43 Chapter 1 Learning About Children
Ways to Observe
There are many ways to observe
children. The best way is to observe
children directly. However, many
observations are done indirectly.
Direct Observations
A direct observation means
watching children in their natural
environments. These environments
include home, play groups, child
care programs, schools, and public
places, such as shopping centers,
parks, and restaurants. Most direct
observations occur in these types
of places.
Researchers often set up
special laboratory settings where
they can study what they may not
see in the natural environment.
They may need to observe, for
example, how a baby reacts when
the mother leaves the room and a
stranger enters. Researchers also
use laboratory observations to
speed up the observation process.
Suppose researchers want to
observe a child’s balancing skills.
If they go to a park with a balance
beam, they may wait hours before
they observe enough children to
form a sample for their study. In a
laboratory, however, children would
arrive at the setting, walk the beam,
and leave. Researchers also use
laboratory settings when special
equipment is needed.
Observations set in laboratories
cannot answer all questions. For
instance, it would be hard for
researchers to know if children
really like playing on a balance
beam. Although some information
in this book comes from research in
the laboratory setting, this is not the
way you will start observing. You
will begin your observations in the
natural setting, as do all researchers.
Indirect Observations
Although direct observation
is the main way to learn about
children, researchers also use other
observation methods to study
them. Sometimes they want to see
something in more detail or check
direct observations. One important
method is indirect observation.
This may include asking questions
of parents, teachers, or children.
Indirect observation also includes
observing products children
make, such as artwork or the
stories children dictate or write.
This method helps you gather
information you could not obtain
directly from observing the child.
You can learn a lot from
children’s work. You can learn
even more when you observe
children making these products.
For example, it is easy to look at
a drawing and notice a child has
colored outside the lines. How
can you tell if this is due to lack of
motor control, a damaged crayon,
or a rushed coloring job? Only
direct observation will tell you.
Guidelines for
Observing
Anyone observing children
should follow certain guidelines, 1-13.
These guidelines are important for
several reasons. First, they protect the
rights of the subject and the observer.
They also list proper behaviors you
should follow when visiting a child
care center. Finally, these guidelines
will help you make meaningful and
accurate observations.