Developmental assessment of Young children 4 (1+3)
Lesson 8:Observation methods of evaluating young children
Event sampling
It is used to record events as they happen. First the desired behavior is identified and then it is recorded when it occurs.
Event sampling is used when a behavior tends to occur in a particular setting rather than during a predictable time period.
The behavior may occur at odd times or infrequently.
It is used to discover the causes of particular behavior.
The observer determines when the behavior is likely to occur and waits for it to take place.
Event sampling is a cause and effect type of observation, the observer is looking for clues that will assist in solving the child’s problem.
The ABC model is used to understand the cause of the behavior. A=Antecent event. B=Target behavior C=Consequent event.
Individual child can be observed for occurrences of a specific behavior or an entire group can be watched and a total number of occurrences of behavior can be recorded and tallied.
When the behavior occurs a check list is marked so that after a given period of time, the adult can tally the exact number of times the behavior took place.
Event sampling checklist (sample): Hyperlink the following
Even sampling checklist is used by a child care worker to determine the individual daily progress of several toddlers in their toilet training. Each accident has been recorded as an X.
Names
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Ram
xxx
xxx
xxx
X
Raji
Xx
Rani
Xxx
xx
x
Ramu
Xxxx
xxxxx
xxxx
xxxx
Amala
x
xx
Kiran
xx
X
Interpretation:
Ram may not really be ready for toilet training at this time. It may be helpful to observe Raji more closely to determine if he is having difficulty at a specific time of day or under specific circumstances.
Ram had difficulty early in the week but managed to stay dry most of the day on Thursday. He should probably be watched further to see what happens the following week.