Module 1 Discussion 1
Create and post a Kaltura video that summarizes your responses and offers examples related to the following:
- The role and importance of relational caring in early childhood interactions and practices
- The potential effects of relational caring and viewing children from a strength-based perspective on observation and assessment
- Whether and why you agree or disagree with the Noddings statement that “. . . we might note that educating from the care perspective reduces the need for formal testing”
- Hopes and goals you have for yourself and other early childhood professionals related to fostering caring relationships and viewing children from a strength-based perspective as part of the observation and assessment process
Discussion 2: Critical considerations when observing young children: objectivity, ETHICS, and principles
Objectivity is considered best practice when observing young children. You will explore what this means in Part 1 of this Discussion and then in Part 2 of this Discussion, you will reflect on ethical concerns early childhood professionals, as leaders and advocates, must be aware of related to observing young children.
Part 1: Consider the following two observations, written about the same situation in a toddler room:
- Matteo was riding around on his toy and wanted to go into the main classroom. Matteo rudely shouted, “Pass” at Karen and Rory. They quickly moved out of his way, and he rode past them without saying thank you.
- Sitting astride a ride-on toy, Matteo rode up to a small group of people. “Pass,” he demanded. Looking up, Karen suggested to Rory that they both move over. Once they had moved, Matteo rode past them into the main classroom.
Which of these observations would you classify as objective, and why? Does the subjective observation influence your perceptions of Matteo? If so, in what ways? (Infants & Toddlers, 2014)
Review the following resources:
- Walden University, LLC. (2021). Your early childhood communityLinks to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University Canvas. Observation and Assessment
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- Note: Please click on the following: The Role of Objectivity in Observing Young Children
- Walden University, LLC. (2015–2021). How to observe children [Video]. Walden University Canvas.
- Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center. (n.d.). Clearing your view: Staying objective in observationLinks to an external site. [Video]. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. Office of Head Start.
To Prepare for part 2 of this Discussion
Part 2: After considering why objectivity is an essential component of observing young children, do you agree that objectivity, or a lack of it, is an ethical concern as well? What are some of the other ethical concerns early childhood professionals, as leaders and advocates, must be aware of related to observing young children?
- Review the following resources:
- Early Childhood Australia. (n.d.). Who is watching? Thinking ethically about children. to an external site.
- Peterson, G., & Elam, E. (2020). Book: Observation and assessment in early childhood education (Peterson and Elam). LibreTexts. to an external site.
- Feeney, S., & Freeman, N. K. (1999). Addressing ethical issues. In Ethics and the early childhood educator: Using the NAEYC code (pp. 17-25). National Association for the Education of Young Children. to an external site.
- Compose a brief ethical statement that explains your stance on the following:
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- What an early childhood professional’s mindset should be before and during observations. As you form your thinking, consider the effect of expectations, assumptions, biases, pre-conceived notions, and/or prior relationships with each child.
- Consider what principles you will strive to uphold, including how you will make an effort to be objective and consider all children as individuals in ways that encompass variances in languages, cultures, groups, and developmental levels respectfully and responsively.
Post your response to the following:
- What does it mean to be objective when observing children and why is this so important?
- What might affect an observer’s objectivity?
- Post your ethical statement related to observing young children.
- Based on your experience and the resources in this module, think about a child who is totally new to you. What might you learn by observing the child?
- Based on your experience and the resources in this module, think about a child you have been working with for almost an entire year. How might you best prepare to observe this child? Explain your rationale.
