Being a Good Observer

Assessment: The process of observing, recording, and otherwise documenting the work which children do and when they do it, as a basis for educational decisions which effects those children.

When many people hear the word assessment, they probably think of standardized tests and the scores that accompany them. The current definition, however, encompasses much more.

Caregivers need to learn observational skills to understand the children in their care. OBSERVATION PROVIDES VALUABLE INFORMATION TO HELP PLAN ACTIVITIES TO MEET CHILDREN’S INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. By becoming skilled observers, caregivers will be able to create appropriate environments and activities for the children in their care.

Two ways of observing children:

• Anecdotal Record - a brief narrative account usually written after the event, describing an incident of a child’s behavior that is important to the observer.
• Running Record - narrative account written by the observer detailing everything that occurs over a certain period of time.

Additional Training:
A Simple Approach to Knowing the WAC's: Program Planning - 1.5 hours