ABSTRACT
It takes time to master the skill of observing children, i.e. to develop eyes that can spot individual differences. This is because there is just so
of playing, not really aware that observers might be left behind. This is why practitioners often feel overwhelmed by recording examples of behaviour that can build into a useful profile of a child’s progress. However, when they see how different recordings (always named and dated) come together, they can be convinced that their own detail is valuable in compiling a meaningful picture. Sometimes, experienced and new observers may see different things when they observe the same child, but this can add to the richness of discussion. Having the observer’s name added to the recording can also show the range of things each observer sees. The best plan is to video the children, especially when these discrepancies occur, for then the tape can be replayed and paused at relevant points, giving observers time to review their observations, possibly from a different perspective. Having a video also lets absent staff or parents share specially interesting moments of progress.
