Why observations are important in childcare

What are the types of documentation? Written observations with language samples. Example: Bobby is building with the blocks. He is stacking all the square blocks and then topping off with a triangular block. What do educators track? The primary areas of focuses are on: Cognitive development Physical development Social development Emotional development Language and literacy development Depending on the style of teaching or curriculum there may be other areas of focus but these will always be key areas of focus.

July 30, at am. Cyndi says:. August 29, at pm. October 15, at am. Dorna says:. December 11, at pm. Diane says:. January 2, at pm. Elestina says:. March 10, at pm. Meera says:. April 1, at am. Zoleka says:. June 23, at pm. Lady Dee says:. June 30, at pm. Ehiemere Francisca Ifeoma says:. July 15, at am. Evans says:. July 28, at am. Amoung says:. Observations can take place during every day routines, as the child interacts with peers, activities and materials or during a spontaneous event.

Before observing a child there has to be a main reason for doing so. Is the purpose of the observation to:. No two people will see the same child in identical ways. Two open and honest educators can be asked to observe the same child.

What they see and interpret will depend on what they decide to look for and their own particular perspectives. Martin, S Take A Look, During an observation the main idea is to look and watch the child being observed.

You should pay particular attention to what the child is doing, their interactions with other children and what they are saying. Begin writing down a description of what the child actually does and say. Grace sat down next to her friend in block area. She helped her friend by stacking blocks side by side. Grace continued stacking the blocks.

Once the observation has been documented, you will need to interpret the observation you have written. This can be done in the Analysis of Learning. When writing the analysis of learning you will need to first identify an outcome that the child has achieved during the observation.

Once you have identified the outcome, you can use what you have written in the observation as evidence and link it to the outcome which you have identified. You can start off the analysis using:. Use the sub outcomes within the EYLF to help you add to the analysis based on what you observed.

To do this, choose the relevant EYLF sub outcomes. Also include evidence from your observation to tie it all in together. Through this observation, it is evident that Grace engages in and contributes to shared play experiences — Grace helped her friend stacking blocks side by side 1.

The next step is to think of a follow up experience that the child can participate in to further extend upon their learning, or to practice a skill, or to develop an interest. Put ideas into practice to enhance learning and relationships. Verify questions and concerns about a child. Talk to families and staff about him.

Follow up if development or behavior is not typical. Be aware of the quality of interactions with each child. Step back and consider how and why you and other staff interact with her. Do all interactions nurture relationships and learning? Make tweaks , or small changes, while observing and afterwards. Use information from observations to inform program practices and policies. Take a broad look at how the program supports all children and learning.

Use the information for CQI plans. Make observation an ongoing practice, a part of all interactions and activities, and watch for small changes and individual traits.

Ongoing observation offers a chance to be proactive, to prevent problems. Take notes , either during activities or shortly afterwards. Notes also make it easier to identify patterns and growth. Interaction, relationships, and connections offer the deepest support to learning.

Observation connects many pieces of information to give ECE professionals a better picture of each child. Observation is an ongoing, integral part of a quality ECE program, and professionals play an important part. Download this article as a PDF.