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Chapter 1 Learning About Children 27
Why Observe Children?
By observing children, you can learn about their
growth and development. To observe children, you
must focus on a task—what you want to learn. For
example, “Are boys in the block center more often
than girls, and if so, why?” As you observe, you
learn more about children when using your mind
to “see” more. Child development researchers
often work on specifi c problems for years—even
a lifetime.
During your course in child development, you
will receive assignments requiring observation of
children. These assignments are an important part
of your class for the following reasons:
• Observing children will help you
understand what you read in this book
and what you hear about children. At the
same time, what you learn from your
reading and class activities will help you see
more when you observe, too (Figure 1.13).
What you observe will depend on the
purpose of observation. Because this book
looks at the sequence of children’s growth
and development, you will consider these
principles when you observe.
• You, too, will notice behaviors that are not
part of your assigned work. You will want
Laws can be enacted on the local level, too.
An example is a curfew law. In addition, local
citizen groups often become
advocates (people
who actively support a cause) of
children’s rights.
These groups attempt to get needed laws passed
and notify the appropriate people when it seems a
child’s rights have been violated. Men and women
who are knowledgeable about child development
make excellent advocates.
Observing Children
Observation is the oldest, most common, and
best way to learn about human behavior, including
the behavior of children. You have all the equipment
you need for observing—your senses. Because the
senses are the main tools you use, you might think
observation skills come naturally. To some extent,
they do. You see and hear what goes on around you
every day. It takes training, however, to interpret
what you see and hear into information you can
use. For this reason, many observation skills must
be learned. These skills come with knowledge and
practice. As an example, when you look at an X-ray
or sonogram, you probably just see shadows and
lines. Why would your doctor see more? With his
or her training and experience, your doctor can see
meaning in these images you may not notice.
Child Advocate
Child advocates represent the best interests of
children who have been abused or neglected. They
promote and protect the rights of children.
Career cluster: Law, public safety, corrections, and
security.
Education: Educational requirements vary for each
state. Training in laws regarding children in the state
in which advocates practice is often required.
Job outlook: Future employment opportunities for
child advocates are expected to grow much faster
than the average for all occupations.
To learn more about a career as a child advocate,
visit the United States Department of Labor’s
Occupational Outlook Handbook website. You will
also be able to compare the job responsibilities,
educational requirements, job outlook, and average
pay of child advocates with similar occupations.
Careers