Observations

Question 1

What is a checklist observation?

Answer 1

• tick/cross what the child is/isn’t doing

- find out what the child can and can’t do

Question 2

What are advantages of using a checklist observation?

Answer 2

• Find out what the child specifically can and can’t do
• it is quick and easy
• can help to plan activities to promote their next steps

Question 3

What are disadvantages of a checklist observation?

Answer 3

• doesn’t provide a lot of details

- may not be accurate as you can miss things

Question 4

What is an event sample?

Answer 4

• find out why a particular behaviour is happening

- find out what is happening when each time the behaviour occurs

Question 5

What are some advantages of an event sample?

Answer 5

• Can pick up patterns or triggers for a behaviour

- can be used to create/ check strategies

Question 6

What are some disadvantages of an event sample?

Answer 6

• Adults may not always be there to see what causes the events - - adults may forget to fill in the sheet promptly when observing

Question 7

What is a time sample?

Answer 7

• It shows what a child is doing during a given period of time
• can show a setting what activities a child enjoys
• show where the child goes and who they like to play with

Question 8

What are some advantages of a time sample?

Answer 8

• can show how they are social developing / interacting
• can be used to look at different aspects of their development
• can show what they like doing / playing with

Question 9

What is a narrative observation?

Answer 9

• where an observer Write down what they can see at the time

Question 10

What is a sociogram observation?

Answer 10

• children are asked about who they like to play with

Question 11

What are some advantages of a Narrative observation?

Answer 11

• needs no preparation

- can be used to observe all areas of development

Question 12

What are some disadvantages of a Narrative observation?

Answer 12

• can be hard to write everything down quickly

- can miss things out / record accurately

Question 13

What are some advantages of a sociogram observation?

Answer 13

• Can be used as a starting point to find out who children play with - can help to find out who Needs help making friends

Question 14

What are some disadvantages of sociogram conservation?

Answer 14

• Can be very unreliable (child may be absent) (child may forget)