How Do I Use the Observation Record?

The Observation Record is a tool to help you keep track of observations and record children's growth and development. It is intended to be your record of factual observations that then help to determine ratings for the Developmental Profiles.

There are eight Observation Records, one for each age level of The Ounce Scale. Each Observation Record is divided into the six areas of development. Each area has two or three observation questions that focus your attention on behaviors that show growth and development. Each observation question is followed by a rationale, which describes expected development at the end of an age level. Each observation question is also accompanied by examples that expand on the description provided in the rationale.

How do I get started?

Read through the Observation Record, focusing on the observation questions, rationale, and examples for each area of development. Remember that the examples are only some of the ways in which a child might show development in a particular area. You will observe other behaviors that reflect development in that area, and should record those observations. It is also useful to read the age-level descriptions of expected behavior and skills, included in the standards.

Many observers find it helpful to start with one area of development and observe in that area for a few weeks before moving on to a second area of development. Others observe in several areas of development at once. You do not have to observe areas of development in any particular order. Your goal is to have several observations for each question by the end of the age level.

How do I observe for the Observation Record?

• Write your observations directly into a child's Observation Record.
• Each observation should be dated so that you can see growth over the four to six months of the age level.

What do I do at the end of an age level?

After the Observation Record is completed, review the child's growth and development and then introduce the next age-level Observation Record and Family Album.