Child Observation for Learning and Research

Child Observation for Learning and Research is an exciting new text, providing a thorough grounding in the methodology, practice and interpretation of observing children.The authors draw on their experience and expertise in childcare, education, social work and research to introduce the fundamental principles and process of observation, preparing you for your first observation and building knowledge and confidence through a wide range of scenarios and activities.The book takes the unique approach of demonstrating how acquiring observational skills can serve as a key learning tool, not only helping you to understand children, but alsoto recognise, analyse and question theory, helping you make sense of your own learning.

PartI Thinking about and planning for child observationChapter 1 Observation and learningChapter 2 Child observation - historical perspectivesChapter 3 Methods of observationChapter 4 Planning for child observationChapter 5 Ethical implications of child observationChapter 6 Finding the role of the observerChapter 7 Participant and non-participant observationPartII Conducting and interpreting child observationChapter 8 Conducting and recording narrative observationsChapter 9 Observation and the reflective processChapter 10 Analysis of observation recordsChapter 11 Interpretation of child observationChapter 12 Observation - a research toolChapter 13 Writing on child observationsChapter 14 Observation in childcare and educationChapter 15 Conclusion - the power of observation

Papatheodorou, Theodora; Luff, Paulette; Gill, Janet