Learning Through Child Observation, Third Edition

Mary Fawcett, Debbie Watson

• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN: 9781849056472
• eBook ISBN: 9781784501419
• Edition: 3
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Early Childhood Education

This fully updated third edition of Learning Through Child Observation is a handbook for professionals working in, or students preparing to work in, children's services.

This accessible text examines the value of observation, its use in assessment and the practical aspects and methods of observational study. The authors focus on the importance of fully recognising the child's developmental and emotional state when intervening, and the need to see children 'holistically' and as unique individuals within the wider context of the family and community. This new edition reflects updates to policy and practice and further develops the critical perspective on contemporary thinking about childhood and observational methods. This edition has also expanded its focus to include observation of primary-aged children.

A popular text, it will appeal to students and professionals in all children's services, whether in pre-school, schools, social care, mental health or health settings.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Of Related Interest
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• 1. Why Observation Matters
• 2. Views on Children and Childhood
• 3. Changing Views of Child Observation
• 4. Observational Methods and Practice
• 5. Child Observations: Themes and Lines of Enquiry
• 6. Observation and Assessment
• 7. Supporting Child Observation
• 8. Observation, Reflection and Documentation: The Reggio Emilia Approach
• 9. Observation, Reflection and Documentation in Action: Co-producing Research Tools with Room 13
• 10. Conclusion
• Appendix: The Task Code Categories from the Oxford Preschool Project
• References
• Subject Index
• Author Index