Oglala Lakota College Head Start/Early Head Start Program
POLICY AND PROCEDURES
TITLE:
OBSERVING CHILDREN
PURPOSE
Observable behaviors (what you can actually see) and objectivity is the essence of a
worthwhile observation. For the observation to become worthwhile it must have a purpose and be
used to achieve that purpose.
POLICY
The OLC HS/EHS staff will observe the children to see how well the child has assimilated
learning, and staff can indicate what learning is still to be achieved.
PROCEDURE
Teachers and Teacher Assistants, under supervision of the teacher, must conduct weekly child
observations using the Teaching Strategies GOLD Observation Checklist and/or the OLC HS or
EHS Child Observation Form.
The child will be observed each week in one of the developmental areas described in the
Teaching Strategies GOLD Assessment System (Social/Emotional, Physical, Language,
Cognitive, Literacy, Mathematics, Science/Technology, Social Studies and Art).
The Teaching Strategies GOLD Observation Checklist covers the Physical, Literacy and
Mathematics objectives.
The OLC HS or EHS Child Observation Form covers the Social/Emotional, Language
(Verbal), Cognitive, Science and Technology, Art and English Language Acquisition objectives and is
a narrative observation form. When using this form staff should:
 Write observation notes that are concise and recorded at the time of the observation.
Observation notes can be written on another paper and transferred or attached to the OLC HS
or EHS Child Observation Form.
 An individual child should be observed for several minutes in each developmental area. At the
end of the day, the observation notes should be reviewed and related to the goals and
objectives listed under the area observed. Circle the number of each goal/objective the
observation notes indicate the child was practicing.
 The observations are available in the Child’s Individual Portfolio to share with parents and
promote parent involvement in observing their children as required by Head Start Performance
Standards.
 The information from all observations will be used to discuss child development, develop appropriate
goals, behaviors and to discuss family concerns about the child.
DOCUMENTATION
Teaching Strategies GOLD Observation Checklist
OLC HS or EHS Child Observation Form
REGULATORY REFERENCE(S):
Head Start Performance Standards
Environmental Health Standards
1304.22(a)(3)
4-116.20
Adapted from Model Tribal Head Start Health and Safety Code-Indian Health Service/Office of Environmental Health
Revised: 03/28/12
PC Approval: 10/23/06
BOT Approval: 11/21/06