Focused Observations, Third Edition

How to Observe Young Children for Assessment and Curriculum Planning

Gaye Gronlund, Marlyn James

• Publisher: Redleaf Press
• Year: 2025
• Print ISBN: 9781605541068
• eBook ISBN: 9781605548401
• Edition: 3
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Early Childhood Education

Intentional teaching begins with focused observations and systematic documentation of children's learning and development. Focused Observations, Third Edition, explains why observation is one of the best methods to get to know each child well, track progress, and plan individualized curriculum. It also provides tools and techniques to help you strengthen your observations, create portfolios with rich documentation, and support each child. You will also learn how to share your findings with families and grow as an observer through review and reflection activities. Learn answers to common questions about observation, including 

• Why should I use observation in my classroom? 
• What does effective observation and documentation look like? 
• How do I fit observation in so that it doesn't take away from teaching and interacting with children? 
• How do observation and documentation work with early learning guidelines? 

Online videos with nineteen vignettes of children in action provide opportunities to practice observing children and capturing what you see. This updated edition includes new examples and provider anecdotes as well as fresh references and research. 

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Memorial to Marlyn James
• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Why Observe Children?
• Chapter 2: How Do Observation and Documentation Work with Early Learning Guidelines and Calls for Accountability?
• Chapter 3: How Do You Do Observation and Documentation Well?
• Chapter 4: How Do You Fit in Observation and Documentation?
• Chapter 5: How Do You Observe and Document for Assessment?
• Chapter 6: How Do You Share Observation, Documentation, and Assessment Information with Families?
• Chapter 7: How Do You Use Observation and Documentation for Curriculum Planning?
• Chapter 8: How Do You Build a Case about a Child?
• Chapter 9: How Do You Continue to Grow as an Observer?
• Appendix A: Observation Notes to Review
• Appendix B: Forms and Formats
• Appendix C: Additional Resources on Assessment in Early Childhood
• Appendix D: Glossary of Assessment Terms and Phrases
• Appendix E: Guidelines for Instructors or Staff Development Leaders for Using Focused Observations
• Appendix F: Online Content
• References
• Index