WJEC GCSE Home Eco - Child Development

244 * You need to make notes on all of what you see. * Write up your visit as soon as possible. * Evaluate every visit. Carrying out visits Visits should not last for more than 30 minutes. The purpose of the visit – in addition to conducting the activities or tasks – is to observe. As well as being one of the most important parts of the study, observations are also the fun bit where you watch and make notes. If possible – and with the parents’ permission – use a camera to record evidence and include it in your study. It might allow you to spot something you otherwise would have missed, but it can also improve the presentation of your work and make it more interesting. Observe everything that happened from beginning to end of each visit. What did the child do when you first met? What did the child say? What mood were they in? This information may have an effect on the responses you noted, or the results of how the activity goes. You will learn many things from the observations during your visits: OBSERVATIONS Learning Interests Comparisons with norms Understanding Likes/dislikes Play Parents' role Happy/sad Keep the parents informed and involved because they can provide support and resources should you require it. These are all appropriate for whichever area of development you are focusing on.