Observing Children: A Tool for Assessment Chapter 3 Observing Children: A Tool for Assessment

Observing Children: A Tool for Assessment In this chapter, you will learn about assessment assessment tools using technology for assessment portfolios guidelines for observing children sc.essortment.com/observingchil_rlir.htm www.eac.edu/Academics/wids/ECD121A.pdf

Objectives List purposes of assessment. Contrast initial and ongoing assessment. List the factors to consider in choosing a method of assessment. List the advantages and disadvantages of various assessment tools. Compile a list of contents for a child’s portfolio. Summarize guidelines for observing children.

Terms to Know assessment developmental norm anecdotal record checklist participation chart rating scale portfolio

Assessment Assessment: the process of observing, recording, and documenting children’s growth and behavior Purposes of assessment: gather information about social, emotional, and cognitive development plan developmentally appropriate curriculum keep the teachers and the curriculum responsive to the need of children

Assessment When to do assessments Type of assessment Initial assessment: at the beginning of the school year Ongoing assessment: during classroom activities Type of assessment Formal: used to identify developmental norms or characteristics considered normal for children in specific age Informal: involves observing children in the classroom

Assessment Choosing a method of assessment type of behavior and amount of detail to be assessed audience, one child or the entire group amount of focused attention required by the observer

Brainstorm Why is it important to do initial assessment and ongoing assessment of the children?

Assessment Tools There are several assessment tools that are used in early childhood programs. Anecdotal records Checklists Participation chart Rating scales Collecting samples of children’s products

Anecdotal Records Anecdotal records: brief narrative account of a specific incident Objective observation Interpretation of data

Did You Know… The best way to observe young children is to sit in and try to blend into their environment.

Checklists Checklist: tool to record the presence or absence of specific traits or behaviors Advantages No time constraints in collecting the data Information can be quickly recorded Easy to use Disadvantages Lack of detailed information

Participation Chart Participation chart: tool developed to gain information on specific aspects of children’s behavior Activity preferences Sleeping patterns

Rating Scales Rating scales: used to record the degree to which a quality or trait is present Advantages Easy to use Disadvantages Only fragments of actions are included Observer needs a good understanding of the behavior being rated

Collecting Samples of Children’s Products Collecting samples of children’s products can provide valuable information regarding the child development status and growth. Stories Artwork Photographs Records of conversations

Reflect If you were working in an early childhood program, which method(s) of assessment would you use? Why?

Using Technology for Assessment Technology is a useful tool for recording children’s development. Videotapes Audiotapes Photographs

Discuss What type of activities can you capture in a videotape? What assessment data can you extract from such activities?

Portfolios Portfolio: a collection of material that shows a person’s abilities, accomplishments, and progress over time Art projects Audiotapes Parents’ questionnaires Summaries of parent conferences

Discuss Provide examples of some types of work that can be included in a child’s portfolio.

Guidelines for Observing Children When studying young children, keep information confidential avoid items that may cause distractions avoid talking to the children observe the children and then make note of their behavior

Reflect What are some strategies you can use to keep information confidential?

Summary Assessment is the process of observing, recording, and documenting children’s growth and development in order to make decisions about their education. The primary purpose of assessment is to plan developmentally appropriate curriculum. Most assessment methods involves observing children.

Summary There are several assessment tools that are used in early childhood programs: anecdotal records checklists participation charts rating scales samples of products tape recordings