Childs Development: Observation Tools for Classroom

Type of observation tools for Classroom.
Institution
Date
Observation is a paramount aspect of learning in early days of child's development. There is more to observing children than just watching them. To collect useful data through observation, one need skills and specific tools to be able to grasp meaningful information. Observation tools help one learn, identify, and record what they are looking for. Using these tools, an individual will clearly document what he or she see, observe and learn in the process. The following paragraphs detail observation of children between ages of two months to five years in a classroom context. Tools used include running record, anecdotal recording, journal recording, and stoichiometric recording.
The anecdotal record for 2months-2years in a classroom setting.
Student name: Karl jenny
Age: 1year 8 months
Date and time: 2/5/16; 10:20
Place of observation:
Place of learning: classroom
Purpose
To observe jenny’s interaction with learning materials in class
Jenny played with picture book while in class. She is sited next to Wendy. Both Wendy and Jenny are looking at the picture book. Jenny ask Wendy to help her read. "I don’t know how to read" Wendy tell Jenny. "But we can look at the picture and draw them" Jenny Reply to Wendy. Both Wendy and Jenny are immersed in the picture book. Class is going on and the topic of the day is drawing with crayons. Wendy doesn’t like crayons, she does not like drawing either. Jenny explains to Wendy what the crayons is. She seems to know colors by name. Jenny picks a purple colored crayon and tell Wendy "this is purple, we will use it to draw a flower". Wendy seems interested and ask jenny to bring the first flower.
Other children are looking, Wendy appear to be interested in a group playing outside, and jenny on the other hand is looking at the picture book. She is drawing a flower, she has all the crayons on her table. She is copying a picture from the picture book and drawing a similar picutre of the flower on a blank sheet. Wendy seems interested she begins to draw to. Jenny helps Wendy chose a flower of her own. She gives her a red crayon and tell her "red flower is beautiful". Wendy begin to color her flower.
Analysis
Jenny can interact very well with learning materials in a classroom setting. She knows the picture book and knows what picture are in it. Jenny also understands crayons and their purposes. She picks a purple crayon and explains to Wendy what color it is and its purpose. Using anecdotal recording and observation, we can be able to gain insight into what Jenny know and what she doesn't. According to (Lingo, Barton-Arwood, & Jolivette,2011).) anecdotal record help the teacher understand what the child already know and aid in developing what the child should know.
The anecdotal record for 3-5 years in a classroom setting.
Student name: Melanie Jane
Age: 4 years
Date and time: 2/5/16; 10:20
Place of observation:
Place of learning: classroom
Purpose
To observe Melanie’s language and sentence and use of vocabulary
Melanie talks freely about objects around her in class. She says "look Stephen has new shoes." Melanie can see and identify new shoes that Stephen has. She tell her friend Lisa that "last night I wore my mother coat" Melanie relates to objects around her and those that are not close. Melanie stood up and walk to the girl at the front and tell her "hey take this" Melanie gives the girl her pencil and run back to her spot. I tell Melanie to get the pencil back, and she said: "I want ice-cream and don't like chocolate."
At the end of class, Melanie says "I want to sit with Debby at lunch" I tell her it is okay. She says a pen "I want to use this thermometer to measure your temperature." I tell Melanie that that is not a thermometer it is a pen. She looks at me and walks away without a word.
Analysis
Melanie can use both simple and complex sentences in her construction. She is confident on interaction with peers and the teacher. She can associate words with concepts like a pen and a thermometer. The child can talk freely about items around her, like Stephen's shoes, she is also able to talk about things that are not around her, things that happened in the past and she also uses vocabulary related to other subjects like the thermometer (Pianta, La Paro,& Hamre, 2008)
Running record for 3years- 5years old.
Name: Ken
Date2.5.16
Time 10:35-10:40
Age: 4 years
Location: Classroom
Observation objective: to observe children social and emotional development during dramatic setting.
Physical environment
The dramatic play is set in a classroom; it has flower stand, shopping basket, aprons, various flowers, cashier point and wrapping papers.
Record of speech and action

Comments and analysis

10:45.Ken tells Judy, "play ‘ flower shop' with me" Judy walks into the area and asks "can I be the seller" Ken declines says " no I am the seller you see I have the apron on, and I know about the followers more than you." Ken walks towards the cashier point and attempts to arrange the flower stand, Judy stand looking at him. Judy is not happy; she tells Ken she wants flowers wrapped in yellow ribbons, Ken does not have the yellow ribbons but convince Judy that blue ribbons are better. Judy picks the flower and gives Ken imaginary money for payment.

Ken seems domineering, he manages to be the seller and then convince Judy to take the blue ribbon instead of yellow ribbon. Both children take active parts in role playing and are enjoying it. They also have an active imagination.

10:37. Ken arranges flowers in different styles while also for some time, he tells Mark, which is seated next that "I am going to make a bouquet of flowers and give our teacher as a gift." Mark moves closer to flowers and Ken tells him "be careful they will stain your shirt." Mark takes a wrap and improvises an apron and then take a few flowers to help Ken make the bouquet. Judy comes back and claims she wants a bigger bouquet.

Ken uses tense well, and he manages to use future tense by saying that he is going to make a bouquet. Ken assumes a responsible role. He tells Mark to stay away from the flowers do they don't stain his shirt.

10; 40. Calvin and Carol walk in and pick the bouquet made by Ken and Mark. Calvin says "can I buy Carol this flowers" Carol smile and looks happy. Mark removes flower delivery card and writes Calvin and Carol on it. Both Carol and Calvin and Mark are bemused, and they seem to be giggling. Carol pick the flowers and leave to play with girls as Calvin remain with the boys in the flower shop.

Again the children are taking an active part in role playing and turn taking. Calvin knows ladies love flowers, so he pretends to be buying a flower for Carol. Mark o...