child psych paper
nirmak
observationguidenotes.docxObservation Notes Suggested Template
Set the Stage: Tell us about the setting and the main characters
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Setting: Date, time, place, description of location, smells, temperature, furniture, anything that could affect the child’s behavior |
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Physical description of child: Gender, size compared to peers, level of grooming, body language, other descriptors that paint a picture of who the child is or how others see the child |
Action: Tell what you saw. Remember to talk about the “whole child.”
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Physical Development: Has the child met milestones, how do they move, gross/fine motor, self-help skills, etc. |
Cognitive Development: Has the child met milestones, evidence about how they think and problem solve |
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Social/Emotional Development: How do they interact w/parents/teachers/peers, self-regulation, mood, affect, facial expression, does emotion match the situation |
Language: Write down some exact quotes, how/when/why do they communicate, tone of voice, articulation, grammar |
**These first two sections are facts only, no opinions. Typically write everything in past tense. Refer to yourself as the observer. Don’t forget to change names for confidentiality.
Interpret: This is where you use your professional skills and the information from what you observed to think about next steps, possible motivations for the child’s behavior, or things that you might change/improve.
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Qualify your thoughts: Back them up with things you saw or theories/ideas from your readings |
Use suggestions/Not statements: Use words like maybe/could/seems to, etc. Example: “Xavier may benefit from more storybook activities because of his enjoyment of reading. “ |
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Have a purpose for your comments: Only refer to things that are relevant for the person reading the report |
No Judging: Interpretation does not mean opinion. Refrain from using words like rude, cute, or talking about the child’s internal motivations |
