Field Notes 3.docx - Field Notes 3 Jacob Toledo EDF 2130...

Field Notes 3
Jacob Toledo
EDF 2130
Ages 6-11
Date observed 10/16/18
Starting time 3:45 PM
I am at the public park that connects Greenwood middle school to Lake Mary high school
as well as the daycare and the library. I have lived in this area for many years so it makes sense
to conduct my observation hours here. Also this park has been a place for me to seek some peace
and quiet and get a good workout on the equipment so I have lots of familiarity with this place.
School just got out for the middle schoolers so I see a bunch of 6 th graders walking around with
their friends to get home as soon as possible. It is funny watching them walk because it reminds
me of when I was there age and did not know how to control my own body yet. Many of them
walk in zigzag patterns with their arms flailing all about. It’s almost as if you don’t gain real
motor control until you’re around 14 or 15. Many of the kid’s mothers and fathers meet them at
the park. Some of them stay in their cars and wait for their child. Others get out and walk with
their child to make sure they are safe. Most of the kids seem happy to see their parents again
after a long day of school. It makes me happy to see the smiles on the kids and parents faces as
they greet each other and ask how their days were. I continue with my workout so that it doesn’t
look like I’m just there to watch kids walk home from school. I do a few pullups on the bars and
some of the kids start to get closer to my general area. It seems that many children who are
younger than 12 seem to always want to prove themselves to their peers that they are tough.
When I hop off the bar a kid of about 10 years old jumps on and does two pullups before
dropping down. I start to laugh because once again it reminds me of when I was a similar age
trying to work out. Another hops on and busts out five pullups. Next a taller older looking boy
jumps up and does ten, then busts out another ten pushups. I am impressed with all of them and
happy that they wanted to work out their young bodies even though it is extremely hot outside. I
always believe that it is good to start light exercise at a young age and it makes me feel
somewhat responsible that these kids decided to start doing pullups because they saw me do
them.
4:00 PM
Most of the kids have made their way from the middle school to the park by now. Most
of these kids range between 10 and 12 years old and instead of going straight home they hang out

at the park for a little bit. I start to wonder if they are waiting for their parents to get off work or
if they just want to hang out with their friends after a long day of school. A lot of police officers
patrol this area so there are generally no trouble makers around here. Most of these kids seem
like good, sensible children and they don’t smoke or drink in public park property so that is nice
to see. One kid rolls up next to me on a skate board and yells something to me I can’t
comprehend while I’m doing pull-ups.