Observing Young Children
- Tina Bruce - Honorary Visiting Professor at University of Roehampton
- Stella Louis
- Georgie McCall
This is a book about the process of finding user-friendly and purposeful ways of observing and planning that will help those who are working with young children in a variety of settings to look with insight at children, providing what they need in order to develop and learn optimally. By examining the historic background of observing and planning, and describing examples of good practice in different group settings, this book will help to monitor a child's progress - what is needed now and to work out what is needed next.
The real life case studies from various settings including day care, nursery school, primary school, private sector and Soweto examine different observation techniques, looking at their strengths, drawbacks and use in everyday practice. Examples from the UK and internationally illustrate the history and importance of observation in a range of contexts, while a glossary clearly explains the key terminology. All the examples given in this book can be used with different National Framework documents worldwide, bearing in mind however the authors' belief that curriculum frameworks must be used as a resource and never as a limiting straitjacket.
Drawing on key theory and research, the book's chapters cover:
- Flexible planning
- Record keeping
- Working with parents
- Using technology.
Full colour photographs, illustrations and useful charts and diagrams make this an accessible and engaging resource that will no doubt be invaluable to any early years practitioner. This book was originally published as Getting to Know You - part of the 0-8 series.
Great to have a text about Observing at this level, very useful to support students starting a foundation degree with no early years background, and for underpinning knowledge to support student research projects
Wonderful resource from a reliable source.
Once again Tina Bruce writes a highly accessible text that contextualises the role of observations in everyday practice. The text enables students to understand the complexities of observing professionally in a manner that is suited to learners new to this process and to practitioners aiming to refine their skills
A useful text on observation and assessment that helps students to recognise the differentiated developmental pathways of children and the value of including parents.
some interesting perspectives on observation for all levels of early years students
This is a very easy to access book for students and has been invaluable as a teaching and learning tool on the Observing Children module.
This book is a must for all childcare practitioners. This has become an invaluable resource within my teaching. Has been receommended for our library.
Provides a well written account.
Excellent. Explains clearly the rationale for practitioner observation to inform pedagogy. Suitable for practitioners at all levels in EY
This is a current companion to observing children in the early years. My students have already found this text invaluable in carrying out different observations and the importance of record keeping and planning.
