Observation Skills Chapter 7 Growth Development Why Observe

Observation Skills Chapter 7 Growth & Development

Why Observe Children? › Helps care providers learn about each child’s abilities, interests, and level of development › Determines whether a child needs special services (speech therapy, counseling, or gifted programs). › Helps care providers respond to problem behaviors. › Learning experiences are planned based on children’s observed play, interests, and abilities.

Why Observe Children? › Parents and providers want to know how children are progressing in their development. › Determines if all program goals are being met effectively and efficiently. › Gain a deeper understanding of children from firsthand observation.

Observer Conduct Goal is to see what would naturally happen if you were not present. › ›

Ethics & Confidentiality ALL observation records must remain ______ Use ______ names or ______ to identify children who have been observed.

Making Objective Observations Keep ______ separate from personal opinions, preferences, or bias. ______ observations › Record ______ rather than personal opinion or bias. › Example: “Shannon walked into the room with her head held down. She was dragging her sweater on the ground behind her. ” ______ Observations › Observation based on ______ judgments › Example: “ Shannon was depressed as she came into the room. ”

Avoid making assumptions: which statement is correct?

Avoid labels: Which statement is correct?

Making Objective Observations Record only what you ______ see happen, not what you ______ about ______. DO NOT record that a child ______ another unless you ______ saw it happen. Recorded observations should include the following: › ______ so that others will know who made the observation › ______ and the ______ and ______ time. › A list of ___________ involved and their ages. › ______ and brief ______ of the setting › Specific ______ and ______ in the order they happen.

Avoid conclusions you are not qualified to make:

Don’t compare children: They develop at different rates. Which statement is correct?

Observation Styles ______ Observations › Observer ______ children and records their ______ behaviors as they occur.

Decide which statements about the following children are Subjective and which are Objective:

Mark looks away when the teacher showed him a snake. Her said, “I don’t like snakes, they feel funny. ” Mark was afraid because he said he didn’t like snakes.

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.

Observation Methods Method you choose depends on your ______ for ______ Record › Written description that ______ on a ______ incident. › Use to see how a child ______ with classroom materials and how his or her development is ______ by these experiences. › Record includes, ______ and ______ the incident took place, who was ______ , and what was ______ and ______.

Anecdotal Record Example Date: 9/23 Time: 11: 15 a. m. Setting: Dramatic Play Center Observed by: Leah Child: Courtney Age: 4 Observation: After Courtney played alone in the dramatic play center, she stared to leave. All of the dress-up clothes she had used were on the floor. When reminded of the rule for putting things away, Courtney walked away. After a second reminder, Courtney said, “I don’t have to. ” Miss Winn responded, “You’ll miss out on snack time. When you pick up the clothes, you can join us. ”

Observation Methods ______ Record › Observer creates a ______ record of ______ that happens during a ______ period of time. › The time period may be as short as ______ minutes or may last ______.

Observation Methods ___________ Record of how many ______ a particular ______ or ___________ during a ______ period of time. › ______ sheet is used for recording information. › Repeating this type of observation at a later date can help you see whether the behavior is occurring more or less often than before.

Observation Methods ______ › › Looks at ______ or ______ that children are expected to develop.

Observation Methods ___________ Observer records a ______ or ______ evaluation of listed items. › Items focus on children’s ______ or ______. › Observer might rate a child’s skill in performing a certain task on a scale ______