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This documentation tool helps the observer to understand the learning of the child because it shows the progression over time. It’s sort of like a step-to-step set up  with the table because each day has its own documentation written down about what was viewed and the meaning behind the observation. It helps the observer see how a child has improved or gotten worse in any given situation. All the information is organized which makes it easier to look over.

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My first impression about this ‘How to take a photo walk’ was confused because I just thought about how odd it sounded. This is because I was not knowledgeable about all the different angles and techniques that go into taking a photo, that can change the way you see it. Each perspective a photo is taken from, even the slightest change can make a difference in the observation made. I decided to use the Christmas decoration around my house for this observation because I think it is beautiful! I did this observation showing all the decoration throughout the house as I walked into the house, going upstairs into the living room where the tree is set up. From the website provided I learned to take pictures with my shadow or an object's shadow in it, in the collage there is a picture of my shadow against the wall as well as the Christmas tree with it’s shadow right behind. I decided to try something new which was taking a close up picture of an ornament on the tree, my reflection is visible on the ornament which i thought was cool and can be seen on the collage. That same photo as well shows different textures which is another lesson I got from the website, some of the ornaments have a glittery, rough texture and the other shown is shiny and smooth. A technique I have known for a while and used for this observation was taking a photo of the same object but just from different angles, heights, or views. So with the Christmas tree I tried my best to take a bird’s eye view, trying to get a picture from the top of the tree. I did this by standing up on the nearby couch and held my phone high while tilting it downwards to face the tree. I as well used the technique but in reverse so I took a photo of the Christmas tree but from the bottom looking up. How I did this was by laying on the floor near the bottom of the tree with my phone held as close as to the floor as possible and with my hands I tilted the phone looking upwards. These techniques can be helpful in observations later on, especially when working with young children and being able to show them how one object can look much different from different angles and perspectives.

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What I have learned about this child during this exercise is how determined young children can be. The young child I observed from the video provided is Maddy. Around my 7th observation, there was a basket placed on the floor where she wanted to put her 7th chair and with no hesitation she grabbed it and threw it out her way to place the chair there. This goes to show that Maddy is not affected much by obstacles that are placed in the way or may appear later on in the path. Maddy demonstrates well development of gross motor skills as she carries and lifts the chairs on top of the table after changing her mind for the arrangement of the chairs. Approximately around 5.5 minutes through the observation is when she started placing the chairs on the table, her other classmates as well helped in placing these chairs on the table. Maddy also demonstrates repeating a phrase she heard before, like “all aboard”. This was said around the 8th minute in the observation as all the children sat in the chairs, pretending they were on a train.

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I chose the playground that is right behind my house for this assignment because this was the closest and most convenient for me to use. In being completely honest after completing this checklist, I don’t think that this playground is as great as I always thought it was. I mean as a child I never paid attention to all these factors that make a difference for the health, safety, and interest of children. If it was a test checklist I think it wouldn’t pass and meet the safety requirements.  One of the elements of the playground checklist that was surprising to me was the fact that it asked if water play areas with water fountains were available, I have never really seen a playground with a water play area unless it was just a splash pad. Another element of the playground checklist that was surprising to me was the part where it asked if the playground supported constructive building, it’s surprising how learning can be imputed into playgrounds to add a more educational aspect to play. I have also never seen a playground with some sort of building aspect added to it for young children. Something I never paid attention to before but the checklist brought attention to is the fact that this outdoor playground has no fencing around it; this was surprising to me. Fencing can aid in preventing so much danger; like the busy streetway where cars are constantly driving on, less easier for anyone with harmful intentions to enter, etc. Another thing that surprised me is the fact that this playground is not suitable for all children, specifically young children. I say this because the equipment isn't safely secured, the metal bars on the playground and chains on the swings are rusty and easily cause blisters on the hands. The heights of the equipment are also very tall, young children are not able to reach these heights. It’s actually sad knowing that the playground I went to as a child doesn’t meet these general requirements and wouldn’t be safe for young children. My opinion of the ‘ultimate playground’ has now changed, I have more expectations than before.

Some elements of this play space that could be modified are the swing chains should be removed and replaced with newer ones, to prevent more rusting and blisters on hands when holding on. As well there is sand underneath the swings but a very minimal amount so I believe that lots more sand should be added on top of the current amount and some toys to play with in the sand. A fence should be added along the entire park with doors to secure it during hours that it is inaccessible, as well to keep young children safe from surrounding streetways. More outdoor equipment should be provided and a storage building should be built to keep these items in. As well I feel like the play environment should always be well maintained and taken care of, going along with this it should be changing every once in a while; whether it is adding more equipment or replacing something that is old. This playground is rarely being changed which is upsetting to see because many adults and children are always visiting. I think a little garden of flowers should be planted, this can be educational for children to learn more about different plants and as well adds a nice different scenery. A element that can be added to the checklist can be how often is the grass around that playground being cut and maintained, because if the grass is grown out long and not maintained it gives the park a sense of abandonedness; this can prevent people from visiting. Another element that can be added to the checklist would be how many people visit this park on a monthly basis, that way more can be added to it if there is always a large amount of people gathering at a time. Overall I believe lots of renovation should be done to this park in order for it to be more up to date with equipment and more accessible to younger children.

Wildwood Park

3939 Wildwood Dr, Windsor, ON

N8R 2L4