Unit Standard number 244475
Observe and report on child
development
1. Explain how you will use observations to assist you in assessing learners’ individual
development. (page 12)
Observations are recorded by watching a child and observing all that the child does, by asking
non-obtrusive questions and by listening. These observations are then used to assess the
learner’s individual development with regard to his/her interests, developmental level,
personality traits, required skills, strategies used during play. In the end, these observations help
you as a teacher to recognize the development of a child on a deeper level. These observations
assist us in collecting and using information to the benefit of the child.
2. Explain the observation process. (page 12)
Phase one: Being objective, recording everything precisely as you see it and in its complete form.
Phase two: Explaining or giving meaning to your descriptions (going beyond objective). This must
be done while considering the process of interpretation; asking ourselves if the environment is
suitable and if the child’s needs are being met, monitoring the child’s behaviour and if
misbehavior, being inappropriate, is fully understood by the child.
Phase three: Evaluate your findings, applying your values and attitudes to the learner’s
behaviour. This enables us to better understand the child while not being subjective.
3. Why do we observe children? (page 12)
We observe children because it allows us to assess all aspects of a child’s development on a
deeper level. It allows us to observe and assess areas which may normally be overlooked.
Observations enable us to gain a better understanding of a child’s behaviour and assist us in
collecting and using information to the benefit of the child.
4. How will you minimize bias and subjectivity when you do observations? (page 13)
Bias and subjectivity are minimized by being aware of the influences of subjective feelings and
reactions on the observation process. A systematic strategy must be used to gather information,
being careful not to ask questions that are considered bias in any way, whether it is cultural,
gender, or racially based. All sources of bias must be taken into account during these
observations.
5. Develop a plan that you will use for observation in your classroom. Make sure that you cover
the following aspects:
- A purpose for the observation
1|P a g e
Observe and report on child
development
1. Explain how you will use observations to assist you in assessing learners’ individual
development. (page 12)
Observations are recorded by watching a child and observing all that the child does, by asking
non-obtrusive questions and by listening. These observations are then used to assess the
learner’s individual development with regard to his/her interests, developmental level,
personality traits, required skills, strategies used during play. In the end, these observations help
you as a teacher to recognize the development of a child on a deeper level. These observations
assist us in collecting and using information to the benefit of the child.
2. Explain the observation process. (page 12)
Phase one: Being objective, recording everything precisely as you see it and in its complete form.
Phase two: Explaining or giving meaning to your descriptions (going beyond objective). This must
be done while considering the process of interpretation; asking ourselves if the environment is
suitable and if the child’s needs are being met, monitoring the child’s behaviour and if
misbehavior, being inappropriate, is fully understood by the child.
Phase three: Evaluate your findings, applying your values and attitudes to the learner’s
behaviour. This enables us to better understand the child while not being subjective.
3. Why do we observe children? (page 12)
We observe children because it allows us to assess all aspects of a child’s development on a
deeper level. It allows us to observe and assess areas which may normally be overlooked.
Observations enable us to gain a better understanding of a child’s behaviour and assist us in
collecting and using information to the benefit of the child.
4. How will you minimize bias and subjectivity when you do observations? (page 13)
Bias and subjectivity are minimized by being aware of the influences of subjective feelings and
reactions on the observation process. A systematic strategy must be used to gather information,
being careful not to ask questions that are considered bias in any way, whether it is cultural,
gender, or racially based. All sources of bias must be taken into account during these
observations.
5. Develop a plan that you will use for observation in your classroom. Make sure that you cover
the following aspects:
- A purpose for the observation
1|P a g e
