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Observations of Child Development

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Observations of Child Development
This paper will discuss a child that was observed on a number of occasions in their family setting at home. It will explore the student social worker’s understanding of child development linking theory and reality. . A critical account based on six observations sessions of the child development on….. drawing on what has been seen and student knowledge on appropriate milestones, literature research and social work theory. The student will reflect on their role as an observer and what has been learnt during the process of observation and it’s relevance to social work

Different areas of development are inter-related. The ideas, language, communication, feelings, relationships and other cultural elements among which each child is brought up influence his or her development profoundly. (Carolyn Meggitt and Gerald Sunderland) (2000) Child Development : An illustrated guide. Heinemann.

The skills of observation are important and the importance of tone of voice and body language, particularly when the words spoken might be saying something completely different. Sometimes observing teaches you things that you can’t be told and sometimes we are tuned to listen instead of look. A part of the process of becoming a social worker is observation. Observation is the power to see what isn 't obvious. Observation is seeing and hearing, and also seeing what’s missing, picking up on what is omitted, analytically processing whilst doing the observation. It’s important we understand observation is a powerful tool in our assessment and intervention. Observing is an essential skill for everyone working with children.( Carolyn Meggitt and Gerald Sunderland) (2000). Observation helps social workers and students to reflect upon situations before intervening (Pat Le Riche and Karem Tanner)

Using observational methods are helpful in describing individual’s behaviour as they interact in real time; and allow the reader to create a verbal picture of the behaviours as they unfold. This



Bibliography: Bick, Ester (1964) 'Notes on Infant Observation in Psychoanalytic Training '. International Journal of Psychoanalysis. Bion, W (1962) Learning from Experience. Heinemann. London. Bridge, G & Miles, G (eds) (1996) @On the Outside Looking in: Collected Essays on Young Child Observations ' in Social Work Training CCETSW. Erikson, E (1950) Childhood and Society. New York Norton. Goldstein, H (1990) 'The Knowledge Base of Social Work Practice: Theory, Wisdom, Analogue or Art? Families in Society ': The Journal of Contemporary Human Services, January, pp.32-43. HMSO (1988) Protecting Children – A Guide for Social Workers. Undertaking a Comprehensive Assessment HMSO. Humphries B (1988) 'Adult Learning in Social Work Education: Towards Liberation of Domestication ' : Journal of Critical Social Policy, September, 8, 4-21 Menzies, Lyth, I (1988) Containing Anxiety in Institutions Piaget, J (1972) To Understand is to Invent New York : The Viking Press Inc. Rustin M (2004) 'Learning from the Victoria Climbie Enquiry ' : Journal of Social Work Practice. 18 (1): 9-18 Winnicott, D (1965) The Maturational Process and the Facilitating Environment London : Hogarth

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