DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF YOUNG CHILDERN 4

Developmental assessment of Young children 4 (1+3)

Lesson 7:Tools & Techniques of Assessment

Anecdotal records

An anecdotal record is an attempt to record in detail a specific episode that is of particular interest or concern. A specific event takes place that catches the attention of the adult. As soon as possible, the adult writes a narrative account, tells the story of the event.

Antecedent events occur before the behavior and consequent events occur after the target behavior is performed.

• Anecdotal records are a written description of child’s behavior.
• It is an objective account of an incident that tells what happened, when and where
• It may be used to inform the development of an infant or young child by a physician, parents or teacher to explain unusual behavior.
• The record may be used to understand some aspects of behavior.
• Can be obtained during initial assessment for instructional programme planning and is used to guide later assessment activities.
• Used for monitoring the effects of intervention.

Guidelines to write anecdotal records:

• Should be written soon after the event occurs
• The basic action and key persons should be described
• Setting, time and activity should be listed
• Sequence of the event should be described
• Main event, qualitative description of the event should be included.

The five characteristics of Anecdotal records:

1. It is the result of direct observation.
2. It is a prompt, accurate and specific account of an event.
3. It includes the context of behaviors.
4. Interpretations of the incident are recorded separately from the incident.
5. It focuses on behavior that is either typical or unusual for the child being observed.

Example: