Observing children’s play

 Why observing children’s play is important

Observations of children’s play gives the observer a collection of important information. It provides information about the learner in respect of them as individual. Observations form a part of the EYFS assessment and planning cycle. They are a great tool to use as a basis for reflection.

When working in a childcare setting observing children’s play becomes part of the practitioner’s responsibility. It is down to leaders and managers to ensure practitioners are confident in carrying out observations and understand the purpose of them.

Observing children’s play is about sitting back and watching what is happening, depending on the type of observation you are using will determine the purpose of the observation. Many settings follow the simple rule LOOK, LISTEN AND NOTE. By remembering this will help provide you with the answers you are looking for in your observation.

There are many reasons why we observe children’s play these may be influenced by certain factors however the general purpose will be to;

• Find out more about the child or group of children
• Evaluate the provision
• Observe and monitor practitioners practice
• Find out how children respond to certain activities
• Find out how children’s skills are developing
• Observe the interactions between adult and children
• Observe child’s language development
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the rooms routine
• Observe children’s patterns of behaviours
• Find out children’s patterns of friendships

There are many different types observations here is a helpful video explaining what they are.