3.3 – Observation Tasks

In this session, you will practice observing in three ways. Then, you will write three observations based on what you have observed. Please follow the directions below. 

NOTE: you may get fidgety or bored. This is normal. Please push through the discomfort.

Observation 1: Classroom Observation

Observe what children are doing one by one and label them using their clothes or other defining features. Simply write things down as you notice them.

Observation 2: Child Observation

Take a moment to watch this video of Elijah (9 months).

Write down what you notice.

Use the topics from your notes to guide you. (I.e., Movement, communication, Concentration, Independence, Social Development, Emotional Development, Cognitive Development)

Please focus on the child’s development. Try not to have an ‘opinion’. We are not assessing anything else!

(It is important to honour the parent and child here; we are focusing just on the child’s development and only write what we see. We want to remove our attachment and emotion toward what is happening because all our perceptions are different)

https://montessori-ami.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=e9d76bbb-c37d-4ff2-a196-ad1d017ce2aa

Observation 3: Self Observation

Now, consider these two videos and your observation experience. Write down your own reactions, observing your own judgements.

For example: 

Were you frustrated? 

Did you want to change something about a child (or adult)? 

Did you have the urge to stop them from doing something in a certain way?

What else did you notice about yourself? 

RECORD AND UPLOAD THESE OBSERVATIONS BELOW

Create a Word document, labelling it as follows

3.3 – OBSERVATION TASKS

Your name:

Date:

Observation 1.

Observation 2.

Observation 3.

• You may use this document as a guide.