Observation and Floor Plan
CYP Core 3.1
3.1, Explain how to monitor children and young people’s development using different methods
There are lots of different ways you can observe a child and each will have a different purpose and give you a different outcome, below I have listed a few different types of observations you can use.
Narrative Observation,
Narrative observation is a detailed account of everything that you see a child doing, it helps if you have a clear focus for your observation so that you can choose an appropriate activity to observe. It can give lots of information in all areas but can also be difficult to record everything you see and if other distractions arise important events can be missed. This sort of observation can be done at any time and no preparation is needed, you should observe for a short time, about10 – 15 minutes. It can be hard to observe so closely and write down everything that you see for much longer. The Pros are, collection of detailed, descriptive narrative data concerning literacy development, used plain instruction, can be used throughout the year. The Cons you may not be able to do them in the setting as the planning may not be right for this type of observation, you need to have a great deal of expertise and objectivity.
Tracking Observation
A tracking grid observation (also known as mapping ) is where the observer maps wherever the child goes within a given period on a floor plan of the room. The time the child spends at each area/activity should also be recorded on the floor plan, the observer plots the child’s direction onto the floor plan using a dashed line. Tracking grids are used to observe attention span and it also records the activities that children play at most frequently. It is always useful to have a floor plan already made up so you are ready anytime to do one.
Time sampling observation
The child is observed at specific intervals e.g. every 15 minutes throughout the session or for how long is required. More information may
3.1, Explain how to monitor children and young people’s development using different methods
There are lots of different ways you can observe a child and each will have a different purpose and give you a different outcome, below I have listed a few different types of observations you can use.
Narrative Observation,
Narrative observation is a detailed account of everything that you see a child doing, it helps if you have a clear focus for your observation so that you can choose an appropriate activity to observe. It can give lots of information in all areas but can also be difficult to record everything you see and if other distractions arise important events can be missed. This sort of observation can be done at any time and no preparation is needed, you should observe for a short time, about10 – 15 minutes. It can be hard to observe so closely and write down everything that you see for much longer. The Pros are, collection of detailed, descriptive narrative data concerning literacy development, used plain instruction, can be used throughout the year. The Cons you may not be able to do them in the setting as the planning may not be right for this type of observation, you need to have a great deal of expertise and objectivity.
Tracking Observation
A tracking grid observation (also known as mapping ) is where the observer maps wherever the child goes within a given period on a floor plan of the room. The time the child spends at each area/activity should also be recorded on the floor plan, the observer plots the child’s direction onto the floor plan using a dashed line. Tracking grids are used to observe attention span and it also records the activities that children play at most frequently. It is always useful to have a floor plan already made up so you are ready anytime to do one.
Time sampling observation
The child is observed at specific intervals e.g. every 15 minutes throughout the session or for how long is required. More information may