1. Unit 11 Use observation, assessment and planning

2. Learning Outcomes
LO1 Understand the role of observation when working with children.
AC 1.1 Explain how observations are used:
To plan for individual children’s needs
For early intervention
To review the environment
During transition
When working in partnership.

3. On your own…….

4. How observant are you? Lets look at the following illusions!

15. 1. Understand the role of observation when working with children (1.1)
Time: 15 mins
How observant are you?
Consider:
Do you notice everything that goes on around you?
Do you walk around with your head down?
Are you looking at your phone at every possible opportunity?
Do you consider yourself to have a good memory?
Can you work out ‘whodunnit’ if you are watching a thriller or mystery film?

16. L

17. 1. Understand the role of observation when working with children (1.1)
Planning for individual needs
Observations are very important when planning for children’s individual needs.
Practitioners will observe a specific child, and the outcome of the observation will enable practitioners to plan for that child.
For example, a practitioner may observe a 4-year-old child in the mark-making or writing area, and notice that the child struggles to hold a pencil.
The practitioner would then plan activities that would develop this skill, such as threading or sorting small objects.

18. 1. Understand the role of observation when working with children (1.1)
Time: 15 mins
Discuss your experiences of observing around the college on
Friday.
Did your findings differ?
Has anyone observed a child on placement?
Learners may not have carried out formal, planned, written observations, but all learners will have observed children in play.

19. Task! 4 groups……..

20. 1. Understand the role of observation when working with children (1.1)
Early intervention
Observations play a crucial role in providing early interventions for young children.
An intervention will mean that practitioners will get involved with the child and family to deal with any issues that may have been identified during observations.
In some situations, professionals from outside the setting will also be involved.

21. 1. Understand the role of observation when working with children (1.1)
Early intervention
A practitioner may have noticed that child does not like being in group situations.
Observations will identify when and where this happens, and how the child deals with it.
Their key person will speak regularly to the parent/carer, and together, they can support the child.
If this was left unobserved and not dealt with, it could impact on the child’s holistic development.

22. 1. Understand the role of observation when working with children (1.1)
Reviewing the environment
Practitioners need to constantly review the environment
to see if it is working for the children.
An observation of a specific area of the setting will give practitioners lots of information. This may include:
How often it is used
How many children use it at one time
Is there enough space?
Are there enough resources?
Are the children using it as intended?

23. 1. Understand the role of observation when working with children (1.1)
Time: 15 mins
When working in a setting, you may see an area or activity that
isn’t working for the children. Discuss specific examples and explain your
actions.
Consider:
Was an area of the setting too crowded and therefore dangerous?
Was there an activity that was very popular, but children were getting frustrated because there weren’t enough resources?
Have you seen an activity that was left untouched for a whole session?
Is there an area of the setting where children always bump into others
or into furniture?
What could you do about these situations?
Learners may not have written observations on the environment, but they will have noticed areas that work and areas that don’t.
This activity encourages learners to think about what they will do about these situations.

24. 1. Understand the role of observation when working with children (1.1)
During transition
If a child is new to the setting or is going through a change in home circumstances, then practitioners will observe them to make sure they are coping with the transition.
Observations will need to be carried out over a period of time because the child may be fine one day and then struggle the next day.
When observing the child, practitioners will be able to identify any specific situations that the child finds difficult, and they can then work on ways to support the child.

25. 1. Understand the role of observation when working with children (1.1)
Working in partnership
Working in partnership with others will support the individual needs of the child.
Practitioners may work with other professionals from outside the setting, and they will also work in partnership with parents/carers.
Observations will support partnership working.

26. 1. Understand the role of observation when working with children (1.1)
Working in partnership
Observations will support working in partnership in many ways, including:
Observing a child prior to a meeting – this will provide accurate and up-to-date information for the team
Observing how others deal with a situation – seeing how another practitioner deals with behaviour management
Observing to see whether a suggested action plan has had the desired effect – changing an area of the setting to resolve conflict and then seeing if it works
Observations from different points of view – different practitioners and professionals will see different things.

27. 1. Understand the role of observation when working with children (1.1)
Time: 15 mins
Discuss the benefits of sharing observations with others.
Consider:
Different views and opinions
Trying new strategies
Early intervention
Teamwork
The holistic needs of the child
Discuss the need for maintaining confidentiality when sharing observations.
Learners should discuss the importance of observations when used to identify and meet individual needs.
Confidentiality – safe storage of observations to be discussed.

28. 1. Understand the role of observation when working with children (1.1)
Time: 15 mins
Reflect on your own observational skills.
Consider:
Are you naturally observant?
Are you able to write what you see?
Do you get easily distracted?
Are you able to ask for advice and guidance?
What do you think you might find difficult about carrying out observations?
How can you overcome this?
Learners should reflect on their own abilities.
If learners have already carried out observations, then they can reflect on what has happened.
If learners have not carried out written observations, then they can reflect on informal observations of children.

29. Summary
Practitioners will carry out regular planned and unplanned observations of the child and the environment.
Observations can be used for a variety of reasons.
Observations will support the learning and development of all children.

30. Plenary Explain why practitioners observe children.
Describe three reasons for observing the environment.
Why are observations used during transition?

31. Homework!! See task sheet…… Session 1 Unit 11 on the VLE
I will be collecting this in on Thursday…..