Mu2.2

MU2.2  
1.1 Observe and record aspects of the development of a child or young person.

What are observations?
Observations help track children’s progress growth, development and their interests, also what they are learning through their play experiences. We do this by watching and listening to the children, taking notes of what we see and hear. It’s important that practitioners and parents share this information about the child’s development. The EYP can decide whether the child’s development is at the expected stage and if the resources available are suitable for the child and to focus them on what to provide in future to support the child to develop, new interests, learn new skills and knowledge.

Why do we do observations?  
We do observations because each child has different abilities, interests and learning speeds. The observations provide practitioners with reliable information about children as individuals.

How do they link to planning?
There are many reasons why observations are vital when planning to make sure government guidelines are met. Observations take place on a regular basis as part of routines. Each child has a unique set of abilities and talent.   Planning is about meeting the children’s individual needs so that they can play and learn happily in ways which help them develop new skills and knowledge. Discussing observations with parents and staff members will ensure that the child is always central to what is planned. Observations also help with identifying the stages of a child’s development and help to recognise a child who is not meeting milestones for their expected stage.

MU2.2
1.2 Identify different observation methods and know why they are used.
Narrative method:   A detailed account of everything a child or young person does as it happens.
Checklist: A chart used to tick off skills as they are achieved.
Event sample: A quick description of the behaviour observed, recorded after the event.
Time sample: A record every time a...