1. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator CACHE LEVEL 3 CHILDCARE & EDUCATION Unit 7 Observation, assessment and planning © Hodder & Stoughton Limited

2. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator LO3 Understand observation methods in relation to current frameworks. AC 3.1 Explain observation and planning requirements in relation to current frameworks. AC 3.2 Evaluate observation methods: media/photographic/video/audio recorders snap shot/post-it narrative/written record check lists event sample time sample sociogram target child child tracker/movement record use of the above methods within Longitudinal Study. © Hodder & Stoughton Limited

3. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator Starter activity LO3 Understand observation methods in relation to current frameworks [AC 3.2] Time: 10 mins How many different observation techniques can you think of? Share these with a partner. © Hodder & Stoughton Limited

4. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator It is acknowledged as good practice that children are observed in a familiar environment. This is promoted by the EYFS which encourages observation based assessments (Section 2) and that observations are assessed using the ‘Development Matters’ scales or the EYFS profile. Current frameworks © Hodder & Stoughton Limited LO3 Understand observation methods in relation to current frameworks [AC 3.1]

5. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator Group activity Time: 15 mins In small groups: Research other scales that may support the observation of children in particular areas of development Summarise section 2 (2.1) of the EYFS to show what it recommends with regard to observations Share the information with the rest of the class. © Hodder & Stoughton Limited LO3 Understand observation methods in relation to current frameworks [AC 3.1]

6. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator There are many different techniques to use when observing children; you may use a particular technique to observe a child for a specific development need. Probably the most common observation technique used is narrative/written record. Practitioners need to be familiar with all of the techniques so you are know which will give best the information needed when observing a child. Evaluate different observation methods © Hodder & Stoughton Limited LO3 Understand observation methods in relation to current frameworks [AC 3.2]

7. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator Event Sample: these are used to record an event over a long period of time. Each time the event occurs it is recorded with the time, date and duration of the event. Often used to record behaviour of a child. Time Sample: the child is observed over a long period of time at intervals, for example the child may be observed every 10 minutes for 2 minutes from when they arrive until lunch time to see who they are playing with to determine the child’s social skills. Different observation methods © Hodder & Stoughton Limited LO3 Understand observation methods in relation to current frameworks [AC 3.2]

8. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator Sociogram: this type of observation looks at the social development of a child or group of children to indicate the child’s relationships within groups and friendship patterns. Narrative/written record: this is the most frequently used technique for observing and can be referred to as a written record; it is used to record naturally occurring or structured events. Different observation methods © Hodder & Stoughton Limited LO3 Understand observation methods in relation to current frameworks [AC 3.2]

9. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator Target Child: this observation technique focuses on one particular child over a period of time. The emphasis is on the activities the child participates in, social interaction and communication used. The observation uses pre-coded symbols and letters to denote what the child is doing at a particular time. Checklist: these observations can be completed on a child on a particular day and can be a snapshot for a particular area of development, for example physical development where the child will be observed and a tick put against a particular type of physical activity. Different observation methods © Hodder & Stoughton Limited LO3 Understand observation methods in relation to current frameworks [AC 3.2]

10. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator Child Tracker/Movement record: this technique can be used to observe an individual child or a group of children and shows how they move around a room within a setting; this determines how the child uses the setting and if they participate in all activities. Media/photographic/video/audio recorders: using these methods will enable instant records of the children, children can also be encouraged to record themselves using photos or videos. Different observation methods © Hodder & Stoughton Limited LO3 Understand observation methods in relation to current frameworks [AC 3.2]

11. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator Snap shot/post-it: this method will often be used when an unplanned observation Is carried out, practitioners may carry around stickers or post-its and this will enable them to write short comments on a child and add them to a profile at a later point. Using a variety of the methods identified in a longitudinal study will create an all-round picture of the child’s holistic development. Different observation methods © Hodder & Stoughton Limited LO3 Understand observation methods in relation to current frameworks [AC 3.2]

12. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator Pairs activity Time: 15 mins You will be given an observation technique. Discuss this technique with your partner and decide what the advantages and disadvantages are of this technique. © Hodder & Stoughton Limited LO3 Understand observation methods in relation to current frameworks [AC 3.2]

13. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator Classroom discussion activity Time: 15 mins Each pair should share what they decided were the disadvantages and advantages of the observation technique. Other learners should give their input. © Hodder & Stoughton Limited LO3 Understand observation methods in relation to current frameworks [AC 3.2]

14. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator Independent research activity Time: 10 mins Research when it may be appropriate to use the different observation techniques discussed. Say why each is suitable for this type of assessment/observation. © Hodder & Stoughton Limited LO3 Understand observation methods in relation to current frameworks [AC 3.2]

15. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator Extension activity Time: 15 mins Watch a video of a child and write an observation on them using one of the techniques discussed. © Hodder & Stoughton Limited LO3 Understand observation methods in relation to current frameworks [AC 3.1, 3.2]

16. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator In this lesson we: Have evaluated observation methods in relation to current frameworks. Have evaluated the following observation methods: Event Sample, Time Sample, Sociogram, Narrative/Free Description, Target Child Checklist, Child Tracker/Movement record, use of media and snapshot/post-it. © Hodder & Stoughton Limited

17. CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator 1.Name five different methods of observation. 2.For each of the methods identified, can you give an example of when it may be used? 3.Names scales that you can assess an observation against. © Hodder & Stoughton Limited