Observation notes.

ECED 103
Recognizing and stating a fact or occurrence often involving measurement with
instruments
A judgment on or inference from what one has observed
To watch carefully especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of
arriving at a judgment
Why observe children?
Document childs growth and development
Guide childs thinking and cognitive process
To diffuse problems
Assist child with dealing with emotional skills
To document childs progress
Encourage social skills
Determine language development (receptive, expressive)
To plan curriculum
Gain information about children
Understand how a child relates to other children
Discover childs needs and abilities
Monitor health
Accountability
Spontaneous or Planned Observation?
Spontaneous
As it happens, when it happens (parents want to know exactly what is happening and
when it happening so that they know you know their child)
As the children are playing and/or working
Natural reactions and behavior of children
Info can be lost if you on memory
Planned
Set aside time to observe
Plan to observe within specific developmental domain
While children are still involved in playnatural reactions
Document and share information with parents and specialist
For both types of observations
Plan to observe without a set event to observe
Set up environment for observation
Keep blank anecdotal records near each center (1 form per child on each clipboard)
Keep pencils handy
Ways to Observe
Observing for assessment
Not the same as testing
Process of gathering information on childs abilities
Ways to Assess
Observationsvarious types
Samples of childs work
Photos of childs work
Interviews with child
Testsformal, checklist, etc.
Observing to Plan Curriculum
Observing gives you a point of referencea place to start planning curriculum or a
baseline of capabilities or abilities
January through Aril-June are major growth periods of young children
Starting Point tells you
Baseline development level of the child
Types and amounts of materials to include
Room arrangement
We Learn from Observations
Likes and dislikes
Developmental abilities
Interests and passions
How the child understands or constructs knowledge
Causes of behavior
How the child works and makes decisions
Personalities of the child
How to write anecdotal notes
Keep out all opinions like: He likes to play with the play dough. She is pretty.
Instead of saying Sam likes play dough. Say, Same worked with the play dough
for 25 minutes. While working with the play dough, Sam had a smile on his face.
While working with the play dough, Sam said I love play dough.
Include only the facts
Describe exactly what the child did or said in quotes
Leave interpretation to the reader.
Keep it short and to the point.
Cover as many developmental domain areas are coveredsocial, physical, language,
cognitive
Points to keep in mind
Record daily
Record something for each child at least 2-3 times per week
Be sure to cover all developmental areas for each child