{"id":28,"date":"2022-06-22T05:27:13","date_gmt":"2022-06-22T05:27:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accece1045\/chapter\/becoming-a-skilled-observer\/"},"modified":"2025-07-15T16:37:52","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T16:37:52","slug":"becoming-a-skilled-observer","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/accece1045\/chapter\/becoming-a-skilled-observer\/","title":{"raw":"Becoming a Skilled Observer","rendered":"Becoming a Skilled Observer"},"content":{"raw":"To truly observe a child, you must be present, knowledgeable, inquisitive and intentional. With every observation, you will sharpen your skills as you learn how to effectively gather objective evidence and detailed data.\r\n\r\nBe present:<\/strong> To capture all the individual mannerisms, subtle social nuances, non-verbal body language and dynamic conversations that occur throughout the day you must be attentive, focused and ready to go at any given moment. Children move fast. When we blink, we are bound to miss some little detail or precious moment, that\u2019s a given. Being present takes considerable effort and careful planning.\r\n\r\nBe knowledgeable<\/strong>: Understanding the core concepts of early childhood education is extremely important if you are to set reasonable expectations and plan developmentally appropriate learning experiences. Familiarizing yourself with child development theories will help you understand and appreciate why children do what they do. Learning about the key principles in early care and education will provide you with a solid foundation and a wide range of instructional strategies to support a child\u2019s development.\r\n\r\nBe inquisitive:<\/strong> Think of yourself as a researcher. Your primary mission is to investigate the children in your care by routinely gathering evidence, using a variety of observation methods and tools. As a good researcher you will need to ask some thoughtful questions. These questions will guide you as you plan purposeful observations and as you select your method of observation. Here are some sample questions you may ask yourself: What activities interest Max? How many times did Stevie hit today? What skills did Hazel master today with this activity, and what skills need further support? How long did Zoey stay engaged while playing in the sandbox? What milestones will this activity support? By a sking thoughtful questions, you will learn more about the children in your care and you will do a better job at supporting each child\u2019s individual needs. Rather than fixating on a child\u2019s behavior, in time you will begin using focused observations to try and figure out the reasons why a child acts the way they do.\r\n\r\nBe intentional:<\/strong> As you organize learning experiences, set up the classroom and outside environment, assess children\u2019s developmental progress, engage in activities, and interact with your children and families \u2013 you must have a thoughtful plan of action in place. \u201cIntentional teaching means that everything you do as a teacher has a specific goal and purpose\u201d (Gordon & Browne, 2016 p. 103). Even as spontaneous situations arise, intentional teachers must make the most of teachable moments. Intentional teachers conduct regular observations and gather objective documentation data to be accountable for the actions they take, the plans they generate and the assessments they make.\r\n
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Check Your Knowledge<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

\r\n

This short quiz includes 5 multiple choice questions<\/strong> to help you reflect on key skills and concepts related to observation in early childhood education.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

    \r\n \t
  • \r\n
      \r\n \t
    • \r\n

      Read each question carefully.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t

    • \r\n

      Choose the one best answer<\/strong> from the options provided.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t

    • \r\n

      You can review and change your answers before submitting.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t

    • \r\n

      Click \"Check\"<\/strong> or \"Submit\"<\/strong> when you are finished to see your score.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n[h5p id=\"2\"]","rendered":"

      To truly observe a child, you must be present, knowledgeable, inquisitive and intentional. With every observation, you will sharpen your skills as you learn how to effectively gather objective evidence and detailed data.<\/p>\n

      Be present:<\/strong> To capture all the individual mannerisms, subtle social nuances, non-verbal body language and dynamic conversations that occur throughout the day you must be attentive, focused and ready to go at any given moment. Children move fast. When we blink, we are bound to miss some little detail or precious moment, that\u2019s a given. Being present takes considerable effort and careful planning.<\/p>\n

      Be knowledgeable<\/strong>: Understanding the core concepts of early childhood education is extremely important if you are to set reasonable expectations and plan developmentally appropriate learning experiences. Familiarizing yourself with child development theories will help you understand and appreciate why children do what they do. Learning about the key principles in early care and education will provide you with a solid foundation and a wide range of instructional strategies to support a child\u2019s development.<\/p>\n

      Be inquisitive:<\/strong> Think of yourself as a researcher. Your primary mission is to investigate the children in your care by routinely gathering evidence, using a variety of observation methods and tools. As a good researcher you will need to ask some thoughtful questions. These questions will guide you as you plan purposeful observations and as you select your method of observation. Here are some sample questions you may ask yourself: What activities interest Max? How many times did Stevie hit today? What skills did Hazel master today with this activity, and what skills need further support? How long did Zoey stay engaged while playing in the sandbox? What milestones will this activity support? By a sking thoughtful questions, you will learn more about the children in your care and you will do a better job at supporting each child\u2019s individual needs. Rather than fixating on a child\u2019s behavior, in time you will begin using focused observations to try and figure out the reasons why a child acts the way they do.<\/p>\n

      Be intentional:<\/strong> As you organize learning experiences, set up the classroom and outside environment, assess children\u2019s developmental progress, engage in activities, and interact with your children and families \u2013 you must have a thoughtful plan of action in place. \u201cIntentional teaching means that everything you do as a teacher has a specific goal and purpose\u201d (Gordon & Browne, 2016 p. 103). Even as spontaneous situations arise, intentional teachers must make the most of teachable moments. Intentional teachers conduct regular observations and gather objective documentation data to be accountable for the actions they take, the plans they generate and the assessments they make.<\/p>\n

      \n
      \n

      Check Your Knowledge<\/p>\n<\/header>\n

      \n

      This short quiz includes 5 multiple choice questions<\/strong> to help you reflect on key skills and concepts related to observation in early childhood education.<\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n
          \n
        • \n

          Read each question carefully.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Choose the one best answer<\/strong> from the options provided.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          You can review and change your answers before submitting.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Click “Check”<\/strong> or “Submit”<\/strong> when you are finished to see your score.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

          \n