Why observe children at play

Our Story. Meet Our Experts. GFP Difference. Commitment to Safety. Green Initiative. Planning and Design. Our Design Process. Inclusive Environments. Playground Installation. Age Specific Play. How to Buy. Partnerships for Play. Grant Guide. Shade for Play Environments. Day Care Play Equipment. Disinfecting Playground Equipment. White Papers. Types of Play. Commonly heard responses are that early care and education ECE professionals observe children to monitor progress, to complete required assessments and screenings, and to identify learning or behavior challenges.

Observation is a core piece of the assessment process and continuous quality improvement CQI planning. But another reason for observation is to spark learning and development. Your email address will not be published. Search for: Search. What is observation in early childhood education? What are the types of documentation? Written observations with language samples. Example: Bobby is building with the blocks.

He is stacking all the square blocks and then topping off with a triangular block. What do educators track? The primary areas of focuses are on: Cognitive development Physical development Social development Emotional development Language and literacy development Depending on the style of teaching or curriculum there may be other areas of focus but these will always be key areas of focus.

July 30, at am. Cyndi says:. August 29, at pm. October 15, at am. Dorna says:. December 11, at pm. Diane says:. January 2, at pm. But observation is not just for teachers. Parents can also see benefits from observing their children at play. Understanding what is triggering a behavior can help us help them navigate their reactions and feelings. Ask yourself, what are they teaching themselves right now? What theories stand behind their play?

What are the driving questions they are trying to answer? I like to think of it as listening with all of my senses, with my full self. What will you do with the data you collect? Be satisfied that you now know it. Better understanding our loved ones is an end unto itself. That is really the key: observation leads to better understanding. Ready to spend a little time observing? Here are some tips for observing children at play.

Choose a time when your child is playing independently. Sit where you are not a distraction and avoid calling attention to yourself.

Have a notebook and pen handy in case you want to write down your observations. If your child tries to engage you in their activity, reassure them that you are nearby, but are busy doing your work. Observe what your child has chosen to play with.

What do they choose? Be aware of the quality of interactions with each child. Step back and consider how and why you and other staff interact with her. Do all interactions nurture relationships and learning? Make tweaks , or small changes, while observing and afterwards. Use information from observations to inform program practices and policies. Take a broad look at how the program supports all children and learning.

Use the information for CQI plans. Make observation an ongoing practice, a part of all interactions and activities, and watch for small changes and individual traits.

Ongoing observation offers a chance to be proactive, to prevent problems. Take notes , either during activities or shortly afterwards. Notes also make it easier to identify patterns and growth.

Interaction, relationships, and connections offer the deepest support to learning. Observation connects many pieces of information to give ECE professionals a better picture of each child. Observation is an ongoing, integral part of a quality ECE program, and professionals play an important part.