Reference no: EM132480712

Observation of Children at Play

SPS 01.01 SPS 01.02 SPS 11.01-04 SPS 53.0 SPS 54.0

NAEYC 1, 3

Description: Early Childhood professionals must be good observers. Observation is the most frequently used and most rewarding method of assessing children's growth, development, and learning. You will objectively record what you observe during a 15 minute observation of a preschool child.

Directions: You will be conducting a narrative observation of an individual child in a situation that is not teacher directed. Children should be engaged in free play inside the classroom; not in the playground. (Use initials or a fictitious first name to protect child's confidentiality) This is a detailed "running record" account of behavior recorded in a sequential manner as it happens. The observer sits or stands apart from the child, writing down all behaviors that occur(s) within a 15 minute period. Keep sentences short and abbreviate words to keep up with the action.

After you have recorded your narrative, read it again to make sure you have written an objective record of events, and spelled out any abbreviated words and sentences.

Write down your analysis; make sure to include the following:

1. How you would share the information gathered with the family and other professionals? (S3d)
2. How you will incorporate the use of child observations as you develop professionally? (S3b, S3d)