Observation and documentation of child’s play using a running record
RUNNING RECORD FORM
NAME(S): Angelica Jerome
DATE:
TO 9:17
October 10
TIME:
9:06
CIRCUMSTANCES/LOCATION:
Dramatic Play area/free-choice time
OBSERVER’S NAME: Jake Rawlings
TIME
OBSERVED BEHAVIORS
COMMENTS
9:06
9:09
9:10
9:14
9:17
Angelica is standing beside a small table with a
clear oval-shaped tub filled half-way with warm
soapy water. She is holding a 10-inch plastic naked
baby doll by the top of the head with her left hand.
She is telling the doll, “Bath time is fun, Baby.
Mommy won’t let soap get in your eyes.” She lowers
the doll into the soapy water but the water only
covers the doll’s feet and ankles.
She lifts the doll out of the water and changes her
grip to hold the doll with both hands−one on the
doll’s head and one under the doll’s ankles. She
proceeds to lay the doll in the water on her back.
“That’s better, isn’t it, Baby?”
Angelica grabs a tiny sponge with her left hand and
“washes” the baby. She uses her right forearm to
hold the doll still. She says, “Wait right here, Baby.
We need soap.” She leaves the doll in the basin and
looks around for some “soap.” She spots a small
white wooden block and returns to the basin. As
she rubs the block over the doll’s abdomen, she
says, “Let’s wash the belly button.”
Angelica continues scrubbing the doll with the block
and sponge for about two minutes. Next, she rolls
the doll over until the doll is face down in the water.
She begins scrubbing the doll’s back. Grinning
broadly she says loudly, “All done!” She grabs the
doll by the top of the head again (left hand) and
carries it dripping wet to the doll cradle where she
lays the doll on the floor and uses a baby blanket
like a towel to dry the baby.
Angelica J. 3 years, 4
mos. Angelica’s right arm
is somewhat impaired by
Cerebral Palsy. She uses
her left hand for most
activites.
Based on one of the goals
on her IEP, we are trying
to provide opportunities
for her to use her right
hand (or arm) to assist
with manipulative tasks.
Used right hand (wrist)
under the doll’s ankles to
assist putting the doll in
the tub and right forearm
to anchor the doll when
scrubbing.
Was able to use the white
block to symbolically
represent the soap.
Her self-talk matches her
actions.
The whole “bathing the
baby” routine was carried
out independently without
any requests for
assistance.
Early childhood teachers use observations of children’s play to document information about their development, learning, and progress.
Another way in which teachers need to be observant is to sense and understand when flexibility of goals and objectives is called for. Field Notes 5.5 describes just such a situation.