Observing Young Children

1. Section 1.3 Observing Young Children

2. What is going on in this picture?

3. What is going on in this picture?

4. What is going on in this picture?

5. We learn more by observing than by reading. Observing allows you to see personalities. Why Observe Children?

6. subjective objective To rely on personal opinions and feelings, rather than facts, to judge an event. Something is factual, and leaves aside personal feelings and prejudices. • Separate fact from opinion. • Observations can be subjective or objective. How to Observe Young Children

8. Observation records should include: • date • time • number of children and adults present • names and ages ofall present How to Observe Young Children

9. Choose the correct type of observation record. Avoid interacting with the children unless necessary. Keep observations and interpretations confidential. How to Observe Young Children

10. Running Record • Record of everything observed for a set period, such as 15 minutes • Useful when getting to know the child or children • Good when concentrating on certain area of development • Anecdotal Record • Report of a child’s actions that concentrates on a specific behavior or area of development • Time is not limited Types of Observation Records

11. Frequency Count • Tally of how often a certain behavior occurs • Useful when trying to change an unwanted behavior • Baseline is a count made before any steps are taken to try and change behavior • Developmental Checklist • List of skills children should master or exhibit at a certain age • Observers can use checklist and simply check off the skills or behaviors they see Types of Observation Records

12. How to Observe Young Children Explain each of the following actions. Action Explanation Know your purpose. Before you begin, define the purpose of your observation. What are you supposed to observe? Note the physical features of the setting. Who is there? What activities are going on? Record the time and place. Identify the when, where, who, and what. Be descriptive. Use words and phrases to capture the moment. Give a picture of what you see.

13. How to Observe Young Children Explain each of the following actions. Action Explanation Make comparisons. Look for similarities and differences. Uncover the data. Record factual information, focus on the evidence at hand. At the end, read through your comments, make clarifications or corrections, and add any additional notes. Review and clarify.

14. The analysis an observer forms and expresses about what was observed is called an interpretation • When observing and recording information you must be objective • Interpretation is when you will form and express ideas about what you saw • Confidentiality is a must (protection of another person’s privacy by limiting access to personal information) • You may share your information only with the child’s parents or your child development teacher How to interpret Observations

15. What do you think a parent educator does? • Our society requires people to take courses or have training before they can perform many jobs • Should there by similar requirements to become a parent? • What kind of parents do you think would benefit most from the help of a parent educator Careers with children- Parent Educator

17. One of the main reasons for the decline in childhood deaths from disease is the development of vaccines. • Select and research two vaccines • Find out at what ages they are given to children • Research what diseases they will protect against • How do the vaccines work? • Do the vaccines have any side effects? • Record findings in a chart Research Childhood Vaccinations

18. Example