Observing Children
A Tool for Assessment
Assessment
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Assessment is the process of
observing, recording, and
documenting children’s growth
and behavior.
It is a collection of data in reallife situations.
Purposes of Assessment
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The information collected is
used to help plan curriculum.
Teachers gain insight into
children’s learning needs.
Individual and classroom
problems can be identified.
Allows you to identify children
with special needs.
Purposes of Assessments
(cont.)
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Information can be useful during
parent conferences.
Helps to evaluate your program.
You can find out where children
are in their development.
When to do them…
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An initial assessment needs to
be done as a beginning teacher.
You do this to get a snapshot of
the whole class.
Study their folders, review home
background forms, read past
conference notes, home visit if
possible.
Ongoing Assessments
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They should provide evidence
that children are learning.
You can gather data during
classroom activities.
Watch them especially during
free choice time. This is when
they reveal their personalities.
Formal and Informal
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Formal methods include
standardized tests and research
instruments.
Results are compared to
developmental norms- what is
considered normal for children in
specific age groups.
These require specialized training for
recording data on carefully designed
forms.
Choosing a Method
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Depends on the type of behavior
you want to assess and the
amount of detail you need.
Whether the information needs
to be collected for one child or
the whole group.
The amount of focused attention
required by the observer needs
to be considered.
Assessment Tools
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Anecdotal Records- the simplest
form of direct observation which
is a brief narrative of a specific
incident.
It needs to be done promptly
and accurately.
You will detail children’s
interactions with people and
materials.
Must be Objective..
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Statements must pass 2 tests. It
must describe only observable
actions. Generalizations about the
motives, attitudes, and feelings of
the children are not included.
The information must be
nonevaluative. You should not write
whether it was right, wrong, good, or
bad.
Interpretation
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An attempt is made to explain
the behavior and give it
meaning.
No two people will interpret facts
in the same way.
Personal feelings, values, and
attitudes could influence this.
Advantages
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Easy because it requires no
special setting or time frame.
It can provide a running record.
A means of assessing progress.
Disadvantages
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Only based on the observer.
If the incident is written at the
end of the day, all of the detail
may not be recalled.
A complete picture may not be
provided.
Checklists
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Designed to record the
presence or absence of specific
traits or behaviors.
May be designed to serve one
child or a group.
Use of Fine Motor Skills
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Cuts paper
Pastes with a finger
Pours from a pitcher
Copies a circle from a drawing
Draws a straight line
Uses finger to pick up smaller
objects
Draws a person with three parts
Advantages
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Easy to use, efficient, and can
be used in many situations.
The information can be quickly
recorded anytime during the
day.
Disadvantages
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Lacks detailed information.
Important aspects of behavior
are missed, such as how a
behavior is performed and for
how long.
Participation Chart
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Advantage- allows you to gain
information about specific aspects of
behavior.
For instance, what time each child
falls asleep at nap time and how long
they sleep.
Their needs don’t always match
yours.
Doesn’t explain situations or details.
Rating Scales
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Records the degree to which a
trait or quality is present.
Example: Child has a strong
desire to please: never,
sometimes, usually, always
Advantages and
Disadvantages
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Easy to use and require little
time.
Only fragments of the actions
are included.
Collecting Student’s Work
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Store items in chronological
order in a folder or portfolio.
Samples could be displayed by
photography or sketches for
things like block displays.
Using Technology
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Videos, digital cameras
Make sure they are not
distractive.
Get parent permission.
May have another adult teacher
or parent volunteer to do it so
you can be included.
Portfolios
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Can include anecdotal records,
checklists, questionnaires.
Also may include audiotapes of
conversations, children reading
stories.
Of course include student work
Photographs
List of favorites
Parent comments
Guidelines for Observing
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Keep information confidential.
Avoid talking to the children.
Don’t bring distracting personal
belongings into the classroom.
If a child asks, respond by telling
them you are writing notes on
how children play.