Magnifying GlassesUnit 3:  Observation & Measurement

Observation is something we do all the time.  When you get up in the morning, you look out the window to observe the weather .  As you drive to work, you observe the other s on the road, and notice everything they are doing wrong. You notice new buildings going up, you notice new clothes on your co-workers , and you notice someone’s new hair style.  As a teacher or child care worker, you will observe children at work and play.

At the child care center, observation is im-portant, because the verbal skills of young children are so limited.  You can’t give the young child a test  to see if the child is learning or developing properly.  All you can do is to observe their responses or behavior.

This chapter outlines the variety of ways child care professionals can observe preschoolers. There are several charts included that you may use to measure progress, and a section on the ethics of observation.

Unit 3: Table of Contents 

 

 

A.  The Importance of Observation

59

 

B.  Types of Observation

60

 

C.  Basics of Observation

64

 

D.  Time For Referral 

65

 

E.  Ethics of Observation

68

 

F.  Examples of Rating Forms

69

 

G.  Unit 3 Review

79