Course Description
This course is designed to provide an overview of observation and assessment of children in the early childhood classroom, specific to children who are between the ages of 0-5. Students will learn the purpose and methods of observation and assessment in the early childhood setting and will come to understand NAEYC Guidelines for assessment of young children in early childhood settings. Students will also learn about state guidelines for early learning. During this course, students will explore the many and varied types of observation tools and will come to understand the integral role these assessment methods play in the cycle of intentional teaching and family involvement. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- ECE 101: Introduction to Early Childhood Education
- ECE 247: Child Development: Birth to Eight
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
SLOs | NAEYC Professional Preparation Standards | |
1 | Communicate understanding of the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment including its use in development of appropriate goals, curriculum, and teaching strategies for young children. | NAEYC 3a |
2 | Engage in guided practice with a particular focus on classroom observation. | NAEYC 3a |
3 | Identify the various uses of assessment. | NAEYC 3a |
4 | Explain how assessment may be used in positive ways; explain how inappropriate assessment may harm children and their families. | NAEYC 3a |
5 | Plan and implement research-based knowledge and demonstrate competence in observation, documentation, including the use of current appropriate assessment tools to gather and share information with families and professional colleagues. | NAEYC 3b |
6 | Observe children showing objectivity, fairness, and absence of bias. | NAEYC 3c |
7 | Identify the intended uses of assessment including observation, documentation and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches, including the use of technology in documentation, assessment, and data collection. | NAEYC 3c |
8 | Explain the value and importance of practicing responsible assessment to promote positive outcomes for each child. | NAEYC 3d |
General Education Outcomes (GEOs)
Please check the applicable GEOs for this course, if any, by outcomes at GEO Category Search, or by subject area at GEO Discipline Search.
Course Activities and Grading
Assignments | Weight |
---|---|
Discussions (5 discussions) | 15% |
Assignments (11 observation assignments) | 50% |
Reflections (4 reflections) | 15% |
Key Assessment | 20% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
- This course uses Open Educational Resources (OER). OER are openly licensed, educational resources that can be used for teaching, learning and research. OER may consist of a variety of resources such as textbooks, videos and software that are at little or no cost for students.
This course uses an etext available through Libretexts.
Additional Course Materials
- http://toddlers.ccdmd.qc.ca/
- http://toddlers.ccdmd.qc.ca/observing
- http://toddlers.ccdmd.qc.ca/about/about_the_participants
- http://toddlers.ccdmd.qc.ca/observing/positive_language
- Errald warms up in the morning - Infants & Toddlers - CCDMD
- http://toddlers.ccdmd.qc.ca/observing/analysis
- ABC records - Infants & Toddlers - CCDMD
- http://modules.ilabs.uw.edu/module/temperament/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka7XCyMlORI
- http://toddlers.ccdmd.qc.ca/observing/checklists
- Updating Moral Development Theory (nd.edu)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTtXha3Y_Zg
- http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~marksch/psyc26/The%20Play%20Observation%20Scale.pdf
- The Early Catastrophe (aft.org)
- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aH2p01-pQwo
Course Schedule
Week | NAEYC Professional Standards | Course Topics | Readings / Assignments |
1 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 | Introduction: Observation and Assessment
| Readings and/or Videos:
Assignments:
|
2 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 | Developing Skills to Observe
| Readings and/or Videos:
Assignments:
|
3 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 | Analyzing Observations
| Readings and/or Videos:
Assignments:
|
4 & 5 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 | Methods of Observation
| Readings and/or Videos
Assignments:
|
5 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 | Methods of Observation (cont.)
| Assignments:
|
6 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 | Meaningful Curriculum and Observing Play
| Readings and/or Videos
Assignments:
|
7 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 | Supporting Children’s Learning
| Readings and/or Videos
Assignments:
|
8 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 | ECERS
| Readings and/or Videos
Assignments:
|
COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.