{"id":186,"date":"2025-07-31T21:56:33","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T21:56:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/studentsuccess\/?post_type=chapter&p=186"},"modified":"2026-04-07T15:29:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T15:29:24","slug":"objective-observations","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/studentsuccess\/chapter\/objective-observations\/","title":{"raw":"Objective Observations","rendered":"Objective Observations"},"content":{"raw":"

Instructions May Vary<\/h2>\r\nWhile each instructor has individual assignment requirements you must follow for each in your various CHDV classes, we do have some standardized requirements for observations, lesson plans, and writing that apply to all CHDV courses.\r\n

Additional Tips<\/h3>\r\nIn addition to the observation guidelines in the previous section of this guide, here are some additional tips that will improve your written observations for all your classes.\r\n\r\nEach course and professor will require different types of observations, but there are some aspects for you to consider when writing any observation. Think of an observation as a slice of the child\u2019s developmental pie. All observations must be factual, free of opinion, and non-judgmental.\r\n\r\nTo increase the accuracy of observations, observe and record the behavior that is performed. Behavior is what you see or hear someone doing or saying. It is countable. A label is a general description of a person. It is often inaccurate and misleading. We record the behaviors and avoid the labels.\r\n\r\nTo observe children and to record those observations accurately, remember the following guidelines:\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. List the header information<\/strong>. Minimum requirements include date, time, name (pseudonym) and age of the child. Your professor might have additional items to list in this section. Always check your assignment.<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. RECORD ONLY WHAT YOU SEE and HEAR!<\/strong> Gather the facts. Think of yourself as a video camera, opinions, interpretations, and impressions are to be avoided. Here are a few words to avoid.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    I Statements<\/strong><\/th>\r\nSubjective Actions<\/strong><\/th>\r\nSubjective Feelings<\/strong><\/th>\r\nSubjective Thoughts<\/strong><\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    I like<\/strong><\/td>\r\n\u2026 is trying<\/td>\r\n\u2026 appears<\/td>\r\nIt looks like<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    I think<\/strong><\/td>\r\nLeaves, puts<\/td>\r\n\u2026 avoids<\/td>\r\n\u2026 wants<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    I believe<\/strong><\/td>\r\nGrabs, gets, goes, got<\/td>\r\n\u2026 likes or doesn\u2019t like<\/td>\r\n\u2026understands<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    I feel<\/strong><\/td>\r\nComes, moves<\/td>\r\n\u2026can\u2019t<\/td>\r\n\u2026meant<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    I\u2026<\/strong><\/td>\r\nPlays<\/td>\r\n\u2026feels<\/td>\r\nIt seems<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n
      \r\n \t
    1. Include the child\u2019s own words<\/strong>. Use quotation marks to document what the child says. Write it exactly as the child (or adult) says it.<\/li>\r\n \t
    2. Be positive<\/strong>. If the behavior is negative, state what occurred exactly as it occurred, without opinion or judgment.<\/li>\r\n \t
    3. Be specific<\/strong>. Record the events in the order that they happen, give details. For example, it is better to say, \u201cWilliam counts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 10.\u201d, instead of saying, \u201cWilliam tries to count to 10.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t
    4. Describe what the child is doing<\/strong>. Do not use \u201cJuan takes a block.\u201d instead describe \u201cJuan picks up a block with his right hand.\u201d Also, instead of saying, \u201cZoe gets up,\u201d describe her actions: \u201cZoe stands up and walks to the sink.\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t
    5. Use appropriate terminology<\/strong>. Use the word child NOT kid when describing a child. The word \u201ckid\u201d is a less formal word and should not be used when documenting children for observation purposes. Also, children at this age do not really know the true meaning of \u201cfriend\u201d. If you do not know a child\u2019s name, use the words \u201cgirl\u201d or \u201cboy\u201d instead of describing them as a \u201cfriend\u201d.<\/li>\r\n \t
    6. Know what is important in what you are recording<\/strong>. Review your assignment PRIOR to your observation. The classroom teacher\/provider\/caregiver\/parent does not know what you are to observe. Do not rely on them to answer any questions. Your professor is the only one who can answer specific questions about your assignment.<\/li>\r\n \t
    7. All observations papers must be in paragraph format<\/strong>. Do not bullet your notes. You must use complete sentences and grammar\/spell check any work to be turned in. Also be sure to follow APA format for all observations. Again, contact your professor with any questions.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","rendered":"

      Instructions May Vary<\/h2>\n

      While each instructor has individual assignment requirements you must follow for each in your various CHDV classes, we do have some standardized requirements for observations, lesson plans, and writing that apply to all CHDV courses.<\/p>\n

      Additional Tips<\/h3>\n

      In addition to the observation guidelines in the previous section of this guide, here are some additional tips that will improve your written observations for all your classes.<\/p>\n

      Each course and professor will require different types of observations, but there are some aspects for you to consider when writing any observation. Think of an observation as a slice of the child\u2019s developmental pie. All observations must be factual, free of opinion, and non-judgmental.<\/p>\n

      To increase the accuracy of observations, observe and record the behavior that is performed. Behavior is what you see or hear someone doing or saying. It is countable. A label is a general description of a person. It is often inaccurate and misleading. We record the behaviors and avoid the labels.<\/p>\n

      To observe children and to record those observations accurately, remember the following guidelines:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. List the header information<\/strong>. Minimum requirements include date, time, name (pseudonym) and age of the child. Your professor might have additional items to list in this section. Always check your assignment.<\/li>\n
      2. RECORD ONLY WHAT YOU SEE and HEAR!<\/strong> Gather the facts. Think of yourself as a video camera, opinions, interpretations, and impressions are to be avoided. Here are a few words to avoid.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        I Statements<\/strong><\/th>\nSubjective Actions<\/strong><\/th>\nSubjective Feelings<\/strong><\/th>\nSubjective Thoughts<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
        I like<\/strong><\/td>\n\u2026 is trying<\/td>\n\u2026 appears<\/td>\nIt looks like<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        I think<\/strong><\/td>\nLeaves, puts<\/td>\n\u2026 avoids<\/td>\n\u2026 wants<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        I believe<\/strong><\/td>\nGrabs, gets, goes, got<\/td>\n\u2026 likes or doesn\u2019t like<\/td>\n\u2026understands<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        I feel<\/strong><\/td>\nComes, moves<\/td>\n\u2026can\u2019t<\/td>\n\u2026meant<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        I\u2026<\/strong><\/td>\nPlays<\/td>\n\u2026feels<\/td>\nIt seems<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
          \n
        1. Include the child\u2019s own words<\/strong>. Use quotation marks to document what the child says. Write it exactly as the child (or adult) says it.<\/li>\n
        2. Be positive<\/strong>. If the behavior is negative, state what occurred exactly as it occurred, without opinion or judgment.<\/li>\n
        3. Be specific<\/strong>. Record the events in the order that they happen, give details. For example, it is better to say, \u201cWilliam counts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 10.\u201d, instead of saying, \u201cWilliam tries to count to 10.\u201d<\/li>\n
        4. Describe what the child is doing<\/strong>. Do not use \u201cJuan takes a block.\u201d instead describe \u201cJuan picks up a block with his right hand.\u201d Also, instead of saying, \u201cZoe gets up,\u201d describe her actions: \u201cZoe stands up and walks to the sink.\u201d<\/li>\n
        5. Use appropriate terminology<\/strong>. Use the word child NOT kid when describing a child. The word \u201ckid\u201d is a less formal word and should not be used when documenting children for observation purposes. Also, children at this age do not really know the true meaning of \u201cfriend\u201d. If you do not know a child\u2019s name, use the words \u201cgirl\u201d or \u201cboy\u201d instead of describing them as a \u201cfriend\u201d.<\/li>\n
        6. Know what is important in what you are recording<\/strong>. Review your assignment PRIOR to your observation. The classroom teacher\/provider\/caregiver\/parent does not know what you are to observe. Do not rely on them to answer any questions. Your professor is the only one who can answer specific questions about your assignment.<\/li>\n
        7. All observations papers must be in paragraph format<\/strong>. Do not bullet your notes. You must use complete sentences and grammar\/spell check any work to be turned in. Also be sure to follow APA format for all observations. Again, contact your professor with any questions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"menu_order":4,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"Objective","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":"cc-by"},"chapter-type":[48],"contributor":[],"license":[53],"class_list":["post-186","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry","chapter-type-standard","license-cc-by"],"part":123,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/studentsuccess\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/186","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/studentsuccess\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/studentsuccess\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/studentsuccess\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/studentsuccess\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/186\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":276,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/studentsuccess\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/186\/revisions\/276"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/studentsuccess\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/123"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/studentsuccess\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/186\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/studentsuccess\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=186"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/studentsuccess\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=186"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/studentsuccess\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=186"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/studentsuccess\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=186"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}