Chapter 3 Observing Children A Tool for Assessment

Chapter 3 Observing Children: A Tool for Assessment

Please get out a piece of blank paper…. you may use your warm up page if you have one started for this week You need two columns, so draw a line in the center of the page Label one side peanut 1 Label the other side peanut 2 PEANUT 1 PEANUT 2

PEANUT #1 PEANUT 1: please describe the attributes of this peanut the best that you can: shape, color, texture, size, other attributes (does it bounce? Roll? Smell? How does it feel? ) what is unique about this peanut?

PEANUT #2 • Please answer the questions about peanut #2 • Take your peanut! • PEANUT 2: Please describe the attributes of this peanut the best that you can: shape, color, texture, size, other attributes (does it bounce? Roll? Smell? How does it feel? ) • what is unique about this peanut?

Assessment • Assessment: the process of observing, recording, and documenting children’s growth and behavior – Purposes of assessment: • gather information about social, emotional, and cognitive development • plan developmentally appropriate curriculum • keep the teachers and the curriculum responsive to the need of children

Assessment – When to do assessments • Initial assessment: at the beginning of the school year • Ongoing assessment: during classroom activities – Type of assessment • Formal: used to identify developmental milestones or characteristics considered normal for children in specific age • Informal: involves observing children in the classroom

Assessment Tools • There are several assessment tools that are used in early childhood programs. – Anecdotal records – Checklists – Participation chart – Rating scales – Collecting samples of children’s products

Anecdotal Records • Anecdotal records: brief narrative account of a specific incident – Objective observation – Interpretation of data – ACTIVITY

Did You Know… • The best way to observe young children is to sit in and try to blend into their environment.

Checklists • Checklist: tool to record the presence or absence of specific traits or behaviors – Advantages • No time constraints in collecting the data • Information can be quickly recorded • Easy to use – Disadvantages • Lack of detailed information

Participation Chart • Participation chart: tool developed to gain information on specific aspects of children’s behavior – Activity preferences – Sleeping patterns

Rating Scales • Rating scales: used to record the degree to which a quality or trait is present – Advantages • Easy to use – Disadvantages • Only fragments of actions are included • Observer needs a good understanding of the behavior being rated

Collecting Samples of Children’s Products • Collecting samples of children’s products can provide valuable information regarding the child development status and growth. • Stories • Artwork • Photographs • Records of conversations

Using Technology for Assessment • Technology is a useful tool for recording children’s development. – Videotapes – Audiotapes – Photographs

Visual Documentation • Visual documentation: collection or photographs of samples of a child’s work that shows learning and development – Artwork – Dramatic play – Building-block structures – Infant skills – Self-help skills

Portfolios • Portfolio: a collection of material that shows a person’s abilities, accomplishments, and progress over time – Art projects – Audiotapes – Parents’ questionnaires – Summaries of parent conferences

Guidelines for Observing Children • When studying young children, – keep information confidential – avoid items that may cause distractions – avoid talking to the children, other observers, and staff – observe the children and then make note of their behavior

Observation Etiquette • SEE HANDOUT