1. Observing Children: A Tool for Assessment
Chapter 3

2. Vocabulary Terms Assessment Developmental milestones Anecdotal record
Checklist
Participation chart
Rating scale
Visual documentation
Portfolio

3. Quote
“Observation more than books, experience more than persons, are the prime educators.”
– Amos Bronson Alcott
What meaning does this quote have for you as you begin your study of the importance of observation in early childhood education?

4. Assessment
The process of observing, recording, and documenting children’s growth and behavior.
Comes from the Latin word meaning to sit beside and get to know.
To be an authentic assessment, observations must be done over time in play-based situations.
Most accurate
Assessment is not evaluating. Evaluation is the process of reviewing the information and finding value in it.

5. Why Assess? Inform teachers about children’s developmental needs
Used in planning developmentally appropriate curriculum
Provides information on each child’s unique needs, strengths and interests
Chart progress over time
Identify classroom and individual problems

6. When to Assess Initial assessment – when the school year starts
Ongoing assessments – individual children and group

7. Formal vs. Informal Observation
Formal include standardized tests and research instruments
Developmental milestones – characteristics and behaviors considered normal for children in specific age groups
Also called emerging competencies
Informal observations most often used by preschool teachers.
Samples of work, interviewing parents, talking with childrne

8. Choosing a Method What type of behavior do you want to assess?
Are you needing to assess an individual or group?
How much focused attention will the observer need?

9. Assessment Tools Anecdotal records Checklists Participation chart
Rating scales
Sample work

10. Anecdotal Records A brief narrative account of a specific incident
Simplest form of direct observation
Often used to develop an understanding of a child’s behavior
Must be objective!
Describe only observable actions

11. Anecdotal Records Once you observe, then you can interpret (the whys)
Advantages
Easiest method of observation
Running record over time
Disadvantages
A complete picture may not be provided
May miss important information

12. Checklists Designed to record the presence or absence of behaviors
Advantages
No time constraints
Quickly recorded
Easy to use
Disadvantages
Lack of detailed information
Only particular behaviors are noted

13. Participation Chart
Can be developed to gain information on specific aspects of children’s behavior

14. Rating Scales Planned to record something specific Make a judgment
Never, Sometimes, Usually, Always

15. Work Samples Artwork Stories Photographs Stored in a portfolio
Tracks progress over time

16. Visual Documentation
Collecting or photographing samples of a child’s work that portrays learning and development
Provides a record that can be studied

17. Portfolios
A collection of materials that show a person’s abilities, accomplishments and progress over time
Include more than observations
Art projects, audiotapes of conversations, child- dictated stories

18. Confidentiality
Do not discuss a child in a setting outside the classroom
Avoid using the child’s name (give a letter or #)
Leave personal items out of observation area (kids are curious!)
Engage in as little interaction as possible with staff, other observers and especially the children