EDN 200 Lab

Format for Early Childhood Field Observation Report

Format:

• Word Processed (size 12 font), double spaced, 2 ½ to 3 page length
• Labeled with the name of school or center, teacher, age group, activities observed, date and time
• Edited for spelling and conventions

All five areas below should be addressed with reflective language and specific examples to support your observations.

I. Classroom Learning Climate and School Setting: Briefly describe the demographics of the class. Focus on gender, race, age and number of children. Describe the learning climate and how this climate affected children’s learning and behavior. What were the factors influencing this climate? What were your overall impressions of the school environment in the halls, office, cafeteria, etc?

II. The Lesson and Teacher: Were learning and development being facilitated during your observation? Describe the strategies and methods the teacher used to facilitate learning and development. Note any differentiated instruction the teacher may have implemented to accommodate individual differences. Describe how the teacher assessed the children’s learning and development. Also include the formal and informal methods for guidance and behavior management used by the teacher and comment on the effectiveness of those methods.

III. The Students: Describe the children’s reactions to the activities you observed. Were they actively engaged? If so, how? How did the children react to the teacher and towards each other? Did the children adhere to classroom procedures and expectations? If not, what were the consequences? How do you think having visitors in the classroom altered the children’s behavior?

IV. Transferring Observations into Practice: Based on your observations, what activities and techniques would you deem effective for facilitating the learning and development of young children in group settings such as schools and child care centers? What practices help young children to have positive experiences in these settings? What did you learn about children, teachers, schools and/or yourself today that will help you as a teacher?

V. Next Visit: What did you learn today that will be something you look for in your next visit to a school? What did you learn about yourself that helps you confirm or question your desire to be a teacher?