Child observation simulator: babies

Scenario #4 – Observing Jenni

Observation is a key tool when working with children. You may not always document everything that you observe, but you should develop the skill of recording incidental and significant information throughout the day. The most informative picture of a child will result from observations gathered in various contexts, both in and out of the setting. Observation of children should always take place in a context that is meaningful to them. Observations that are rooted in child-initiated learning experiences will generate valuable information for making accurate assessments of learning and development.

Watch the video and read the description below to take a step back and have a look at some everyday happenings. Comments, questions and links to more information are included in the following pages to support your thinking.

Jenni (13-months-old) has just mastered walking.

She toddles over to the cosy corner which is furnished with beanbags, turns around carefully and backs towards a beanbag and sits down. She hasn’t quite got onto the beanbag and is more on the floor than on the seat. She looks around, stands up and carefully repeats the process by turning around, backing towards the beanbag and sitting down.

In her first few attempts, she doesnt manage to get fully onto the beanbag so repeats the process twice more.

She manages to get right in the middle of the beanbag, struggling to sit up properly in the beanbag as it moulds around her. Eventually, she stops, and looks around her smiling broadly.

She sits on the beanbag for a few more minutes looking around. She gives a little nod of her head before clambering out of beanbag.

Once out, she turns around to look at the beanbag, pats it a few times and toddles off.

Schemas in children’s play (PDF)

 

 

 

 


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