Identification of developmental observations should include
- watching a child at work or play without interfering
- documenting the observed activity and recording the details (e.g., journal, anecdotal, checklist)
- the characteristics of the ages and stages of development of young children.
Process/Skill Questions:
Thinking
- What are various methods of collecting data on children from birth through school age? What are the goals of data collection?
- How can data be shared with parents and other teachers?
- Why is it important to have knowledge of ages and stages of children’s development when collecting data?
Communication
- What is the difference between fact and interpretation?
- What roles do listening and writing have in data collection?
- What communication skills correlate with different data collection methods?
- How does personal bias affect the accuracy of an observation?
Leadership
- What role do ethics play when collecting data?
- Why is it crucial to consider confidentiality when collecting data?
Management
- What are some consequences of inaccurate documentation?
- How can collected data be used to guide future activities for the class or for individual students?
- How do various types of early childhood programs (e.g., Montessori, High Scope, etc.) differ in the data that is collected?