{"id":383,"date":"2013-10-16T15:13:18","date_gmt":"2013-10-16T15:13:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/allied-health\/?page_id=383"},"modified":"2026-03-28T23:38:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T23:38:40","slug":"cdp-observingyoungchildren","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/allied-health\/cdp-observingyoungchildren\/","title":{"rendered":"CDP4: Observing young children"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>This page discusses how becoming an astute and sensitive observer of young children\u2019s behaviour is key to understanding each child individually and providing them with the best care.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A focus on child development requires us to be keen observers. To observe a&nbsp;young child&nbsp;refers to paying careful attention to a child&#8217;s behavior, growth, skills and abilities; then recording in some systematic way what has been observed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"291\" src=\"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/allied-health\/files\/2025\/06\/AZkBarYUCropRSZ.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6723\" style=\"width:230px;height:auto\" title=\"LSP1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/allied-health\/files\/2025\/06\/AZkBarYUCropRSZ.jpg 350w, https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/allied-health\/files\/2025\/06\/AZkBarYUCropRSZ-300x249.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are&nbsp;a variety of reasons why we observe including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>to track progress for individual abilities, skills and achievements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>to consider individual and group interests<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>to analyze or plan&nbsp;a program, schedule or activities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>to share information with colleagues or parents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>to better understand challenging behaviours<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When we write up&nbsp;the details of an&nbsp;observation, being <strong>objective<\/strong> is extremely important. Being objective means noting down facts only. For example, the statement \u2018This coat costs $200\u2019 is objective. When a statement includes your personal opinion, it is considered <strong>subjective.<\/strong> \u2018This coat looks great on you\u2019 or \u2018this coat is so expensive\u2019 are subjective statements.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recording an observation objectively is like being a human video camera &#8211;&nbsp;recording what one sees and&nbsp;hears from a child or children and the surroundings,&nbsp;without making judgments or interpretations. Interpretations come later when you consider what the observation means &#8211; for example, in order to plan appropriate activities&nbsp;or&nbsp;make schedule changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Try the following activity to see how well you can differentiate between objective and subjective statements.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"lazyblock-interact-1UTBnQ wp-block-lazyblock-interact\"><div class=\"interact-link context-container\">\n  <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/hscsr.rrc.ca\/secd\/interactions\/primer-objectiveAndSubjective\/primer-objectiveAndSubjective.html\" class=\"tap-container interact\">\n    <div class=\"tap-icon\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"tap-content\">\n      <span class=\"tap-label\">INTERACT<\/span>\n      <span class=\"tap-description\">Objective and subjective<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Anecdotal records<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People who work with young children always observe children in real life settings. A popular method of recording observations is the <strong>anecdotal record<\/strong>. This write-up tells a story (an anecdote) of what happened for a child or group of children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every recorded observation should start with some key details, such as:&nbsp;name(s) and age(s) of who is being observed,&nbsp;date, time, location\/activity, and the observer&#8217;s name. If something out of the ordinary has transpired, that should be noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It can be hard to find time in the course of a busy day to observe and record events &#8220;live&#8221;,&nbsp;as they happen. A common situation is that an adult notices something of interest going on with a child or children, makes some quick notes to remember the main details, then soon after writes up the <strong>remembered anecdote<\/strong> more fully. The following is an example of an anecdotal observation.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"lazyblock-key-full-Z1BymAH wp-block-lazyblock-key-full\"><div class=\"key-full\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Example&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Name: Keesha, age 2.5,<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Date\/Time: 9:00&nbsp; AM September 25<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Location: Big playroom<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Observer: Rosalie D\u2019Souza<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Keesha (age 2.5) smiled when she arrived at the centre and immediately walked over to the water table. \u2018Boats,\u2019 <\/em><em>she said. \u2018Want red boat.\u2019 She picked up the red boat and held it close to her face for a minute, looking at all sides and then submerged it into the water, making \u2018rrrr, rrrr\u2019 sounds. Eden put his hand on the boat and pulled it away. Keesha looked at him and looked towards a nearby ECE and then picked up the yellow boat.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"lazyblock-reflect-Zcunvs wp-block-lazyblock-reflect\"><div class=\"reflect\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Can you think of some examples that would be important to note in an anecdotal record?<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"sspdBookMarkMod12a\">An anecdotal record should include key information about what occurred, what was said, body language, facial expressions and reactions. Practice writing an anecdotal record using the videos below.\u00a0 Use this <a href=\"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/transcript\/worksheet-observing-young-children-what-do-you-notice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">worksheet <\/a>to jot down highlights of what&#8217;s happening as you watch,\u00a0then use those notes to write up the anecdote after the video ends. With another video, try recording it &#8220;live&#8221; by writing things as you watch.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"lazyblock-watch-expand-thumbnail-Z2h1XSp wp-block-lazyblock-watch-expand-thumbnail\"><div class=\"watch-expand expand-container context-container\">\n   <div class=\"watch tap-to-expand tap-container\">\n      <div class=\"tap-icon\"><\/div>\n      <div class=\"video-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/play\/files\/2024\/12\/babyPlay.png\"><\/div>\n      <div class=\"tap-content\">\n         <span class=\"tap-label\">VIEW<\/span><span class=\"tap-description\">Baby play (4:02)<\/span>      \n         \n      <\/div>\n   <\/div>\n   <div class=\"output-content collapse\" style=\"height: auto;\">\n      <div class=\"vimeo-container\"><iframe frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"\" mozallowfullscreen=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\" src=\"\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/90455999?api=1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"lazyblock-watch-expand-thumbnail-transcript1-Z1SItgu wp-block-lazyblock-watch-expand-thumbnail-transcript1\"><div class=\"watch-expand expand-container context-container\">\n   <div class=\"watch tap-to-expand tap-container\">\n      <div class=\"tap-icon\"><\/div>\n      <div class=\"video-thumbnail\">\n         <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/play\/files\/2026\/03\/Alexiss-bus.jpg\">\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"tap-content\">\n         <span class=\"tap-label\">VIEW<\/span>\n         <span class=\"tap-description\">Alexis&#8217;s bus (3:45)<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n   <\/div>\n   <div class=\"output-content collapse\" style=\"height: auto;\">\n      <div class=\"vimeo-container\">\n         <iframe frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"\" mozallowfullscreen=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\" src=\"\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1002895084?api=1         \"><\/iframe>\n      <\/div>\n      <br>\n      <p>\n         <a href=\"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/transcript\/transcript-alexis-bus\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n            Alexis&#8217;s bus &#8211; Text Transcript         <\/a>\n      <\/p>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"lazyblock-watch-expand-thumbnail-1KruNb wp-block-lazyblock-watch-expand-thumbnail\"><div class=\"watch-expand expand-container context-container\">\n   <div class=\"watch tap-to-expand tap-container\">\n      <div class=\"tap-icon\"><\/div>\n      <div class=\"video-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/allied-health\/files\/2022\/05\/106526827.jpg\"><\/div>\n      <div class=\"tap-content\">\n         <span class=\"tap-label\">VIEW<\/span><span class=\"tap-description\">The doll I was looking for every day (3:59)<\/span>      \n         \n      <\/div>\n   <\/div>\n   <div class=\"output-content collapse\" style=\"height: auto;\">\n      <div class=\"vimeo-container\"><iframe frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"\" mozallowfullscreen=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\" src=\"\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/106526827?api=1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the next videos, you may not be able to record the dialogue but see if you can record&nbsp;what the children are doing and their&nbsp;facial expressions. The first video was filmed in Pakistan, the second in Afghanistan, and the third in Tajikistan.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"lazyblock-watch-expand-thumbnail-Z1qsCXQ wp-block-lazyblock-watch-expand-thumbnail\"><div class=\"watch-expand expand-container context-container\">\n   <div class=\"watch tap-to-expand tap-container\">\n      <div class=\"tap-icon\"><\/div>\n      <div class=\"video-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/allied-health\/files\/2022\/05\/90186762.jpg\"><\/div>\n      <div class=\"tap-content\">\n         <span class=\"tap-label\">VIEW<\/span><span class=\"tap-description\">Come friends and swing (2:48)<\/span>      \n         \n      <\/div>\n   <\/div>\n   <div class=\"output-content collapse\" style=\"height: auto;\">\n      <div class=\"vimeo-container\"><iframe frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"\" mozallowfullscreen=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\" src=\"\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/90186762?api=1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"lazyblock-watch-expand-thumbnail-Z1dlXMQ wp-block-lazyblock-watch-expand-thumbnail\"><div class=\"watch-expand expand-container context-container\">\n   <div class=\"watch tap-to-expand tap-container\">\n      <div class=\"tap-icon\"><\/div>\n      <div class=\"video-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/allied-health\/files\/2022\/05\/90198564.jpg\"><\/div>\n      <div class=\"tap-content\">\n         <span class=\"tap-label\">VIEW<\/span><span class=\"tap-description\">Pretend play (2:21)<\/span>      \n         \n      <\/div>\n   <\/div>\n   <div class=\"output-content collapse\" style=\"height: auto;\">\n      <div class=\"vimeo-container\"><iframe frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"\" mozallowfullscreen=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\" src=\"\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/90198564?api=1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"lazyblock-watch-expand-thumbnail-Z1S9yn4 wp-block-lazyblock-watch-expand-thumbnail\"><div class=\"watch-expand expand-container context-container\">\n   <div class=\"watch tap-to-expand tap-container\">\n      <div class=\"tap-icon\"><\/div>\n      <div class=\"video-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/allied-health\/files\/2022\/05\/90198254.jpg\"><\/div>\n      <div class=\"tap-content\">\n         <span class=\"tap-label\">VIEW<\/span><span class=\"tap-description\">Playing with natural materials (4:23)<\/span>      \n         \n      <\/div>\n   <\/div>\n   <div class=\"output-content collapse\" style=\"height: auto;\">\n      <div class=\"vimeo-container\"><iframe frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"\" mozallowfullscreen=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\" src=\"\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/90198254?api=1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"lazyblock-reflect-1c2LYJ wp-block-lazyblock-reflect\"><div class=\"reflect\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How did you do? Was it challenging to remember specific details?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Were some things easier or harder when you recorded the anecdote live, as you watched the video, compared to the remembered anecdote?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you would like to try this technique in a real life situation, how would you prepare for it?<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"sspdBookMarkMod12b\">As noted earlier, observations are written objectively but the second step is to make meaning of it with a   <strong>subjective&nbsp;interpretation<\/strong>. &nbsp;In order to make&nbsp;interpretations of&nbsp;what has been observed, you have to understand child development. For example, is a child doing something that is typical for children that age?&nbsp;Why is she behaving this way? Ideally, you should also know the children you are observing and be familiar&nbsp;enough to know whether&nbsp;what you observe on a given day is typical or unusual for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let&#8217;s revisit our example and include a subjective interpretation.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"lazyblock-key-full-ZMDcXo wp-block-lazyblock-key-full\"><div class=\"key-full\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Anecdotal Observation<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Keesha (age 2.5) smiled when she arrived at the centre and immediately walked over to the water table. \u2018Boats\u2019<\/em><em><s>; <\/s><\/em><em>she said. \u2018Want red boat\u2019 She picked up the red boat and held it close to her face for a minute, looking at all sides and then submerged it into the water, making \u2018rrrr, rrrr\u2019 sounds. Eden put his hand on the boat and pulled it away. Keesha looked at him and looked towards a nearby ECE and then picked up the yellow boat.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Subjective Interpretation<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Arrivals are getting easier for Keesha and it seems she is getting used to daycare, enjoys the play materials and is learning to cope with being among other children. When I saw how much she enjoyed the water table yesterday, we made sure it was available this morning when she arrived. I am going to watch to make sure she is able to stand up for herself if this is needed but otherwise we are letting her explore and play as she chooses.&nbsp;<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"lazyblock-reflect-23AGff wp-block-lazyblock-reflect\"><div class=\"reflect\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keeping in mind the limitation that you don&#8217;t know the children for whom you wrote the practice anecdotal reports, go back to those write-ups and see if you can make some interpretations of your observations. Interpretations are often brief speculations about why children are doing what they&#8217;re doing. Remember, this is your chance to be subjective.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you have a series of anecdotal records and interpretations &#8211; for individuals or for groups of&nbsp;children &#8211; it&nbsp;provides a way to reflect on changes over time. For example, if a child has trouble transitioning (moving)&nbsp;from one activity to another, you could observe several instances and&nbsp;write up the details using anecdotal records. You would make interpretations, based on your knowledge of child development and&nbsp;familiarity with that particular child.&nbsp;&nbsp;Then, reviewing the records and interpretations together&nbsp;may suggest possible reasons for the child&#8217;s difficulties as well as possible solutions. As you try different solutions, you could use anecdotal records to keep track of how the&nbsp;child responds. This can help you to identify the best way to support the child so that transitions go smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anecdotal records are just one type of observation method and just one aspect of documenting growth and development.&nbsp;Some other methods&nbsp;involve watching for and counting instances of&nbsp;specific behaviours. Rating scales and assessments are other ways to observe and record development. Documentation can include things like photos, videotapes, and examples of a child&#8217;s art or other &#8220;work&#8221;. Having a complete picture of a child is really important for seeing each child as an individual. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Complete the following quiz to review the content on this page. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"lazyblock-interact-1s68TW wp-block-lazyblock-interact\"><div class=\"interact-link context-container\">\n  <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/hscsr.rrc.ca\/secd\/interactions\/primer-observingYoungChildrenQuiz\/primer-observingYoungChildrenQuiz.html\" class=\"tap-container interact\">\n    <div class=\"tap-icon\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"tap-content\">\n      <span class=\"tap-label\">INTERACT<\/span>\n      <span class=\"tap-description\">Observing young children quiz<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Knowing about the importance of observation, prepares you to explore the next topic: Positive Guidance. Observation enhances your understanding of children, equipping you to support and guide them in a positive and effective manner.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This page discusses how becoming an astute and sensitive observer of young children\u2019s behaviour is key to understanding each child individually and providing them with the best care. A focus on child development requires us to be keen observers. To observe a&nbsp;young child&nbsp;refers to paying careful attention to a child&#8217;s behavior, growth, skills and abilities; [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-383","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/allied-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/383","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/allied-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/allied-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/allied-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/allied-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=383"}],"version-history":[{"count":48,"href":"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/allied-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/383\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6809,"href":"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/allied-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/383\/revisions\/6809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/allied-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=383"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}