ECED& 190: Observation /Assessment

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Class Program
Early Childhood Education
Credits 3 Lecture Hours 33

Collect and record observation data in order to plan for and support the child, the family, the group and the community. Practice reflection techniques, summarizing conclusions and communicating findings. Course may include fieldwork.

Quarters Offered
Winter,
Spring
Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge or skills:

Outcomes are aligned with the Washington State Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals and the National Association for the Education of Young Children Standards.

  1. Describe reasons for collecting observation and assessment data.
    Core Competencies: Area I: Child Growth & Development: 2e, Area III: On-going Measurement of Child Progress: 2d, 2f.
    NAEYC: Standard 3: Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families Key Element 3a.
  2. Identify indicators of growth, development, learning and social behaviors.
    Core Competencies: Area III: On-going Measurement of Child Progress: 2e, 3a, 3c.
    NAEYC: Standard 1: Promoting Child Development Key Elements 1a, 1b.
  3. Identify techniques for avoiding bias, judgments, and assumptions in observations.
    Core Competencies: Area I: Child Growth & Development: 2d, Area III: On-going Measurement of Child Progress: 2a, 3f.
    NAEYC: Standard 3: Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families Key Element 3c, Standard 6: Becoming a Professional Key Elements 6b, 6c.
  4. Collect factual, descriptive data using a variety of assessment tools and strategies.
    Core Competencies: Area III: On-going Measurement of Child Progress: 2b, Area VII: Program Planning & Development: 2g.
    NAEYC: Standard 3: Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families Key Element 3b, Standard 4: Using Developmentally Appropriate Practices to Connect with Children and Families Key Element 4b.
  5. Document and analyze assessment data for use in planning curriculum for individual and groups of children.
    Core Competencies: Area I: Child Growth & Development: 2f, Area III: On-going Measurement of Child Progress: 2c, 3b, Area V: Health, Safety & Nutrition-Responding to Health Needs of Children: 2g, Area VII: Program Planning & Development: 3f
    NAEYC: Standard 1: Promoting Child Development Key Elements 1c, 3c, 3d, 5c.
Course Content Outline
  1. Why Observe Children?
  2. How Do You Do Observation Well?
  3. How Do You Fit In Observations?
  4. How Do You Use Observations for Curriculum Planning?
  5. How Do You Build a Case About a Child?
Department Guidelines

Course may include, but not limited to the following activities:

  1. Student presentations on various topics outlined in textbook
  2. Washington State Early Learning Guidelines
  3. A Guide to Early Childhood Assessment (resource)
  4. Summaries of articles from professional journals, magazines, or websites
  5. Quizzes/assessments of student’s knowledge
  6. Observations in various early learning environments (infant/toddler, preschool, B-3, K-3, self-contained)
  7. Interviews of early childhood professionals
  8. Conduct screenings and assessments (Ages and Stages-ASQ, Teaching Strategies Gold-TSG, DAYC-2, etc.)
  9. Reflections of student learning
  10. Review of Washington State Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals
  11. Review of National Association for the Education of Young Children Standards
  12. Video clips to reinforce specific skills (via You Tube, etc)