Active Observation as an Early Years Tool

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Lisa Kane and Maia Bassett
< 1 min read

Observation is a powerful tool in the Early Years – one that can be used to gain deeper insights into children’s interests, play behaviours and thinking. However, there are so many things to do in a day, that active observation can often be an afterthought, or a hurried event. How can observation be elevated and valued by all members of the EY team – from support assistants, through to educators and school leaders?

Join experienced EY leaders Maia Bassett and Lisa Kane as the conversation around our role as observers and researchers is initiated, explored and enriched. 

Highlights:

  • Discover the beauty in slowing down, waiting, and wondering
  • Consider the practicalities as you build your observation skills
  • Enhance play and learning with the child at the centre as you respond to your observations

Related resource:

Active observation for early years – A toolkit

Speakers
Lisa Kane
Director of Early Years Curriculum at Toddle
Maia Bassett
ELC Teacher/Accreditation Coordinator Nagoya International School (NIS)

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Lisa Kane
Lisa is a passionate early years educator, having found her way into the field after being fascinated by the rapid and wondrous development in the first years of her own children’s lives. Following these curiosities has taken her through a degree and post-grad in Early Years education, and clocking up over 20 years of hands-on experience in a variety of international school settings. Lisa believes that learning is co-constructed alongside the smallest humans, and is energised by the curiosity, awe and wonder they generate.
Maia Bassett
Maia Bassett is a designer, student of philosophy, and teacher-researcher who believes in playful inquiry as a catalyst for learning experiences within cognition and socio-emotional learning. Her pedagogy has been influenced by the forward-thinking practices from Reggio Emilia, Italy. She is inspired by the relationship between literacy and the arts through the story workshop approach. She believes that in collaboration with families we can co-create environments of possibilities with children. Building learning communities is an essential component of her daily work and embracing failure and the unknown is at the heart of this process.
Active Observation as an Early Years Tool
Observation is a powerful tool in the Early Years - one that can be used to gain deeper insights into children’s interests, play behaviours and thinking. However, there are so many things to do in a day, that active observation can often be an afterthought, or a hurried event. How can observation be elevated and valued by all members of the EY team - from support assistants, through to educators and school leaders? Join experienced EY leaders Maia Bassett and Lisa Kane as the conversation around our role as observers and researchers is initiated, explored and enriched.