Week by Week: Documenting the Development of Young Children

This text is full of resources that current and future teachers need in order to implement regular, quality developmental observation of all their young students. It explains accepted methods of recording observations and the applications of those methods, including their advantages and disadvantages. This includes pitfalls to avoid, the use of technology with each method, and how to find the time to actually implement the plan. This is paired with an overview of child development so teachers know what to look for and how to record it. The actual filing system for documentation is addressed, as is sharing results with the child and family. Special features add further, thought-provoking substance to the text. Each chapter's "Topics in Observation" section presents an issue for consideration that is related to but beyond the context of the chapter content. A "Reflective Journal" guides the students to think personally about each developmental area, and an Action section gives curriculum ideas, including suggested children's titles that correspond to the chapter's developmental area.