30 Unit 1 Children and Families in Today’s World
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Figure 1.15
Guidelines for Observations
Guidelines Details About Guidelines
Know your objectives. Objectives tell you what age children to observe, what type of activity to
observe, where to observe (in some cases), how much time to spend
observing, what type of records to keep.
Obtain permission to observe. In public places (a park or shopping center), you may observe
children without permission. Parents or other adults are more
cooperative, however, when they know what you are doing. To
observe in private places (homes or child care programs), you will
need prior approval from your teacher and permission from the adult
at the home or program. Observe only on dates and times approved
by your teacher.
Know what to do at the site. Sites have different procedures. At some sites, you may observe
in an observation room looking through a one-way mirror. At other
sites, you may help with the children. In still other sites, you might
sit away from the children. Find out in advance what you will be
expected to do.
Ask questions at convenient times. Never interrupt a staff member who is engaged with children or
an adult.
Be sure observations do not
distract children from regular
activities.
Unless asked to help, do not get any closer to the children than
necessary. If children come to you, answer them briefly, but encourage
them to return to their activities. Also, avoid talking directly to children.
Your objectives should never interfere with the program objectives.
Observe carefully and objectively. Observe closely so you can remember the situation vividly. Many
situations can affect objectivity, such as distractions, fatigue, or
discomfort. Biases also affect objectivity, so observers should not
study their own children or children of close friends or relatives.
Record accurately. When recording information, avoid leaving out information that may
help you understand the situation, recording behaviors that did not
occur, and having notes out of sequence. Control this by writing the
time in your notes every three to five minutes.
Protect the rights of all observed. People have privacy rights observers must protect in the
following ways:
• Never discuss a child in front of that child or an adult except the
child’s teacher.
• Use no name or the child’s first name only during class discussions.
• Respect parents’ rights to refuse your request to observe.
• Keep information confidential.
• Destroy notes completely when they are no longer useful.