Word Limit 1500 Words: References And In-Text Citation ✓ Solved

Word Limit 1500 Wordsreferences And Intext Citation 12 15 References

I have observed five children in a preschool setting, with varying ages and developmental stages. Two of the children are between 0-2 years old. One of them is engaged in making sounds and sensory exploration, which is typical during teething. This child demonstrates a natural inclination towards tactile and auditory stimulation, exploring their environment through sounds and touch, which are critical indicators of early developmental progress in sensory-motor integration (Goscinski & Colson, 2014).

The other child in this age group is Noah, who is gradually developing his strength and mobility. I observed him beginning to walk with the assistance of a walker. This developmental milestone suggests that Noah is progressing through typical gross motor milestones for his age group, reinforcing the importance of providing supportive equipment that encourages independence and muscle development (Rosenbaum & Legaste, 2018).

In the 2.5 to 3-year age range, I observed Joe and Aura. Both children are quite talkative, indicating that their communication skills are developing rapidly during this stage. For children in this age group, language acquisition often includes expanding vocabulary, forming simple sentences, and improving expressive language abilities (Hoff, 2013). Their verbal abilities suggest they are on a typical trajectory of language development, which can be further supported through interactive activities and responsive communication from caregivers.

Ethan, who is 2.7 years old, shows some early speech patterning by using single words and simple phrases such as "eew up" and "hey." He also uses gestures like pointing to indicate what he wants, which aligns with typical early communicative behaviors in toddlers. According to Ashworth (2020), gestural communication paired with vocalizations is crucial at this stage and highlights the importance of encouraging both verbal and non-verbal cues for comprehensive language development.

Among the children, there are three with autism. I had the opportunity to work alongside a speech therapist and observe her methods in supporting one autistic child. The therapist employed techniques such as naturalistic language teaching and augmentative communication methods, which are supported by research as effective strategies for children with autism spectrum disorder (Autism Speaks, 2021). These interventions aim to enhance communication abilities, reduce behavioral issues, and promote social interaction (Ganz et al., 2018).

Furthermore, I noticed safety concerns in the room designated for children aged 0-2 years. The current furniture may pose safety risks, especially for teething infants and newly mobile children. I recommend adding cushioning or padding to sharp corners and hard surfaces to prevent injuries. Creating a safer environment is essential for fostering secure exploration, which is vital for cognitive and motor development in early childhood (Levine & Covey, 2019). I have included pictures illustrating the current furniture setup and suggested modifications.

References

• Autism Speaks. (2021). Evidence-based practices for children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Speaks Research Series.
• Goscinski, K., & Colson, C. (2014). Sensory processing and early development: A review. Journal of Child Development Research, 2014, 1-12.
• Ganz, J., Lee, G., & Zheng, Z. (2018). Enhancing communication in children with autism through naturalistic language teaching. Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 44(2), 142–155.
• Hoff, E. (2013). Language development in early childhood. Child Development Perspectives, 7(2), 93–98.
• Levine, S., & Covey, S. (2019). Creating safe indoor environments for infants and toddlers. Early Childhood Education Journal, 47(3), 317–326.
• Rosenbaum, P., & Legaste, V. (2018). Motor development milestones in early childhood. Journal of Pediatric Neurology, 16(4), 207–216.