Using Technology for Documentation of Dramatic Play Chapter 12 Using Technology for Documentation of Dramatic Play “Observations for assessment cannot be done occasionally because the novelty of being watched may change a child’s behavior.” ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

TECHNOLOGY Mechanical reproduction or storage of documentation such as: Audio recording: Conversations, speech/language Videotape: Physical and all other areas Digital video – Electronic storage and easy manipulation Photography – Still documentation of event Digital photography – Electronic storage, inexpensive printing Copiers, scanners: Electronic storage ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Uses of Technology for Documentation Advantages Capture details More objective than written descriptions Can be analyzed and used in a number of different ways Less time consuming than writing Disadvantages Equipment may be expensive Complicated Time consuming to learn and use May cause unnatural behavior in child May be against cultural values ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

TOPICS IN OBSERVATION Protecting the Rights of the Child PERMISSION NECESSARY BECAUSE: Religious or cultural taboos Reveals child identity in protective services cases Personal reasons of the family Child’s right to privacy ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

What to Do with It Individual works can be stored in each child’s folder or on a computer disc Display – Documentation panels showing process or evolution of a project Share with child and family Use as emergent curriculum ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

LOOKING AT DRAMATIC PLAY Necessary for mental/emotional health Involves all areas of development especially: Cognitive Social Language Dramatic Play – Imagination, role-taking, playing out real-life experiences ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

OBSERVING DRAMATIC PLAY Emotional – Sex role identification, self-esteem Social – Levels of play; solitary, parallel, associative, cooperative Physical – Self-help skills, large/small muscle development Cognitive – Social, physical, and logico-mathematical knowledge, problem solving Language – Functions of language, clarity of speech ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Helping All Children with Sociodramatic Play Cultural Differences Socioeconomic Differences Differing Abilities and Dramatic Play Helping Professions ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Standard Related to Dramatic Play McREL’s Content Knowledge: Theater Standard 2: Acting Skills Level PreK Creates and acts out roles of characters from familiar stories. Engages in both fantasy dramatic play and dramatic play that is based on real experiences. ©2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.