Page 11 - LESSION 14.pmd

Methods of Child Study

children to elicit their responses. These can serve as tools to gather meaningful
data on children’s behaviors and thought. Let us study more about these art
forms: Notes

14.5.1 Role Play

Role Play is a method in which different individuals assume a role, playing
themselves or another person in a given situation or scenario, based on the
objectives. It is a method for exploring the issues involved in complex social
situations. Those involved in role-play are expected to “act out” the demands
of the particular situation or role. For example, in role play, children play
situations that may be acted out which may be reality-based or imaginary. The
researcher may observe children playing roles of different characters or their
responses to these characters in post-play discussion.

14.5.1.1 Advantages of Role Play

• It helps to gather different points of view and perspectives of children as
displayed through the role play.
• It is useful to elicit responses including emotional responses in children.

• It aids to assess children’s responses to problems and their solutions; skills
of initiative, communication, self-awareness and cooperation.
• It facilitates identification of complex human interactions.

14.5.2 Drawings as Sources of Conversation

Children from a young age like to scribble with crayons. They may use particular
colours or strokes on paper. The drawings may have no concrete shape or
resemblance to reality. When teachers or mothers have asked children about
what they have created, there is often a meaningful narrative. In recent years,
researchers have made use of engaging children aged four to six years to
respond to their own drawings. Drawings are analyzed on the basis of colour,
intensity of strokes and their narratives.

14.6 REPORTING CHILDREN’S PROGRESS

14.6.1 Anecdotal Records

Anecdotal records are detailed description of important episodes which are
written and maintained on a daily basis to record children’s progress over a
period of time. The anecdotal records provide important periodic information
of children’s lives. Records may encompass many aspects of children’s
development such as their behaviour, interaction, interests, likes, dislikes etc.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 89