Tracking observation how do I set it out [Archive]

Lily Grace

02-04-2011, 10:01 AM

Hi I have to do a tracking observation for my NVQ and I dont know how to set it out on paper. It is the type of observation where you have to see how long the child spends at each activity to see what their interests are then do a pie chart. I normally do snap shot observations any help would be great thanks

mama2three

02-04-2011, 11:19 AM

A lonmg time since Ive done one but........
If you have to do a pie chart then the easiest way is to do a tallychart.
Note down the various areas you have out , eg sand books dolls house painting.....whatever you have out on the day. Also a line for 'transit /wandering.
Then choose a time frame , every minute for 15? every 5 minutes for an hour? Depends a lot on the age of the child as their attention will usually be longer on a particular area the older they get. Then just tick off ( tally) where they are at each checktime.
might look like

Sand III
Paint
Roleplay IIIIIIIIIII
Transit I and so on

To put it on the pie chart you need to work out what percentage of time they are at each activity. Then each percent is 3.6 degrees of the circle.

Hope that made sense , think Ive confused myself!
Maybe someone will have a better way!