{"id":39,"date":"2026-07-02T04:07:58","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T04:07:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/observationandassessment\/chapter\/conclusion-2\/"},"modified":"2026-07-03T23:42:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T23:42:01","slug":"conclusion-2","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/observationandassessment\/chapter\/conclusion-2\/","title":{"raw":"Observation Guidance","rendered":"Observation Guidance"},"content":{"raw":"
\r\n

Dos and Don'ts of Documentation<\/h2>\r\nWhether performing a planned or spontaneous observation here are some helpful tips to ensure you are recording quality evidence:\r\n\r\nObservation and Documentation Do\u2019s and Don\u2019ts\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Observation and Documentation DOs:<\/th>\r\nObservation and Documentation DON\u2019Ts<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Note the date, time, setting, and situation<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Note the child (or children) involved\r\nand ages<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Record only the facts \u2013 in a concise (to\r\nthe point) manner<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. Record the facts in the order as they occur and exactly as you see it<\/li>\r\n \t
  5. Collect vivid details and quotes<\/li>\r\n \t
  6. Use a variety of Observation Methods<\/li>\r\n \t
  7. Observe with an open heart, an open\r\nmind and a clear lens, free of bias<\/li>\r\n \t
  8. Be attentive and alert, and use all your\r\nsenses<\/li>\r\n \t
  9. Note what the child CAN DO rather than what he cannot do<\/li>\r\n \t
  10. Keep a low profile and respect the children\u2019s space while they are playing<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Do not interfere or pressure the children to perform<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Do not assume or state your opinion\r\nwhile recording evidence<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Do not record anything you do not see<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. Avoid making the errors of\r\ntransmission, omission, or commission<\/li>\r\n \t
  5. Do not label behaviors, actions or feelings<\/li>\r\n \t
  6. Avoid using subjective, bias or judgmental terms<\/li>\r\n \t
  7. Avoid using exaggerations and conditional words<\/li>\r\n \t
  8. Do not summarize information<\/li>\r\n \t
  9. Avoid using generalizations or vague terms<\/li>\r\n \t
  10. Keep interpretations and evaluations separate from the actual observation<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
    \r\n\r\n

    Conclusion<\/h2>\r\nTo become a skilled observer takes time and practice (Gronlund & James, 2013). You will need to figure out your rhythm so that you can incorporate observation and documentation into your regular routine. As an intentional teacher, you will want to plan systematic observations so that you can document each child\u2019s unique qualities, interests, developmental strengths and needs, as well as uncover their cultural practices, approaches to learning and play preferences throughout the school year.\r\n\r\nAs you gather evidence you will want to be as objective as you can be, and you will have to recognize your biases. As you collect your documentation on each child, you will want to organize it in a chronological manner and store it safely. Lastly, be sure to observe every child in your class, be aware that some children may catch your attention more than others for one reason or another. In the next chapter, we will examine several observation tools and techniques that you will want to use as part of your regular observation routine to ensure high-quality practices.","rendered":"
    \n

    Dos and Don’ts of Documentation<\/h2>\n

    Whether performing a planned or spontaneous observation here are some helpful tips to ensure you are recording quality evidence:<\/p>\n

    Observation and Documentation Do\u2019s and Don\u2019ts<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Observation and Documentation DOs:<\/th>\nObservation and Documentation DON\u2019Ts<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    \n
      \n
    1. Note the date, time, setting, and situation<\/li>\n
    2. Note the child (or children) involved
      \nand ages<\/li>\n
    3. Record only the facts \u2013 in a concise (to
      \nthe point) manner<\/li>\n
    4. Record the facts in the order as they occur and exactly as you see it<\/li>\n
    5. Collect vivid details and quotes<\/li>\n
    6. Use a variety of Observation Methods<\/li>\n
    7. Observe with an open heart, an open
      \nmind and a clear lens, free of bias<\/li>\n
    8. Be attentive and alert, and use all your
      \nsenses<\/li>\n
    9. Note what the child CAN DO rather than what he cannot do<\/li>\n
    10. Keep a low profile and respect the children\u2019s space while they are playing<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n
      \n
    1. Do not interfere or pressure the children to perform<\/li>\n
    2. Do not assume or state your opinion
      \nwhile recording evidence<\/li>\n
    3. Do not record anything you do not see<\/li>\n
    4. Avoid making the errors of
      \ntransmission, omission, or commission<\/li>\n
    5. Do not label behaviors, actions or feelings<\/li>\n
    6. Avoid using subjective, bias or judgmental terms<\/li>\n
    7. Avoid using exaggerations and conditional words<\/li>\n
    8. Do not summarize information<\/li>\n
    9. Avoid using generalizations or vague terms<\/li>\n
    10. Keep interpretations and evaluations separate from the actual observation<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
      \n

      Conclusion<\/h2>\n

      To become a skilled observer takes time and practice (Gronlund & James, 2013). You will need to figure out your rhythm so that you can incorporate observation and documentation into your regular routine. As an intentional teacher, you will want to plan systematic observations so that you can document each child\u2019s unique qualities, interests, developmental strengths and needs, as well as uncover their cultural practices, approaches to learning and play preferences throughout the school year.<\/p>\n

      As you gather evidence you will want to be as objective as you can be, and you will have to recognize your biases. As you collect your documentation on each child, you will want to organize it in a chronological manner and store it safely. Lastly, be sure to observe every child in your class, be aware that some children may catch your attention more than others for one reason or another. In the next chapter, we will examine several observation tools and techniques that you will want to use as part of your regular observation routine to ensure high-quality practices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"menu_order":7,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"Guidance","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":"cc-by-nc-sa"},"chapter-type":[50],"contributor":[],"license":[58],"class_list":["post-39","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry","chapter-type-numberless","license-cc-by-nc-sa"],"part":87,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/observationandassessment\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/39","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/observationandassessment\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/observationandassessment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/observationandassessment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/observationandassessment\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/39\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":387,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/observationandassessment\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/39\/revisions\/387"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/observationandassessment\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/87"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/observationandassessment\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/39\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/observationandassessment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/observationandassessment\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=39"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/observationandassessment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=39"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/observationandassessment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=39"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}