HEAD START®

Observation and Recording: Tools for Decision Making

Training Guides for the Head Start Learning Community

Table of Contents | Preface | Introduction | Module 1 | Module 2 | Module 3 | Module 4
| Continuing Professional Development | Resources
Appendices: Appendix A | Appendix B | Appendix C | Appendix D | Appendix E

PREFACE

A thoughtful, objective, and accurate observer in an early childhood setting uses all senses to record children's actions. Just as a camera records the actions of actors on a Hollywood sound stage, the observer's responsibility is to objectively view and accurately record a mental film of children's actions and behaviors. Creating such a film and interpreting what is seen allows education staff to better support, encourage, and evaluate children's growth and development. By carefully observing how and what infants, toddlers, and preschool children do in all settings, including the home, Head Start education staff can appreciate where children are developmentally and what they require for their growth and development. To do this, the Head Start education staff need to know the three-step process of observation:

1. Paying careful attention to the behavior
2. Analyzing the observations
3. Drawing conclusions

By completing the skill-building activities in this technical guide, education staff, the teaching teams, volunteers, and home visitors will effectively relate to each child in their program. As staff skillfully observe children's reactions to their world, they can evaluate their work with the children for effectiveness, make any modifications, and develop and implement child-centered, developmentally appropriate curriculums.

By providing quality staff development opportunities, the management team supports and encourages the education staff to become astute and accurate observers and thoughtful decision makers. Completing the activities of this technical guide is the first step to helping staff increase the quality of their program by making effective mental videos of the actions and behaviors of the children in their care.

Observation and Recording: Keys to Quality Early Childhood Programs (Cartoon)