Holistic Development of a 5-Year-Old

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HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF A 5-YEAR-OLD
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ABSTRACT
This is a report defining the holistic development of a 5- year old. In the
observation, one anecdotal records, one running record, narrative method and socio-
grams were used. The TC was able to show his abilities, speak well, show social
interest, self-confidence and good gross motor skills. This generally showed his
physical, language and social or emotional development of a 5-year-old. He met the
holistic norms for a child of that age. All that the child needed was support and those
that around keep talking to him in order to introduce new ideas to him. The siblings and
the parents of the TC are the role models in building his self-confidence from his actions
and words in how he expresses himself and they should be supportive.
INTRODUCTION
Holistic development approach involves comprehending the growth of children by
those who revolve around them as part of their work. Those who work around them
need to understand their needs and the implication of their growth. This understanding
can be brought about by observing these children and being able to interpret the results
of the observation (Black ET al.2017, p.80). The United Nations has set articles that
relate to observation of the children. For example, article 12 states that children have a
say on what decisions adults make that affect them. Article 13 states that children can
receive information and give feedback given that the information in question does not
damage them. Article 16 states that children are given the right to privacy. There should
be no attack on their lives, homes and families. The entire observation should be fair,

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have relevant and fair information (Brinkman et al, 2012). The aim of the observations
is to be able to compare children`s abilities against the norms of children of that defined
age and also to explain the different chacteristics and unique features of his or her
surrounding that influence their development as well as their growth. This approach
addresses the intellectual, spiritual, physical and emotional aspects of a child`s life.
According to this approach, at different stages, children are able to learn various
different things.
There are various techniques used in the observation of children. For example,
there is the free description method. In this a specific task is set which is appropriate for
a certain age as well as the development of the given child. It is a description of the
unfolding events written in the present tense. This is for the one reading to appreciate
what has already happened. However, the disadvantage is that it does not usually
convey everything observed as it happens. It is also hard to keep up with what is
happening. There is also the checklist method. This helps assess the children on daily
basis which is on a particular day but it is a used for a long period of time. These
highlight the unnoticed parts of children`s development. The advantage of this
technique is that it presents adequate information quickly. The disadvantage is that for
objectivity to be maintained, care must be taken.
The observation is done on a child aged 5 years. The child is born in a family of
three. He is a male child. He happens to be the last born in a family of three. He has
both parents who are employed and they live in an estate where many families reside in
the outskirts of the city.

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METHODS
One is advised to use various methods to observe the development of a child.
This helps get adequate information in relation to their needs, skills, interests and their
abilities. This helps create a foundation on the assessment and planning of an individual
child. The many observations collected before planning help come up with a good
picture of the child (Johnson 2010, p.32).
The methods include:
 Anecdotal records
These are recorded in a sequence of events, written in past tense and after the
event has already occurred. It is focuses on the important details of an event. What a
child says, their direct quotes, facial expressions, the tone of their voice and their body
language are recorded. These are able to tell the skills, needs, interests, abilities and
the child`s development. This method was used when the child played with other
children in the estate playground or having conversations with his siblings (Kolb,2014)
 Running records
This record gives a story of a child`s character by giving details of words said by a
child in a certain period of given time. It gives a record of what is happening so it is
written in the present tense. A more detailed information on a child`s behavior during
certain situation is given. They help give reasons why a child is acting in a certain way
gives more information on various areas of development. Mostly the recording is done
in a specific time ranging from 2 to 5 minutes or for a longer time which could be an

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hour or more. This method was mainly done in the morning when the child got up from
bed and when having breakfast (Prince 2010, p.424)
 Learning stories or narrative method
This just focuses on decisions made by the children and the consequences of their
decisions. They give the experience of a child by narrating it. This observation was
made when the mother was involved in different activities in the house and the child
was there watching.
 Socio-grams
This is a map or a diagram that shows the friendships of a child or any interactions
with people. This used across many age groups and it reflects on a child`s social
interaction patterns. It shows a preference on the child’s decision on who to play with or
from whom to ask for assistance. They show whom the children choose to play with
most of the times or who they interact with. This was used when the family hosted
visitors at home or when the friends if the siblings came by.
In child holistic development, it is important to maintain confidentiality. Information is
only shared with specifics for health or safety concerns. Confidentiality helps build trust
hence building relationships between those observing, the parents and the child. Ethical
as well as legal responsibility protects the individuals` and families` privacy.
The ethical considerations made included privacy where the family other child under
observation was informed about the activity. The parents had to give consent. The
observation also considered the matter of rights for example, where the United Nations
protects the children`s rights of being heard, their interests and feelings being

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considered. The consent of the child if he was willing to be used for the observation was
used. Confidentiality was a key in the observation process.
RESULTS
Holistic development is a practical approach that helps take care of physical,
spiritual growth, emotional and social growth of a child in a comprehensive manner
(Bornstein et al.2012, p.20).
Milestones
 Physical development
In this milestone, children grow 4 inches each year. Their weight also increases by 5
pounds. Their eyesight gets better and so is their coordination (Short et al.2011, p.340).
In the observation, the TC plays hide and seek with other children in the estate. Before
the end of this year, they can control their movement like starting or stopping and
turning around. He can run and stop while playing the hide and seek (Henriksen et
al.2010, p.215). They can skip, throw balls, pedal a bike and jump over objects which
happen to be the gross motor skills. The TC is observed to be throwing balls when he
plays with his siblings and friends. The fine motor skills include writing letters, they can
stack a tower like 10 blocks of height, string beads to make necklaces and pinch clay to
shape a recognizable object. The TC plays by building stacks of blocks on the dining
table when everyone else is not around (Austin &Rust 2015, p.143).
 Language development