Classroom management will appear very different in a daycare or preschool setting compared to a K–3 setting. For example, daycare and preschool settings highly encourage social play and exploration. That’s not to say that K–3 settings don’t offer those options, but these grades usually incorporate more academic and structured learning.

Source and schedule observations of 2 early childhood education programs that meet the following criteria:

1 observation must be in an early childhood setting that serves children from birth through preschool, such as Head Start, a Montessori school, a licensed daycare, or a preschool facility.

1 observation must be in an early childhood setting that serves children in kindergarten through grade 3.

Ensure each observation:

Is at least 1 hour in duration

• Includes an indoor and outdoor play setting, if possible
• Submit your observation locations to your instructor for approval by Week 3.

Use the Observation Chart to guide and document your observations.

Write a 525- to 700-word reflection paper that compares each observation and provides the following information:

Describe each setting. Include the type of setting, the grade or age level, the classroom demographics, and the philosophy, model, or approach the school/program follows.

• Describe the classroom organization at each observation and determine how it impacted classroom management and promoted physical, social, and cognitive development.
• Describe the student engagement or non-engagement at each observation and determine what factors contributed to that. Include any evidence of efforts made to help engage the students.

Describe the classroom expectations and interactions at each observation and determine whether they were clear and developmentally appropriate. Provide examples of evidence of positive reinforcement, mutual respect, and positive interactions between the children and the teacher.

Describe the schedule, transitions, and routines at each observation. Determine whether the schedules were developmentally appropriate, and whether or not the routine activities and transition practices between activities were effective.

Summarize any insight gained from these observations and identify if there was anything surprising to you about either of the observations. Explain how you will apply it to your future role as a teacher.