3.

01 Observing Young Children Key Terms

Term Definition
General Terms
assessment the evaluation or estimation of the nature, quality, or
ability of someone or something.

confidentiality spoken, written, acted on, etc., in strict privacy

developmental norm as standards by which the progress of a child's

development can be measured.

ethics moral principles that govern a person's or group's

behavior.

evaluate form an idea of the amount, number, or value of; assess.

flow chart a diagram of the sequence of movements or actions of

people or things involved in a complex system or activity.
frequency the rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a
particular period of time or in a given sample.

the action or process of observing something or

someone carefully or in order to gain information.
Observations
formal observation refers to the precise, highly controlled methods that
take place in a laboratory setting.

informal observation is a more casual observation of the surrounding

environment.

naturalistic observation research method commonly used by psychologists

and other social scientists.

participant observer a technique of field research, used in

anthropology and sociology, by which an
investigator (participant observer) studies
the life of a group by sharing in its activities.

objective a thing aimed at or sought; a goal.

subjective based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or
opinions.

Observation Record Forms based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or

opinions.

anecdotal record is an observational method used frequently in

classroom or learning settings in which the observer
summarizes a single developmental incident after
the event has occurred.

checklist a list of items required, things to be done, or points to be

considered, used as a reminder.

is a measure of the number of times that an event

occurs.
frequency count

rating scale is an aid to disciplined dialogue.

running record is a tool that helps teachers to identify patterns in

student reading behaviors.