This guide will help you answer 2.1 Evaluate observation methods: Event Sample, Time Sample, Sociogram, Narrative / Free Description, Target Child, Checklist, Child Tracker / Movement Record.
Observing children’s behaviour in early years settings is vital. It helps practitioners understand children’s development and plan suitable activities. In this guide, we’ll explore various observation methods used in early years practice. Each method offers unique insights into different aspects of a child’s growth and behaviour.
Event Sample
An event sample is a focused observation technique. You use it to understand specific incidents or behaviours. You note each occurrence that meets pre-set criteria. This method can help identify triggers or patterns.
- Purpose: Ideal for analysing specific behaviours. Useful when you want to understand the frequency or cause of a behaviour, like tantrums.
- Advantages: Provides detailed, specific information. Useful for developing targeted interventions.
- Disadvantages: May miss the context since it focuses on isolated events. Not suitable for capturing the overall development.
Example: If a child hits peers during free play, you can use an event sample to track when, where, and why these incidents happen.
Time Sample
Time sampling is an observational technique that involves recording behaviour at regular intervals. You set specific times when you will observe and note what the child is doing.
- Purpose: Perfect for observing periodic behaviours. It gives a snapshot of behaviour over time.
- Advantages: Allows you to see patterns in behaviour. Useful for observing routines or states like attention span.
- Disadvantages: May miss significant behaviours that occur between observations.
Example: You might observe a child every five minutes during a classroom session to track attention or changes in activity.
Sociogram
A sociogram is a visual map showing relationships between individuals. It helps understand social interactions within a group.
- Purpose: Focuses on social relationships and dynamics. Useful for understanding social preferences or exclusions.
- Advantages: Visual representation makes it easy to identify social leaders or isolated children.
- Disadvantages: Relies on subjective data interpretation. Can be time-consuming to create.
Example: Use a sociogram to map friendships in a classroom. This can highlight which children may need help developing social skills.
Narrative / Free Description
This method involves writing a detailed account of what happens as it occurs. It’s a comprehensive way of capturing everything a child does over a period.
- Purpose: Captures a rich, holistic view of a child’s behaviour and environment.
- Advantages: Provides a detailed context. Can be useful for understanding how different factors influence each other.
- Disadvantages: Time-consuming to write and analyse. Can be overwhelming due to the volume of data.
Example: You might observe and record a child’s play session to understand how they use imagination and interact with peers.
Target Child
Target child observations focus on one child for a set period. You record activities, interactions, and speech to understand their development.
- Purpose: Offers an in-depth look at a single child. Useful for exploring individual developmental concerns.
- Advantages: Provides detailed personal insights. Helps create personalised care plans.
- Disadvantages: Requires undivided attention from the observer, potentially overlooking other children.
Example: Focus on a child showing delayed speech to assess progress and articulate needs.
Checklist
A checklist is a list of specific, observable behaviours or skills. You can quickly record the presence or absence of these traits as you observe.
- Purpose: Simplifies tracking of developmental milestones or behaviour patterns.
- Advantages: Quick and efficient. Useful for comparing behaviours across children.
- Disadvantages: Lacks detail and context. Can be too rigid for capturing fluid behaviours.
Example: Use a checklist to see if a child achieves expected milestones, such as sharing toys or recognising letters.
Child Tracker / Movement Record
This method involves tracking the physical movement of a child within a setting over time. It maps areas they frequent and the time spent.
- Purpose: Helps you understand a child’s movement patterns. Useful for space utilisation and engagement.
- Advantages: Highlights areas of interest and facilitates environment planning.
- Disadvantages: Can appear intrusive. It may not capture the motives behind movements.
Example: Track a child throughout the day to see if certain areas boost engagement or if settings need adjustments.
Choosing the Right Method
Choosing the right observation method depends on what you aim to study. Consider the following:
- Purpose of Observation: Are you focusing on social skills, individual development, or specific behaviours?
- Time and Resources Available: Some methods require more time and attention than others.
- Level of Detail Required: Do you need comprehensive data or just a quick check on specific behaviours?
Conclusion
Observation is a powerful tool in early years practice. Each method offers different insights, helping you tailor your approach to each child’s needs. By selecting appropriate methods, you ensure you understand and support children’s development effectively and holistically.
