5.3: Observations Can Be Spontaneous or Planned

Learning Objectives

1. Differentiate between spontaneous and planned observations.
2. Identify the advantages and limitations of spontaneous observations.
3. Reflect on how both types of observations contribute to understanding children's growth and learning.

Spontaneous Observations

Spontaneous observations occur all the time. Whether professionals are actively engaged with their children during an activity or in the background cleaning up after it, they have numerous opportunities to see and hear some wonderful developments as they occur. According to Piaget, children require long, uninterrupted periods of play and exploration so that they can discover things for themselves. If we truly believe that children are capable of socializing, problem-solving, and creating complex systems with rules, then we can successfully use spontaneous observations to capture a child’s development as it unfolds naturally.

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Older infant crying while older brother watches. Image by Heather Carter is licensed CC BY-NC-SA 4.0	Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Older brother responds by kissing crying infant's forehead. Image by Heather Carter is licensed CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

As intentional professionals, we can also appreciate when teachable moments arise unexpectedly. These golden moments are noteworthy as well. For example, when we witness a child attempting to master a milestone, we may provide verbal support or guidance to scaffold their learning. For example, when Abraham is becoming frustrated with not being able to get a piece of his puzzle to fit, a teacher might ask, “What happens when you turn the piece around?” During spontaneous situations, we must remember to simultaneously make mental notes so that we can later write down and reflect on a more formal plan of action that can be later used to help the child achieve their developmental goals.

Let’s review the advantages and disadvantages associated with spontaneous observations.

Advantages

Being in the moment allows you to enjoy your children, and children appreciate your presence. When you are present, you can celebrate a child’s success or provide positive reinforcements to help them master major milestones. While being spontaneous, you can focus on the child’s interests and pose thoughtful questions to extend and enrich their learning experience. When a professional keeps a low profile, a child is less likely to be self-conscious or nervous.

Disadvantages

The longer you wait to document your spontaneous observation evidence, the harder it will be to remain objective and recall the vital details which is important when tracking behaviors or assessing development. Also, the more time that passes, the more difficult it will be to access accurate data. For example, by not documenting the children’s dialogue or capturing their key quotes in a timely manner, you may find it difficult to remember their actual word choices and use of vocabulary, which is essential for assessing a child’s expressive language development.

Planned Observations

Let’s now discuss focused or planned observations. Becoming a skilled observer takes practice. At first, you may be slightly overwhelmed with trying to incorporate an official observation time into your already busy schedule. You may struggle with finding that delicate balance between knowing when to interact with the children and realizing when to step back and observe. Once you do observe, you might be surprised by the amount of evidence you have collected on each child. What’s more, you will have to sift through all the evidence, and that can be both time-consuming and exhausting. Since your time is limited and you can't possibly observe everything, incorporating a planned observation will help you navigate your busy day and gather more specific evidence (James & Gronlund, 2013).

References, Contributors and Attributions

This section is a derivative from:

Peterson, G., Elam, E. & Studinka, D. (2020). Observation, assessment, and participation in early childhood. College of the Canyons, CA. https://www.palomar.edu/childdevelop...rly-childhood/ CC BY 4.0.

James, M. & Gronlund, G. (2nd ed.). (2013). Focused observations: How to observe young children for assessment and curriculum planning. Red Leaf Press.