29.4: Accurate Observations for Accurate Documentation

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Amanda Taintor

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The importance of Accuracy

Observation is like a photograph—it captures a moment in time. As an observer, you are like the photographer, focusing on some things, ignoring others. Like the photographer, you bring your ideas, preferences, and perceptions to the act of observing. (Jablon et al.,2007)

It takes practice to become a good observer. For caregivers, an essential aspect of being a respectful observer involves knowing that what they notice and how they interpret their observations about infants and toddlers may be influenced by many things. Culture, temperament, the presence of a delay or disability, personal experiences and relationships, professional knowledge, and even community values and messages in the media affect how caregivers and families see and experience children. Our gut reactions and carefully considered opinions influence our observation behaviors (Cagliari, 2004).

These lenses through which caregivers observe and interpret cause influence, even though they may not always be conscious of them. For example, two adults may see an infant fuss but interpret what the fussy behavior means and respond differently based on their own experiences, education, and culture (Cagliari, 2004). Observing young children involves self-awareness, and this awareness evolves.

Every person comes from a culture, and every family's culture is unique. Culture—attitudes, beliefs, expectations about people and events—shape caregivers as humans and early childhood professionals. For example, some cultures consider it respectful to look someone in the eye when speaking or being spoken to, while others consider it respectful to look down when someone is speaking. A caregiver whose culture values looking someone in the eye when speaking may think that a child or family member whose culture values eyes down when someone speaks is ignoring them or disrespectful. This interpretation can then influence the words used in observation.

Traits such as temperament (e.g., being cautious, outgoing, or sensitive; requiring order), personal interests and preferences, and feelings (e.g., what makes us feel excited, apprehensive, uncomfortable) also affect how adults relate to children. These traits may help them feel closer to children with similar characteristics. They may pay more attention to children with similar characteristics and observe them more frequently than other children. These traits may also drive adults away from children whose attributes are different. Caregivers may pay them less attention or interpret their behaviors more negatively. For example, a caregiver who has a high tolerance for bright lights, environmental noise, and excess materials on shelves and walls may have difficulty figuring out that those same things may overstimulate an infant who cries frequently.[1]

[1] U.S Department of Health and Human Services ECLKC Child observation: The heart of individualizing responsive care for infants and toddlers is in the public domain