Holistic Biographical Narrative of a Child Essay Example

The observer reassured Sarah's mother, advising her not to feel ashamed or uneasy about engaging in conversation with her daughter.

Sarah's physical development is progressing well. Her vision has improved, allowing her to focus clearly on objects and people in her surroundings. Similarly, her hearing has become more accurate, enabling her to recognize voices, including those of her parents, as well as familiar sounds like the radio or visitors in her home. Sarah is also starting to use her hands to communicate, often squeezing them when she cries. While she is able to keep her hands open most of the time and is learning to pick up toys, she still faces challenges in effectively grasping objects. Sarah's mother supports her development by letting her grab her hand and occasionally reducing its weight when pulled away.

According to Sarah's mother, Sarah has developed significantly since birth, with her muscles in her neck, hands, and body being considerably stronger. However, she still requires support and appropriate handling while crawling and standing. Sarah particularly enjoys straightening her legs to stand briefly.

During bath time, Sarah was given the opportunity to play without a nappy, which she enjoyed because it allowed her to extend her legs. The mother observed that this playtime had a positive impact on Sarah's growth and movement for her age. Sarah became more interested in play and music, particularly enjoying rattles and watching simple pop-up puppets. The observation also revealed that Sarah liked soft books with different noises and by the end of the second observation, she played finger games with her mother. Her mother encouraged her to grab small soft toys, especially those on the carpet floor.

Despite being sensitive, Sarah was able to interact well with other children and she learned that pressing a button can make a chicken pop-up.

Sarah developed the concept of accommodation based on her past experiences. Accommodation occurs when children realize that their existing schemas do not match what they perceive. For instance, Sarah formed a schema that all red beakers contain orange juice after drinking orange juice from a red beaker. However, when she encountered a red beaker filled with milk, she acquired new information that contradicted her previous schema. Ultimately, Sarah will learn that beakers can hold different drinks and come in various colors.

During a conversation with Sarah's mother, it was mentioned that children initially lack an understanding of the world and learn through their senses. Therefore, if they cannot see an object, they believe it ceases to exist. Nevertheless, at an early stage, they begin to grasp the idea of object permanence. When presented with an object and then hidden from view, they actively search for it or express distress. Sarah's mother also explained that Sarah perceives the world egocentrically; she predominantly sees things from her own perspective.

Sarah's mother explained that children's lack of understanding about objects and their whereabouts doesn't mean they are selfish. She believes that children view objects and animals in the same way, with similar emotions. She also noted that her daughter communicates through activities and play. The concept of children going through stages of development has had a significant impact, but there are three main criticisms. It is challenging to determine milestones for cognitive development because it depends on each child's experiences and unique patterns of development. Additionally, there

are tools available to aid children's coordination development.

A key aspect of the thinking process is the ability to classify, store, and retrieve information, making activities that foster these skills particularly valuable for children. One important factor that influenced Sarah's development was her social-economic and cultural background. Raised by parents from different races and cultures, this upbringing presented unique challenges. Sarah's mother provided valuable insights into her daily routine, including bathing, feeding, playtime, and bedtime, as well as the shared responsibility between herself and her husband in caring for Sarah. Additionally, the physical space where Sarah plays and creates a mess while crawling and playing every day deserves special attention.