Young
Children
OBJECTIVE 3.01
Understand selection and use of observation methods.
Why observe?
Observing children helps us understand
children and their behavior.
Observation is an important part of
assessment.
A good teacher IS a good observer.
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A
man
and an
infant . . .
What do you see?
What do you think
the man sees?
Is the man a
parent?
A
caregiver? Or,
simply an observer?
Selection of Observation
Methods
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A-3.01 - Observing
Formal observations
More controlled conditions
Examples
Standardized tests
Research instruments
(surveys, questionnaires, etc.)
Characteristics
considered
normal for
children in
specific age
groups.
Informal Observations
Interviewing parents
Talking with children
Observing students in the classroom
Collecting student work samples
A-3.01 - Observing
Selecting an Observation
Method/Tool
Factors to consider:
Type of behavior you want to assess and
amount of detail needed
Whether information is needed for one
child or a group of children
Amount of attention required by the
observer
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Types of Observation
Records
SIMPLE records
Frequency count
Checklist
Rating scale
DETAILED
descriptions
Running record
Anecdotal record
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Use of Observation
Methods
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O
N
F
I
D
E
N
T
I
A
L
I
T
Y
X
A
M
P
L
E
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Integr
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ity
14
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X
A
M
P
L
E
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Sometimes
it may be
better to
observe
without
participating.
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Observing Objectively
The goal in
observing is to
be objective.
Objective =
reporting facts
Subjective =
opinions,
impressions
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Guidelines for
Recording Observations
Sign your name
Include date and beginning/ending times
List children and their ages/adults
present
Describe the setting
Record only what you see as soon as it
happens
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DETAILED
descriptions
Running record
Anecdotal record
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Frequency Count
A count of how
many times a
behavior occurs
during a specific
time period
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Checklist
Checkmarks beside a
list of behaviors or
information that is
being looked for
Could be a checklist of
child behaviors or of
conditions in a center
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How To
Use a
Checklist
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Rating Scale
An evaluation
of listed items
using either
words or
numbers as
ratings
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Running Record
A detailed, stepby-step written
record of what
happens during
a specified time
period
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Anecdotal Record
A detailed written
description about
a particular
incident
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To review . . .
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A good teacher is a
good observer.
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Observation in
Early Childhood Education
You will have opportunities during this course to do
each type of observation and to use each type of
observation record.
Your role in the internship sites will vary from nonparticipant to participant observer.
As you polish and practice your observation skills, you
will find that what you learn about the children you
work with and about children in general will be very
helpful as you grow and become an early childhood
professional.
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