
- Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. Macmillan.
- Bruner, J. S. (1966). Toward a theory of instruction. Harvard University Press.
- Bloom, B. S. (1956). Taxonomy of educational objectives. Longmans.
- Schunk, D. H. (2012). Learning theories: An educational perspective. Pearson Education.
- Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Self-determination theory. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 21(1), 109-132.
- Harris, P. L. (2012). Trusting what you're told: How children learn from others. Harvard University Press.
- Miller, P. H. (2011). Theories of developmental psychology. Worth Publishers.