Observing, Recording, and Assessing Children's Development
Learn how to choose and use recording methods and identify developmental milestones.
Course Overview
This course applies to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
In this course you will learn why observing children’s authentic activities is the best way to gather information on children's development. This course covers how to choose methods of recording observations, identify developmental milestones and assess children’s stages of development, and assess children’s learning styles and temperament traits.
See the learning outcomes and topics below for more on what is covered in this course.
Note: This course includes observation assignments that must be completed to get credit for this course. Ideally, you should observe children in an early childhood setting. If this is not possible, you may observe your own children, neighbors, relatives, etc., but you must do the observation assignments to get credit for this course.
Course formats
This course is offered in both our coursebook (with required online component/testing) and our fully online format. The online format of this course includes audio narration in most course sections. Click here to learn more about Care Courses' training formats.
Acceptance information
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This course is accepted in:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts - this course is a diverse learner course.
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, DC
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
For state-specific information, see our State Training pages.
In Massachusetts this course is a diverse learner course. Click here for more Massachusetts diverse learner courses.
Learning outcomes
After completing this course you will be able to:
- Explain how to plan observations in a child care setting
- Describe different types of observation records
- Identify ways to use observation records to facilitate children's learning and development
- And much more! Click to read all of the learning outcomes for this course.
Topics covered
- Methods of gathering information
- The assessment cycle
- Tests and interviews
- Scheduling an observation
- Conducting an observation
- Anecdotal records
- Charts
- Checklists
- Diaries
- Frequency records
- Rating scales
- Running records
- Spot-checks
- Choosing the right type of records
- Milestones of physical, cognitive, language, and social–emotional development
- Intelligences and learning styles
- Temperament traits
What our students say about Observing, Recording and Assessing Children’s Development
How Care Courses® Training Works: Details & Support
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Course Details & Support
Prerequisites
- Language: Fluent reading and writing in the language of instruction (English or Spanish).
- Technology: Internet access and a web-enabled device (computer, smartphone, or tablet).
Access & Completion Deadline
- This training expires 12 months from the date of purchase.
- To receive a certificate of completion, you must successfully finish the course before the expiration date.
Learning Methods
- Read instructor-written material
- Watch videos
- Listen to audio segments
Assessments
- Multiple-choice quizzes
- Written assignments
Requirements for CEUs and Clock Hours
To earn CEUs and Clock Hours for a course, you must:
- Agree to and acknowledge our Honor Code & Policy
- Follow all instructions for written assignments
- Demonstrate comprehension of the course content
- Achieve the passing score specified in your course.
Quizzes and Assessments
- If your score falls below the passing mark, a trainer will review your work. If needed, you may be asked to speak with a trainer.
- You will have a second chance to retake any quiz or assessment.
- If you do not pass on your second attempt, contact us at info@carecourses.com. We will review your course and follow up directly.
- All quizzes are open book; all answers are found in the course material.
Certificates
- Official Care Courses certificates of completion record your clock hours and CEUs.
- Certificates are available in the My Courses area of your account.
- Please note: All course and certificate dates and times are on Eastern Time.
Getting Started
- See how our training works on the training process page.
- Watch our course navigation video for a quick tour of the online portal.
- Free Unlimited Assistance
- We’re here to help with training, billing, and technical support questions.
- Phone: 1-800-685-7610 (Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Eastern)
- Email: info@CareCourses.com or techsupport@CareCourses.com (days, evenings, and weekends)
About Care Courses
- Care Courses offers over 50 professional development courses and one non-credit training tutorial on the CDA process.
- All professional development courses include clock hours, CEUs, and an official online certificate of completion.
- (The free CDA tutorial does not offer clock hours or a certificate.)
Tuition & Bundles
- Course tuition entitles one person to receive the clock hours and CEUs granted upon successful completion.
- Bundle pricing covers tuition for all courses included in the bundle.
Policies & Requirements
