OBSERVATION AND ANALYSIS OF CHILD BEHAVIOR AND RELATIONAL DYNAMICS 2

Knowledge and Understanding

• Acquire familiarity with the categories and inquiry models used in the discipline by exploring key issues within currently prevalent observational methods.

Applied Knowledge and Understanding

• Connect theoretical and methodological content with observational and evaluation practice.

• Design an observational research design specifically for early childhood and childhood, isolating variables and defining the operational setting.

• Conduct source searches using national and international databases, as well as search for scientific articles in prestigious national and international journals.

• Manage self-evaluation processes.

Independent Judgment

• Critically evaluate the quality of observational data, recognizing and minimizing the main sources of error.

• Choose the most appropriate and effective observational and evaluation tool for a specific clinical, educational, or research objective.

Communication Skills

• Communicate and share the complexity and nuances of psychological issues associated with a specific approach.

•  Identify research findings and their potential scientific and methodological implications, including their impact on other disciplines.

The course is also designed to be English-friendly: based on needs, lessons may be held in English; teaching materials (slides, scientific articles, and any additional readings) will also be made available in English, and the exam can be taken in English upon request.

This course requires basic knowledge of developmental and educational psychology to better approach the study of the topic.

1. Observation of Infant Behavior: Methodological Foundations.

- Introduction to the Observation of Infant Behavior.

-The reference theories of the observational method.

-Who, what, and what to observe.

-The choice of units of analysis.

-Data collection.

-Observation tools: narrative descriptions, checklists, rating scales.

-Reliability and validity of the observational method.

2. Child Assessment: How to Assess Development and Different Data Collection Methods.

- Tools for Newborn Assessment.

-Childhood rating scales.

-The assessment of intelligence and language development.

-The neuropsychological evaluation of the child.

-The evaluation of the game.

-The assessment of family relationships.

3- The role of relational dynamics in development: analysis and observations from conception to the first years of life.

Agenda 2030 – Goal 4: Quality Education.

The course applies developmental psychology models in close synergy with the following Goal 4 targets:

Target 4.2 (Infant/Early Childhood Development): Analysis of neurobiological, cognitive, and affective factors in childhood to promote inclusive and stimulating care and education services.

Target 4.5 (Equality and Inclusion): Study of early signs of atypical development (e.g., ASD) and socio-environmental risk factors to ensure every child's right to learning.

Target 4.7 (Socio-emotional skills): In-depth study of relational dynamics aimed at promoting the development of empathy, theory of mind, and emotional regulation, which are central to global citizenship and the prevention of bullying.

Expected skills: Ability to design and evaluate care and learning environments that protect children's psychological well-being and developmental potential.

1.Baumgartner, E. (2019).  L'osservazione del comportamento infantile. Teorie e strumenti. Con aggiornamento online. Carocci.

2.Bonichini, S. (A cura di). (2024). La valutazione psicologica dello sviluppo. Metodi e strumenti (Nuova ed.). Carocci.

3. Sessa, P. et al., (2025). La voce materna, il feto, il neonato. Catania: Giuseppe Maimone Editore. 

The tools of observation.