Observation in childcare settings is the method of watching, listening, documenting and analysing children as they explore, play and learn. Monitoring children’s physical actions, expressions, gestures and behaviours, and listening to them talking and interacting with others will show how they are developing, their likes and dislikes and how they learn through their play and interactions. It also reveals more about the child as an individual, and how they interact with other children and adults. Show Why is Observation Important in a Childcare Setting?By observing children as they explore, play and learn, practitioners can ensure that a child’s development is at the expected stage, whether the environment and resources (toys or equipment) are stimulating their development, and what future support the child will need in order to gain new interests, skills and knowledge. Observation is also a long-term process: consistent monitoring and reviewing documented observations to make sure children are at the expected stage of development. If there is an issue, observation quickly identifies the area or areas the child is struggling with, so you are able to address these issues and ensure the child is getting suitable support. Categories or key areas of learning that observations are usually separated into are:
There can be additional areas that you observe and monitor, particularly if a child is struggling or excelling in this field. The main objective of observation is to provide practitioners with accurate information in order to plan suitable lessons that meet the child’s needs, and to continually improve their learning and development whilst in your care. When do Practitioners Observe?Practitioners should constantly be observing children to keep a detailed and up-to-date record of each child’s development throughout the day. It is also important to recognise that observations from other team members and parents/guardians should be included in documentation, as children will have different relationships with different adults. These perspectives will offer alternative and individual views to obtain a complete representation of the child’s behaviour and development. The most in-depth records obtain observations for each child in different contexts and situations, such as inside and outside, in the nursery and at home, with other children and by themselves, during play and during meal time. There are different types of observation, including:
In your childcare setting, you should organise the opportunity to carry out different types of observation methods to provide suitable and in-depth observations of children in different scenarios. This allows practitioners to examine and identify the child’s identity, such as their learning style, dynamic and relationships with other children, their interests, and their mannerisms or certain behaviours. How to Document ObservationsThe process of observation also includes documenting and monitoring these results. The more observations documented, the more in-depth analysis and monitoring of the child can be achieved. Observations should always document what a child has achieved, and not what they are unable to do. Reasons to document observations and assessments of a child include:
Good observations should be accurate and factual, and should have as much detail as possible about what you saw and heard. They should be noted down at the time and continually throughout the day, rather than trying to remember an event at the end of your working day, as you may forget certain details. The format of documented observations also include sections on:
There are also different, more in-depth narrative techniques for documenting observations. These offer the opportunity for childcare practitioners to reflect upon the observations. These include:
Observations can be written down on paper or typed up on electronic devices. There are also apps now, that have been designed to assist childcare practitioners with their observation documentation. It doesn’t matter which method you use and works for your nursery, as long as it is organised, accurate and up-to-date. You can also include pictures of the child to clearly document certain events, which is something that parents/guardians often appreciate having. Also, work samples of the child’s drawings and art projects, writing and other creative activities, with notes on how the child carried out the task, including anything they said. This process of observation and all of the documented information is then added to a child’s file, which will be reviewed and analysed over time to make meaningful observations about the child’s development. What are the 4 types of observation?What are the 4 types of observation in sociology? The 4 main types of observation in sociology are participant observation, non-participant observation, covert observation, and overt observation.
What are the different types of observations in childcare?Here are some different types of observation methods that will help the needs of early childhood development:. Anecdotal records. This method involves factual accounts of events that have taken place. ... . Running records. ... . Time samples. ... . Jottings. ... . Work samples. ... . Photographs.. What are the 4 tools for observation?The Power of Field Research: 4 Observation Tools and How to Use Them. Observational studies. The top left quadrant brings us to observational studies. ... . A/B testing. The top right quadrant focuses on quantitative data that assesses learners' behaviors. ... . Interviews & focus groups. ... . Surveys.. What are the types of observation in early years?There are seven different Early Years observation methods that can be used when recording children's development.. Narrative Observations.. Group Observations.. Snapshots.. Photo Observations.. Early learning Goal (ELG) Observations.. Parental or Home-Based Observations.. The Leuven Scale.. |