Oglala Lakota College Head Start/Early Head Start Program

Oglala Lakota College Head Start/Early Head Start Program

POLICY AND PROCEDURES

TITLE: OBSERVING CHILDREN

PURPOSE

Observable behaviors (what you can actually see) and objectivity is the essence of a

worthwhile observation. For the observation to become worthwhile it must have a purpose and be used to achieve that purpose.

POLICY

The OLC HS/EHS staff will observe the children to see how well the child has assimilated

learning, and staff can indicate what learning is still to be achieved.

PROCEDURE

Teachers and Teacher Assistants, under supervision of the teacher, must conduct weekly child observations using the Teaching Strategies GOLD Observation Checklist and/or the OLC HS or EHS Child Observation Form.

The child will be observed each week in one of the developmental areas described in the Teaching Strategies GOLD Assessment System (Social/Emotional, Physical, Language, Cognitive, Literacy, Mathematics, Science/Technology, Social Studies and Art).

The Teaching Strategies GOLD Observation Checklist covers the Physical, Literacy and Mathematics objectives.

The OLC HS or EHS Child Observation Form covers the Social/Emotional, Language (Verbal), Cognitive, Science and Technology, Art and English Language Acquisition objectives and is a narrative observation form. When using this form staff should:

·  Write observation notes that are concise and recorded at the time of the observation. Observation notes can be written on another paper and transferred or attached to the OLC HS or EHS Child Observation Form.

·  An individual child should be observed for several minutes in each developmental area. At the end of the day, the observation notes should be reviewed and related to the goals and objectives listed under the area observed. Circle the number of each goal/objective the observation notes indicate the child was practicing.

·  The observations are available in the Child’s Individual Portfolio to share with parents and promote parent involvement in observing their children as required by Head Start Performance Standards.

·  The information from all observations will be used to discuss child development, develop appropriate goals, behaviors and to discuss family concerns about the child.

DOCUMENTATION

Teaching Strategies GOLD Observation Checklist

OLC HS or EHS Child Observation Form

REGULATORY REFERENCE(S):

Head Start Performance Standards 1304.22(a)(3)

Environmental Health Standards 4-116.20

Adapted from Model Tribal Head Start Health and Safety Code-Indian Health Service/Office of Environmental Health

Revised: 03/28/12

PC Approval: 10/23/06

BOT Approval: 11/21/06