Child observation simulator: young children

Scenario #2 – Observing Eli, Seth, Rhys and Thomas

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 of the children 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.

Schemas in children’s play (PDF)