How to observe a child doing a mark making activity?

Question

How to observe a child doing a mark making activity?

Answer 1

sit with pen/paper and watch..write down exactly what they do and say..do not write in a way that you are making assumptions..short and to the point.

Answer 2

mainly just sit and watch - observe scribbling, pre writing, actual pictures.  It's fun but it also takes you away from the other children.  Too much observing and assessing going on in preschools - but it has to be done to see where they are at and what extra help they need.

Answer 3

Painting, Scribbling or Drawing.

Sit opposite and do not be tempted to question the child. Write down exactly what you see.

EG: Sat at table with 3 pots of paint and 3 brushes. Sheet of A4 on table.

Child A picks up brush in right hand and trails paint across the table from the pot to the page.

Rubs brush on page from right to left.

Keep it brief cos it gets very tedious! Good luck

Answer 4

either have a pen and paper to write it down or reflect on the activity later. Watch exactly what the child is doing, try not to interfere as it will not be a true observation.

Ask yourself these questions while watching

how are they holding the object they are mark making with?

have they listened (if instructions are given)to what you have asked them to do?