Observation procedures ECE standard 4 Objective 3 CDA

Observation procedures ECE standard 4 Objective 3 CDA goal #5

1. WHY OBSERVE? • (as defined) It serves as a clear goal for studying a specific behavior or ability. • It helps you to learn and understand children and better enable you to interact with and teach them. • Helps to identify how best to challenge and support the children. • They show growth and behavior patterns. • To develop realistic curriculum and goals.

Changes • What changes to your program, calendar, routines, curriculum, discipline methods, grouping of children, themes, etc…. can be done after having done an observation?

2. HOW TO OBSERVE

GUIDELINES for OBSERVING • • • Observing children means watching them carefully in different situations, with specific purposes in mind. This helps one to understand more about them and interacting with them. Take advantage of these opportunities to observe and learn about children to help you better know how to work with children in the future. Be open-minded; see the situation as it actually is, what the child actually does—not your interpretation of what he/she does. Record only actual happenings. Always believe the best of a child in all situations. Record the child’s name, sex, age, time, and location/activity on the observation sheet or your notes. Observe from a distance and stay in the background to avoid interfering with the areas of activity. Do not interfere with a child’s play by asking questions or trying to help him/her, or participating in the activities. Never laugh or give attention to a child. Laughing at a child invites showing off tactics. Avoid visiting with others when observing. Observations are done on an individual basis. You do not work together when doing observations. Not only does visiting keep you and others from completing the observations, but it also interrupts the teachers and the children. Homework, studying, use of your cell phone is not done while observing. Do not let anything distract you or others from observing. Taking pictures of the children with your own camera device is NOT allowed! Pictures for the final observation portfolio are to be taken with the school cameras. Be alert to give assistance in emergencies. All class discussions, information, and observations in reference to children are confidential. If you have questions about a child, ask the teachers.

• Be objective / descriptive! Objective observations simply state the solid facts. – It is important, but difficult, to remain objective at all times.

• Avoid being subjective / interpretive: Subjective observations state an opinion of the observer.

Decide which statement is the correct Objective observation:

• Tyler is a good boy and gets along well with the other Children. • Tyler was playing with the music blocks. When Carly & Josh asked to play, Tyler agreed and showed them how.

• Maddie wanted to swing but two others were already there. She picked up a rock and threw it at them. • Maddie got mad and threw a rock because she does not share well. Now complete the statements in the study guide. And one more thing…. .

Avoid subjective labels: Which statement is correct? • Tommy often acts out his Aggressive feelings. • Tommy is mean.

Avoid conclusions you are not qualified to make: Which statement is correct? • Billie can’t do anything by himself because he is the youngest in a large family and they do everything for him. • Billie needs to develop the ability to do things for himself.

Don’t compare children: They develop at different rates. Which statement is correct? • Tommy falls off his bike a lot. • Tommy must be slow. He does not ride his bike as well as the other children.

Observation Assignment • Sign up for a Preschool or older toddler who was NOT observed last quarter. • Complete 2 practice observations and turn them in today to be checked. – Anecdotal with a narrative conclusion – Time sample with a narrative conclusion