‘Accurate observations and assessments are essential to effective educational practice.’
We observe that we can recognize children’s and young people’s skills and abilities and identify their needs. This will make planning for their future development much more specific to the individual need. ‘Observation is more than just watching; you are also noticing and thinking at the same time ‘
Observation enables the childcare practitioner, play worker, or educator to compare a pupil’s progress with the expected range for their age group, and to plan activities and support techniques that will lead to the next stage. Observation is primarily of children’s normal daily activities, their use of language, social interactions with others and samples that demonstrate their work.
When we observe we have to record what we see and hear - not what we think or feel. A child may cry for different reasons; we do not know how the child is feeling, and we should not make a subjective assumption that the child is sad. We should always focus on the child’s strengths as much as we focus on any learning or behavior difficulties. The observation must follow the school’s policies and procedures regarding confidentiality and data protection.
Monitoring children and young people’s development takes different forms depending on its purpose.
Assessment frameworks are useful in deciding whether a child is reaching expected milestones of development in different areas, whether they have any particular needs and what these needs are. Assessment frameworks can be used to screen for disabilities, to assist in developing curricula and daily activities, and to provide feedback to parents and colleagues.
Observations can be taken during lessons or playtime, and can be presented in a number of ways depending on their purpose
Standard measurements include health assessments, reasoning tests and cognitive aptitude test. They are tools that measure a child’s physical and intellectual development, and determine if that development is progressing at the expected rate for their age
Information from carers and colleagues forms an important part of understanding the background of the child and can be a valuable indicator of which areas of observation will be most beneficial.
Observation
‘Researchers suggest observations should occur on an on-going basis in natural settings and should be integrated into daily activities’
Formal observations are the observations, which we take in order to support the teacher in assessing a pupil’s level of development and match the relevant areas of the curriculum to the age-related expectations of pupils. They will also help us to understand the teaching and learning objective, the learning resources required and enable us to assess any additional needs of the children involved.
Every child or young person is asked the same questions - the results can be used to compare a child to developmental norms, or to children in similar circumstances. The usual methods of formal observation are:
SATs - Standard Assessment Tests, taken at the end of Key Stages 1 and 2
GCSE – exams to measure academic achievement, taken at the age of 15
Tick lists or check lists – are a tool that can be used at any time as part of an assessment of a child’s stage of development – they can help in planning activities, and may form a basis for future observations for a child. Additional comments provide valuable additional information, and can help to link the checklist with other observations that have been made.
Learning stories or learning journeys give a complete picture of an activity, which a child has undertaken, explaining the goals achieved and the next steps, and the way a child might be supported. Photos of their work or taken during activities are often included.
Informal observations are more spontaneous, and could be based on seeing a child engaged in an activity that shows a particular aspect of behavior or development.
Event sampling is another type of informal observation that focuses on particular events. They can be used to build up a pattern of a child’s behavior over a period of days or weeks.
Verbal feedback from a teaching assistant to a class teacher or from parents to the teacher is also part of the informal observation.
All observation methods can be important tools in identifying which level the child has reached and for planning suitable activities for them - particularly in the earlier years when a child’s rate of development is much faster.
‘Observation is a skill and it is a fascinating one to have, because you are more aware of children’s needs and strengths’
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
2 . Explain the importance of observing and analysing children’s and young people’s play. Through observing a child, it helps you to understand and be aware of the child’s interests and levels of capability as well as engaging and stimulating program curriculum. Every practitioner should analyse observations they make of children so they can identify strengths and weaknesses and how far the child has developed. By doing this, practitioners can see where a child requires support and can plan out activities to further develop a child’s needs and are able to make relevant referrals if external support is needed. Observing is also known as a fundamental part of the EYFS, where practitioners are expected to observe children and make notes which helps to keep a record of each child’s progress through the EYFS and enables practioners to plan ahead on areas of learning that need to be more focused upon.…
- 1945 Words
- 8 Pages
Better Essays -
Informal observations are those which are carried out on a daily basis as you work with pupils you may notice a child is having difficulty understanding a new concept you would them pass this information on to the teacher as part of the feedback process.…
- 227 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
Observation is used by watching the children and young people in a thoroughly way, the purpose for this method is that it helps the teacher/mentor to identify the behaviour of the children documents their performances and comes to decisions, when planning an observation you need to be clear about it and obvious about the purpose of to why you are doing it.…
- 477 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
The reasons we observe and assess is to see if there are any difficulties the child/children may be having and in what areas and to see if what we are teaching the child/children is actually being learnt.…
- 2040 Words
- 9 Pages
Better Essays -
* Observing children and assessing their development, being alert to any indications that their progress is not developing as it should.…
- 1531 Words
- 7 Pages
Good Essays -
.observing and assessing children and their development by being alert to any indicators that their progress is not as it should be for their age range. By doing this if there is a problem we can take relevant action in partnership with parents and other professionals.…
- 1029 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Observation informal observations will be those which staff carry out each day as you work with pupils. These may be small but over time will enable staff to build up a picture of each pupil. Staff may notice, for example, that a pupil is able to understand new concepts very easily, or that they are holding a pencil incorrectly. It is likely that teaching assistants will discuss your observations with teachers as part of the feedback process after your work with pupils. A disadvantage of informal observations is that they may not be recorded and you might forget to pass on what you have seen to others. Staff may also be asked to carry out formal observations on pupils to support the teacher in assessing pupil’s levels of development.…
- 390 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
When supporting child and young person development I need to learn how to meet each individual’s needs. By observing a child or young people in a structured way enables me to find out what their individual needs are and how best I can support them by reflecting their interest and views, providing play opportunities for young children and through providing challenges to children in a safe environment.…
- 1926 Words
- 8 Pages
Better Essays -
Visual observations to gather information plays a vital part in daily life of a school. We are continually observing and monitoring children’s development as they progress through the school. It is necessary that we identify children at risk and those who potentially could become a risk. Early intervention is crucial to lessen the delay of development. Once a risk has been identified, it is essential to involve parents/carers and any staff that are involved with the child/children.…
- 395 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Making observations and assessing children – by doing this I am able to check to see if individual children are progressing and developing at suitable rates, if not so then I would need to take relevant action in partnership with the parents and /or other agencies and professionals. Therefore a good understanding of a child’s development stages is essential…
- 381 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
The adult may be asked to do a formal observation. These are done to support the teacher in assessing a child or young person’s levels of development.…
- 1333 Words
- 4 Pages
Powerful Essays -
I will then explain how observations can be used to support planning to meet the child’s needs.…
- 5956 Words
- 24 Pages
Good Essays -
There are many observations and assessment methods that we use to record children’s development and will be on going. This is what is called formative assessment, which means even though you get to know a child’s strengths and areas that they may need more support in and will plan for them and carry on observing them. With Formative assessment there are many different methods that can be used such as target child, tick box/checklists, free description, time sampling methods.....all would be used in different settings and for different purposes by different people…
- 516 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
“A primary purpose of observation is to record in order to inform our response to the needs of children.”…
- 1281 Words
- 6 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
It is important that when Observing and recording you of selecting the appropriate method to suit desired aim of the observation it. We do observations to help look at the different areas of development i.e. physical, intellectual, emotional, and social.…
- 1017 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays