4.1: The Role of Observation

Observations are conducted every day in early childhood classroom environments. Teachers are constantly surveying the environment and completing safety checks to make sure the equipment and materials are safe for the children to use. Teachers also look for signs of illness or injury everyday to ensure their children are healthy enough to participate in program activities. Beyond the standard safety check, teachers have many other important tasks and duties that they must do in order to maintain a copacetic classroom environment. Intentional teachers use their observations to plan and implement curriculum, set up engaging learning environments, monitor the children’s social interactions, track behaviors, communicate with families, and assess each child’s progress and development. Essentially, observations help teachers be more professionally responsible and proactive. 

 Observation

The process of gathering information about objects and events using senses of sight, smell, sound, touch and taste, noticing specific details or phenomena that ordinarily might be overlooked" (California Department of Education 2016, p.64).

As mentioned in Chapter One, observation is also one key component of the RIOT framework. While observation provides real-time behavioral data, it should be combined with information from review, interview, and testing for a complete understanding. 

For example, an observation may show how a child behaves in class, while an interview with a caregiver may provide additional context about behavior at home.

Behavior

Anything a child says or does that can be observed. 

By conducting regular observations, intentional teachers can: 

1. Evaluate program effectiveness
2. Evaluate teacher effectiveness
3. Make improvements to ensure quality practices
4. Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum
5. Measure and assess a child’s development
6. Develop respectful family partnerships
7. Understand the cultural practices and family structure
8. Select effective learning strategies to support and accommodate the diverse needs of children
9. Ensure ethical conduct and professional standards of practice
10. Teach with confidence

Figure 1.1: COC OER

Image by College of the Canyons ZTC Team is licensed under CC BY 4.0

 

If we want to understand children, we must first watch them and listen to them. Then, we must try to make sense of what we observed and give it meaning. The role of observation is to provide teachers with the information and evidence they will need to make informed decisions on how to best support the children in their care. With each observation, you will get a glimpse into a child’s developing mind. Not only will you see a child’s personality emerge, but you will also be able to see what a child can do. As you watch your children, you will see how they problem solve when conflicts arise and how they cope with the stress from being in a group setting. You will learn about their individual needs and their cultural practices. When you watch children closely, their interests and abilities are revealed. With each observation, you will gain useful insight that will help you become an intentional teacher.

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