Keys to Effective Observation of Children

Observation is the key to understanding a child, his needs and development. Describe important information that you need to remember when observing in a classroom. In addition, explain different types of observation and their uses, as well as specific information that you need to gather when you make a general classroom observation.

“Observation, very general and wide-spread, has shown that small children are endowed with a special psychic nature. This shows us a new way of imparting education.” (Montessori)

When adult learners observing in a classroom, being objective and accurate is most important. Looking, listening, recording and thinking all require the need for objectivity and accuracy: not allowing preconceptions to influence what he or she have observed. For example, observer may have concerns that a child does not communicate very often, but keeping an open mind about this will mean observer is more likely to gather better evidence to either support or clear up your concerns. observer may find that although the child is often very quiet, she is using body language that is being ignored, that she communicates well with peers but not with adults or that certain activities or interactions seem to make communication easier or harder for her. Observations will also help observer recognize the child’s needs more accurately and to identify if there is any cause for concern. Each child’s emotional well-being has a very strong influence on the way the child develops, including their ability to learn, to communicate, their behavior, their curiosity and their ability to cope with new experiences. Moreover, the observer should try to be as unobtrusive as possible. This means the peer is an observer, not a participant in the class. Once the observer starts participating, the focus is no longer exclusively on observing the teaching and students’ responses to it. Finally, notes, forms, or reports should be completed promptly after the observation. The information gleaned from being in the class remains fresh for a limited amount of time. Details become increasingly difficult to remember when time lapses between observation and preparation of the feedback.

There are four important types of observation including running record, time sampling, event sampling and anecdotal.

A running record is often described as detailed observation as what occurred is what is written. Observers write exactly what is being seen in a specific period which is considered useful in tracking any changes of children and provides complete picture to observing a child. But, it is hard to write it all for observers and it can’t be achieved while teaching.

A time sampling is good for monitoring an incidence of frequent behavior as they provide information on what a child is doing at regular intervals. Although this method may miss some details, it is good to fairly look at child’s overall participation within learning environment, to observe entire development in a range of contexts by capturing them at various specific time intervals. Time samples are effective in in reducing a child's negative behavior by understanding why and when a particular is occurring during the day. For example, Tony hit Jim five times during outdoor playing, and Helen cried for three minutes when she was asked to wash her hands for lunch.

Event sampling is an observation of an event that has been defined in advance and what occurs before and following the event. Using this method helps to establish such things as is there a trigger, how often said behavior takes place and where such as within the type of environment. Event samples provide evidence to show whether incidents are continuing, escalating or have slowed or ceased, and teachers can work on solutions based on this pattern. However, the most significant drawback of event sampling is that it might detract from attention on rest of class. For example, Jack and Rose are eating a snack. Rose takes part of Jack’s cracker. Then Jack hits Rose, Rose calls to the teacher.

Anecdotal record which is the most common form used in children observation is basically a descriptive narrative record after the behavior occurs that captures the child engaging in play and the experience from begins to ends, and written in past tense.  The reason this one is the more common is because it’s a useful method to record events or actions based on the child’s strengths, interests, development and needs. When observing using an anecdotal method, record what the child had said and done, body language, direct quotes, body language, facial expressions and tone of voice. However, the disadvantages are obvious that the record might be biased by observer’s memory and lots of details would be forgotten.