As a project for my Child Development class, I completed an observational child study. I chose a four year old male child of one of my co-workers, whom I had met several months prior to the study. Paxton was born on June 15, 2012 and was six weeks premature. Aside from the requirement of a feeding tube at birth, Paxton suffered no complications. At 30 pounds and 33 inches, he is in the 5th percentile in weight and the 25th percentile in height (Clinical Growth Charts, 2016). His height is likely due to familial short stature as his mother’s height falls a couple inches below the national average (Cloe, 2015). His pediatrician shows no real concern for his physical health or development. Upon my arrival for the observation, Paxton was
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His emotions tend to be maladaptive and aggressive, which have led to his need for behavioral therapy. He also takes a prescribed medication that helps him sleep and regulate his behavior. Knowing that he has stranger anxiety toward everyone not living in his home, dictated much of how my observational study was conducted. During either of my visits, Paxton infrequently smiled, and his smiles were never directed at me. His mother said he is not overly cheerful even when strangers are not present. He also lacks the ability to regulate his emotions. If he becomes frustrated, even if it is unfounded, he is quick to become angry, moody and even violent. His violence has been directed at family members living in the home, as well as, caregivers at daycare and church. He has been known to hit, pull hair, bite, topple shelves and throw chairs. The possibility for this sort of outburst is why I left the home during the first visit when he initially became frustrated.
I did observe him practicing a breathing technique he learned in behavior therapy. His mother saw the first signs of frustration and anxiety so she prompted him to blow on each finger. This reminds him to slow down and focus on the task of blowing on his fingers, thereby reducing the heightened emotional levels. It is possible that my prolonged presence and/or interactions with him during the first visit is what triggered his
His emotions tend to be maladaptive and aggressive, which have led to his need for behavioral therapy. He also takes a prescribed medication that helps him sleep and regulate his behavior. Knowing that he has stranger anxiety toward everyone not living in his home, dictated much of how my observational study was conducted. During either of my visits, Paxton infrequently smiled, and his smiles were never directed at me. His mother said he is not overly cheerful even when strangers are not present. He also lacks the ability to regulate his emotions. If he becomes frustrated, even if it is unfounded, he is quick to become angry, moody and even violent. His violence has been directed at family members living in the home, as well as, caregivers at daycare and church. He has been known to hit, pull hair, bite, topple shelves and throw chairs. The possibility for this sort of outburst is why I left the home during the first visit when he initially became frustrated.
I did observe him practicing a breathing technique he learned in behavior therapy. His mother saw the first signs of frustration and anxiety so she prompted him to blow on each finger. This reminds him to slow down and focus on the task of blowing on his fingers, thereby reducing the heightened emotional levels. It is possible that my prolonged presence and/or interactions with him during the first visit is what triggered his