Nilsen's WEEK BY WEEK: PLANS FOR DOCUMENTING CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT, 8th Edition, provides an overview of accepted observation and recording methods, including examples and guidance about the advantages and disadvantages of each. Each chapter summarizes a developmental domain to focus your observation skills as you practice a specific recording method. These are integrated into a concrete, systematic plan for recording each child's development in all developmental areas -- a plan that can be extended over 40 weeks while in practicum, field experiences or your own classroom. It provides numerous practical observation forms and integrates NAEYC standards and Developmentally Appropriate Practices and learning objectives. Real-life anecdotes, practical tips, forms with clear instructions and step-by-step guidelines make this a valuable resource for teachers in training and practicing professionals.
1. Getting Started.
2. Using the Class List Log to Look at Separation and School Adjustment.
3. Using Anecdotal Recordings to Look at Self-Care.
4. Using Checklists to Look at Physical Development.
5. Using Running Records to Look at Social Development.
6. Using Frequency Counts to Look at Emotional Development.
7. Using Conversations to Observe Language and Speech.
8. Using Time Samples to Look at Attention Span.
9. Using Standardized Tests to Look at Cognitive Development.
10. Using Rating Scales to Look at Literacy.
11. Using Work Samples to Look at Creativity.
12. Using Technology for Documentation of Dramatic Play.
13. Using Documentation for Child Abuse Suspicions and Looking at
Self-Concept.
14. Using Program Assessments to Look at Children in Groups.
15. Using the Portfolio for Communications with Families and Looking at the
Child's Interactions with Adults.
16. Using the Yearly Plan to Observe and Record Children's Development.
Barbara Ann Nilsen taught in the early childhood classroom and then in the college classroom and online as professor and chair of the Teacher Education and Early Childhood Department at SUNY Broome Community College in Binghamton, New York. She retired in 2006. In addition, she was the grant director of a statewide online course collaborative and the Early Learning Opportunities federal project for Building Brighter Futures for Broome. Nilsen has been active in local, state and national early childhood professional development initiatives such as New York State Career Pathways, New York State Children's Program Administrator Infant/Toddler, Family Child Care Credentials and NAEYC'S Early Childhood Associate Degree Program Accreditation project. She is the co-author, with Virginia Albertalli, of AN INTRODUCTION TO LEARNING AND TEACHING: INFANTS THROUGH SIXTH GRADE and the author of the OBSERVATION AND ASSESSMENT PROFESSIONAL ENHANCEMENT text. She received her EdD in early and middle childhood from Nova University (now called Nova Southeastern University) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
