Unit III: Observing Children: A Tool for Assessment

Assessment – the process of observing, recording, and documenting children’s growth and behavior Purposes of Assessment: Helps you find out where children are in their development so that she can plan a developmentally appropriate curriculum and set up a stimulating environment Helps you gain insights into children’s learning styles and needs

Helps you identify individual problems Ex – special needs – hearing or vision impairment, emotional or behavior problem Helps you identify classroom problems Ex – pushing and pulling in dramatic play area – see need to limit number of children in the area at one time Is useful during parent conferences Is useful in evaluating your program

When to Do Assessments: Initial assessment – done at the beginning of the year to determine where child is in their development On-going assessment – done throughout the year to see how child is progressing ( should see evidence of learning and maturation )

Formal and Informal Observation Formal – includes standardized tests and research instruments Developmental norms and milestones- characteristics and behaviors considered normal for children in specific age groups based on the results of formal research requires specialized training for recording, analyzing, and interpreting data 2. Informal – observing child in classroom, collecting samples of child’s work, interviewing parents, and talking with the child

Formal or Informal Assessment?

Considerations for Choosing a Method of Assessment: What type of behavior do you want to assess and how much detail you need? Do you need information on one child or the entire group? How much focused attention will be required of the observer? Teachers often use a variety of methods for gathering information because it reduces the possibility of error when making evaluations.

II. Assessment Tools Anecdotal records – a brief narrative account of a specific incident Must be an objective statement – Describe only observable actions – no motives, attitudes, or feelings of the child are included The recorded information must be nonevaluative- no labels, judgements, or conclusions

Once narrative data is recorded, the data is interpreted – explain the observed behavior and give it meaning Each person who interprets a child’s behavior may determine different motives for the behavior based on their own personal experiences In order to determine which interpretation is accurate, child must be observed on several occasions over a period of time

Advantages of Anecdotal Records: Easiest method that does not require a special setting or timeframe Can provide a running record over time showing a child’s growth and development 4. Disadvantages of Anecdotal Records: Records may not be accurate if written down later in the day The incident observed is based on the observer’s interest

Anecdotal Record

B. Checklist – record the presence or absence of specific traits or behaviors May be designed for any developmental domain- physical, social, emotional, or cognitive Can purchase commercially prepared checklists or make your own

3. Advantages of Checklists: Easy to use and efficient - Helpful when observing many different items - Can be used at any time during program hours Data is easy to analyze 4. Disadvantages of Checklists: - Lack of detailed information - Important aspects of behavior may be missed Ex- how a behavior is performed or for how long

Checklist

Checklist

C. Participation Chart – used to gather information on specific aspects of a child’s behavior Ex- activity preferences during self-selected play D. Rating Scale – record the degree to which a quality or trait is present. Requires you to make a judgement about behavior Advantages of a Rating Scale: Easy to use and require little time to complete

Participation Chart

Rating Scale

3. Disadvantages of Rating Scale: Only fragments of actions are included E. Collecting Samples of Children’s Products- artwork, written, or dictated stories, photographs, records of conversations 1. Over time can indicate child’s developmental status and growth

III. Using Technology for Assessment: Videotapes – be careful not to be intrusive Audiotapes Digital Camera IV. Portfolio – a collection of materials that show a person’s abilities, accomplishments, and progress over time

Contents: Anecdotal records, checklists, questionnaires Product samples – artwork, audiotapes of conversations, child-dictated stories Summaries of parent conferences V. Guidelines for Observing Children: Information you collect should be confidential Your own personal belongings should not be brought into the classroom because they are an unnecessary distraction

During your observing time, avoid talking to the children, other observers, or the staff Make notes of your observations and discuss with other class members in order to understand children better