Observe Children to Inform Practice (Refresher)COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to the Observe Children to Inform Practice course. In this program we will explore the essential practices and techniques involved in observing children to inform practice, enhance curriculum planning and promote their holistic development. As educators and caregivers, our ability to observe and understand children's behaviours, interests, and needs is fundamental to providing high quality early childhood education and care.

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Observe Children to Inform Practice course. In this program we will explore the essential practices and techniques involved in observing children to inform practice, enhance curriculum planning and promote their holistic development. As educators and caregivers, our ability to observe and understand children's behaviours, interests, and needs is fundamental to providing high-quality early childhood education and care.

In Section A of this course, we will delve into the foundational knowledge required for effective observation practices. You will gain an understanding of the requirements of the National Quality Standard and related regulations and laws, as well as the stages of child development and how they inform curriculum planning. We will explore the stages of the curriculum planning cycle and key considerations for collecting information, including various ways of gathering information and involving stakeholders.

Additionally, you will learn how to make and document meaningful observations, employ questioning techniques, and review information to gain insights into children's needs and learning opportunities. Reflective practice, service standards, policies, and procedures will also be addressed to ensure ethical and professional conduct.

Section B focuses on the practical aspects of observation, where you will learn to identify children's interests, knowledge, skills, and strengths through observation and interactions. You will investigate a range of observation techniques and select appropriate ones based on the context. Collaborating with colleagues and families, accurately recording observations, discussing gathered information, and ensuring it is free from bias and negative labelling are emphasised. Reflection on observations and discussions with colleagues will further deepen your understanding and inform curriculum planning to promote children's learning, development, and well-being.

Furthermore, you will understand how to apply your knowledge and skills by gathering, documenting, reflecting on, and using information about three different children aged birth to six years. Using various observation techniques and secondary sources, you will learn how to communicate perspectives on each child's development, interests, and learning, and explain links to the approved learning framework. This component will enable you to integrate observation-based insights into responsive and respectful curriculum planning tailored to individual children's needs.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the tools and techniques necessary to observe children effectively, gather meaningful information, and use it to inform curriculum planning that supports their optimal development and learning outcomes.

This course is designed to align with the content outlined in the Nationally Recognised Unit of Competency CHCECE038.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

Section A: Knowledge

·       Requirements of the National Quality Standard and related regulations and laws

·       Stages of child development and how they are used in curriculum planning

·       Stages of the curriculum planning cycle

·       Key considerations for collecting information

·       Ways of gathering information and who may be involved

·       How to make and document meaningful observations

·       Ways of questioning and reviewing information to gain better understanding of children’s needs and learning opportunities

·       How individual educators can contribute to the planning stage based on information collected

·       Reflective practice

·       Service standards, policies and procedures

Section B: Performance Tasks

·       Identify children’s interests, ideas, knowledge, skills and strengths based on observation and interactions.

·       Investigate and understand a range of observation techniques and their application in the workplace.

·       Seek guidance from colleagues about observation tools and processes.

·       Select appropriate observation technique according to the context of the observation.

·       Use information from children’s records and family to assist in curriculum planning.

·       Collaborate with others to collect information about each child’s needs, interests, skills and cultural practices.

·       Observe the child and accurately record meaningful information according to service policies and procedures.

·       Discuss information gathered with relevant people to inform planning.

·       Discuss and record information in ways that are free from bias and negative labelling of children.

·       Reflect on information gathered from observations and secondary sources.

·       Identify and use opportunities to discuss reflections with colleagues and gain their perspectives.

·       Identify learning and development aspects of the child based on gathered information.

·       Determine and document links to the approved learning framework.

·       Use information gathered and own reflections about the child to contribute to the planning of programs that promote children’s learning, development and wellbeing.

·       Use information gathered about the child to support interactions that are responsive and respectful of individual needs.

·       Gather, document, reflect on, and use information about three different children between the ages of birth and six years, one of whom must be under 23 months, to inform curriculum planning for each of the three children. When completing the above tasks, for each child:

§  gather information using at least three different observation techniques

§  use at least two secondary sources

§  communicate a perspective about:

o   aspects of child’s development

o   individual interests and learning

§  explain links to approved learning framework.

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.