In this blog we will disÂcuss how to make a runÂning record. When you care for and supÂport the learnÂing of young chilÂdren, it is essenÂtial to have accuÂrate and up-to-date inforÂmaÂtion about each child’s levÂel of develÂopÂment. ObservÂing chilÂdren’s norÂmal activÂiÂties is the most reliÂable source of this inforÂmaÂtion. RunÂning records are one good way to keep track of your observations.
Care CoursÂes offers the course ObservÂing, RecordÂing, and AssessÂing Children’s DevelÂopÂment. In this course we covÂer the best ways to perÂform obserÂvaÂtions and to assess children’s develÂopÂment, includÂing runÂning records.
What is a running record?
RunÂning records are open-endÂed, narÂraÂtive-type records that covÂer a sequence of behavÂiors over a periÂod of time. This type of record is a good tool to help you disÂcovÂer causÂes and conÂseÂquences, for examÂple, findÂing a patÂtern to a chalÂlengÂing behavÂior such bitÂing or hitÂting. RunÂning records are also useÂful for planÂning learnÂing activÂiÂties for indiÂvidÂual children.
RunÂning records include everyÂthing that hapÂpens durÂing the periÂod of obserÂvaÂtion. BehavÂiors are recordÂed as they hapÂpen. RunÂning records proÂvide a rich, comÂplete, and comÂpreÂhenÂsive account of the child’s behavior.
How to write a running record
- Observe only one child at a time.
- Record only the facts of what you see. Avoid using words that judge or interÂpret. Don’t record what you believe, susÂpect, or infer from the child’s actions.
- Record every detail. Don’t omit anything.
- Record behavÂiors in the order in which they occur.
What to include
Include the date, time, and locaÂtion of your obserÂvaÂtion. Include the name and age of each child involved in any inciÂdents observed. AddiÂtionÂalÂly, include the conÂtext of the incidents.
As with all obserÂvaÂtion records, keep your comÂments sepÂaÂrate from the runÂning record itself and clearÂly label them as your comments.
Other observation methods
While no sinÂgle obserÂvaÂtion method proÂvides a comÂplete assessÂment of a child, comÂbinÂing regÂuÂlar runÂning records with othÂer types of obserÂvaÂtions will give you a more extenÂsive picÂture of the child’s needs, interÂests, and skill levels.
Want to learn about othÂer types of obserÂvaÂtion methÂods? Take our course ObservÂing, RecordÂing, and AssessÂing Children’s DevelÂopÂment. In it we covÂer many methÂods to assess chilÂdren and help you underÂstand when and how to best use them.
Care Courses Support
Please conÂtact us and let us know how we can be of addiÂtionÂal assisÂtance! Call us: 1–800-685‑7610, MonÂday through FriÂday, 9–5 ET, or email us days, evenings, and weekÂends: info@CareCourses.com. We’re here to help!
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