Early Childhood Education Classroom Observation Report, EDUC 136

This report presents a classroom observation of an early childhood education setting, focusing on various aspects of teaching and classroom management. The observation includes an analysis of the teacher's questioning style, highlighting the use of open-ended questions to encourage student engagement. It also examines the implementation of Vygotsky's theory of scaffolding and Bandura's social cognitive theory, providing examples of how these theories are applied in the classroom to enhance learning. The report further describes a circle time activity, assessing its developmental appropriateness based on a grading rubric. The classroom's physical arrangement is mapped and analyzed, with suggestions for improvements. Additionally, the report discusses the management of interest areas, the use of weekly schedules and lesson plans, and the incorporation of research-based instruction. The author reflects on the significance of teaching strategies, classroom arrangement, and student engagement in fostering a positive learning environment and outlines how the observations will inform their own teaching practices. References to supporting articles are also included.

Running head: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION – CLASSROOM1
Early Childhood Education- Classroom
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Date

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION -CLASSROOM2
Early Childhood Education- Classroom
Section #3
Introduction
The class I am observing has a total of 18 students and a single teacher. Most of the
students are of the black race and the teacher is of African descent. Throughout the teaching
process, the students are actively engaged in the learning process and most of them seem to be
optimally following through the class session (Wakefield, 2010). The teacher was expressing
herself in an enthusiastic tone which helped in capturing the attention of the children.
12. Questioning Style
The teacher is successfully involving all her students and getting them to actively
participate. She mostly uses open-ended questions which enhance the level of engagement of her
students by encouraging response. Some of the examples of the questions she uses are; ‘what’s
your favorite stuffed animal at home? – to demonstrate that what is special to one student may be
different to the other. Also, she asks one of the students if he would mind explaining to the class
the meaning of struggle.
13. Teaching Strategies
The teacher successfully uses the Vygotsky’s theory of scaffolding as a teaching
approach in assisting the children to achieve their goals and be independent in the understanding
of the reading materials (Naz & Murad, 2017). She does that by introducing a topic, showing the
children how to solve certain situational problems then gives them a chance to further solve
problems relating to the reading material. During the learning process, the Bandura Social
Cognitive Theory is used in the promotion of students learning as they learn from each other as
they engage in class. One example of this situation is when students voluntarily lift their arms in

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION -CLASSROOM3
class as a sign of wanting to participate in the discussion simply because the others around the
classroom are doing the same.
14. Circle Time Activity
One of the circle time activity can be observed when the teacher asks Angeline to answer
a question and she applauds her publicly by telling the class that she likes her line of thought and
the class responds, ‘we think it’s great’ in unison. This activityisdevelopmentally appropriate as
per the Grading Rubric since it engages the social and cognitive abilities of the children which
helps in honing their skills which will be required in their subsequent educational and general
life milestones.
15. Room Arrangement
The arrangement of the room being used by the teacher and her students is center based
with an average of 4 students per group. The teacher’s desk and the bookshelf are aligned to the
right of the classroom to allow for every student to comfortably listen and follow the lessons
without difficulty. If I would make two improvements in the room, I would eliminate the desks
without students to create more room and also create structures that allow more natural light into
the room.
16. Interest Areas
Management of interest areas in teaching set-ups is important for enhancing the growth
and development of the children. The interest areas are mostly made up of wooden and glass
materials and they are used indoors for displaying and storing learning materials. When used
outdoors, they are mainly used for display and basic functionality. To improve the functionality
and efficiency of the interest areas, I would mainly refurbish the equipment and update them
with the relevant materials in alignment to the theme – both indoors and outdoors.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION -CLASSROOM4
17. Weekly Schedules and Lesson Plans
If I were to be use the Preschool Lesson Plan Project as a substitute teacher, it would
sufficiently enable me to accomplish my goals for each lesson (Template. Net, 2019). The lesson
plan incorporates different categories of activities surrounding one topic and it also targets the
similar objectives as the ones I have for my prospective class. I would only add some other few
activities for the circle time activities to enhance engagement and help in boosting their social
skills and engagement in class.
18. Research-based Instruction
In the two articles attached, there are different teaching approaches that have been
discussed mainly involving the use of innovative practices and teaching materials. The articles
have discussed in-depth the most appropriate techniques to be employed for best effect. I would
like to incorporate flexibility and the use of innovative methods and technology for teaching my
students to impart them with the necessary skills (Serdyukov, 2017).
19. Reflection
Teaching strategies, classroom arrangement and the level of teacher-student and student-
student engagement are some of the most significant factors in the successful operation of
childhood education classroom. The three factors mentioned above are vital in the promotion of
growth and development of the child while improving their skills in understanding, reasoning
and socializing. This assignment will help me in applying similar techniques in my teaching
sessions and also in the management of the classroom environment for better teaching results.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION -CLASSROOM5
References
Naz, F. & Murad, H. S. (2017). Innovative Teaching Has a Positive Impact on the Performance
of Diverse Students. Special Collection – Student Diversity. Retrieved from,
https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244017734022
Serdyukov, P. (2017). Innovation in Education: What Works, What Doesn’t, And What to Do
About It? Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning. Retrieved from,
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JRIT-10-2016-0007/full/html
Template. Net. (2019). 22+ Preschool Lesson Plan Templates – DOC, PDF, Excel. Template.
Net. Retrieved, https://www.template.net/business/plan-templates/preschool-lesson-plan-
template/
Wakefield, S. (2010, October 12). Classroom Observation Part 1. [Video file]. Retrieved from,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAz7TD02ytU