Observations in the Early Years

• Childcare
• Higher Education (non-degree)

Observations in the Early Years

What is legislation?

Understanding Observational methods.

Narrative:

A long written record completed for a period of time. 

this is detailed observation that shows accurate

assessing and planning in line with planning cycle. 

When you write a narrative observation, it needs to 

have the date / time, name of the observer, finish time.

Go to page 267 and take a look at an example. 

Time sample:

Need to prepare a chart in advance

Use to show snapshot observations over a period of time

Focus on what the child is doing at regular intervals, including social group, with comments

Advantages: shows how a child spends their time, how they play and socialise with others; easy to record; covers a range of areas of development and learning

Disadvantages: time-consuming to complete; can be interrupted by unforeseen circumstances

Narrative, running/written reports

Time sample 

Child tracker 

Online learning journal

Checklist 

Sociograms 

Sticky notes/ jotting

Child tracker

This observation method is used to establish children's play 

interests and how long they are interacting in these activities. 

- Supports to check if a child is able to interact.

- Establish play interests 

To successfully carry out a child tracker, a plan for both indoor and outdoor spaces need to be established. 

It is important to establish the time spent in each section mapped in your observation. 

Understanding Observational methods.

Learning stories/ journal 

This approach to observations can be both hand written or electronic.

Eletronical approaches are more popular in the present. Using electronic formats such as iconnect / tapestry. 

Generically both the hand written and electronic versions will include: photographs or short clips with comments added at the bottom. The practitioners will highlight key links to development & also capture 'wow' moments.

Disadvantages: the quality of the observation can become reliant on the images and clips used.

Checklist: 

Checklists are similar to a tick chart, they often contain predetermined milestones that you would expect a child to achieve + a short comment to support. 

It is important to be considerate of age and stage of development.

Understanding Observational methods.

Sociogram

This is a form of recording observation focusing on children's friendships. Really nice way of observing for PSED.

Children will report who they are playing with. 

A grid system is then used to see if there are children who are mentioned frequently.

It also helps practitioners identify friendships amongst groups. 

Disadvantages: 

- Friendships are not always stable 

- If a child is absent they may forget to mention the.

Sticky notes / post it notes

Need post-it notes & pen

Use to record a snapshot description of what is happening there & then. 

More than one post it note is required

Focus on a specific event or achievement – a ‘wow’ moment!

Advantages: quick & easy; spontaneous, does not need forward planning

Disadvantages: takes experience to use these effectively; provides limited information; can be difficult to evaluate; easy to lose.

Time stamp 

Start time and end time 

Name of observer

Method 3: Observations

Explore the use of observations as a research method in the article, discussing its strengths and limitations.