Hi, narrative observations ?

Hi, I am a total newbie! I have just started my nvq 2 I am placed at a nursery. I am due to hand in 2 narrative observations. this might sound stupid but I am already having trouble as these are my first obs. Can any one give me any help. PLEASE. the observations I am doing are for gms and fms. thanks.

[Ruthierhyme]

Hi and welcome to Silkysteps

I've moved this post to it's own thread for everyone to pop by well done on taking on the NVQ !!

Have you got a general sheet to make your observations on ?

Fine & Gross motor skills come in all shapes and sizes are you following the children in freeplay or do you have an activity planned to help focus on these skills ?


xx

probably repeating all you have been told but..

When doing obs write what you see not what you think.. for example if a child is stood crying, write just that, not that you think she is sad, upset .. if one is shouting stamping feet ...do not assume they are angry learn to be factual.

Set a period of time to observe and if possible make sure everyone knows what you are doing as children will always focus on something different and try to distract you, you will find that you are the one they will come to even if others are available. we sometimes have the observer using a clipboard so all staff know what is happening and can divert the children if needed. Get the children used to someone walking around taking notes also helps, eventually they become less conscious of being watched and will play 'normally'.

learn / devise your own version of a shorthand code.. and write up the observation in full as soon as possible after doing it.. surprising what details can be remembered

find an activity to focus on linked to the focus.

we always suggest also ensuring the child is one who is calm, easily watched and at an expected stage of development for the age, don't make it harder than you have to.

[tutu]

if you look in your textbook there is a huge chapter on observations, but basically a narrative is a story telling exactly what the child did, in its simplest form.
"child a walked to the book area, she knelt down on one knee and picked up a book which was on the floor. she opened it using both hands and laid it open on the floor " etc etc.
no assumptions or thoughts of your own just a description, most people call it a written record or descriptive account.