1. Inquiry 1

Session 3: Observing Young Children

Session 3: Observing Young Children

 

Inquiry 1: Why Observe Children?

 

Watching and recording what children do and say can be an effective way to get to know them. Children are continually processing information, watching others play, attempting new skills, deciding on different activities, and absorbing the environment around them.

 

Child care providers who watch and record children’s facial expressions, body language, oral language, and actions learn about children’s development and developmental needs. With this information, child care providers can set up activities and programs that focus on the likes, interests, and developmental needs of the children in their care. Observation also encourages teamwork among child care providers, as it provides a chance to explore new ideas and make changes to the program.

 

The Value of Child Care Providers’ Observations of Children

 

Important: It is important to remember when observing children that the notes child care providers take and share with others (e.g., colleagues, family members, community agencies) are discussed in a positive way. Sharing information from observations should be done to enhance the child’s development and to identify areas of growth.

When child care providers observe children’s behaviour in a natural child care setting, the benefits are as follows:

  • increased sensitivity and understanding of each child’s uniqueness, and the opportunity to plan appropriate activities
  • increased sensitivity and understanding of all children and their needs
  • the ability to set up the environment (room arrangement, equipment, materials) to appropriately meet the needs of individual children
  • the ability to establish an appropriate daily schedule based on the children’s needs
  • the opportunity to provide more appropriate experiences for children based on the knowledge of what children want to learn
  • the opportunity to sequence learning and to introduce new ideas regarding learning that fit the children observed
  • more effective guidance of the children’s behaviour
  • more accurate information provided to parents, co-workers, and community referral agencies
  • modelling of respect for, and interest in, others
  • demonstrated personal insight into professional understanding
  • increased satisfaction with the profession of being a child care provider