In our last newsletter, we wrote about developing observational skills in children and focused primarily on using the five senses. Observation is the fundamental science process skill, so refining a child’s observations is important.

Quantitative observation involves identifying a number or quantity. If a child notices that an insect has legs, the next question is how many? Adding number and quantity to observation gives the child more precise information. Measuring is also a part of quantitative observation. Scientists use a number of sophisticated tools to get accurate measurements; a child can measure using a ruler or a scale. A child can also measure with nonstandard units, such as paper clips.

Another way to improve a child’s observation is to make a comparison with something that is familiar. For instance, the child says that a bug was green. There are many shades of green. Was it green like the grass or green like a lime? Help your child to come up with references that make his description more specific. These comparisons can also indicate degree. If something is hot or rough, how hot or rough is it? Is it rough like sandpaper or rough like a carpet? Making these kind of comparisons improves both your child’s observations and communication skills. References can also refine observations that involve measurement. An insect has long legs, but how long are they? If you can’t physically measure them, then what can you compare them to that will give the other person a point of reference? Are they as long your arm, your finger, a paper clip? These types of comparisons also develop a child’s skill in sorting and classifying information. The more detailed a child becomes in his observations, the more likely he is to begin to notice similarities and differences when comparing objects.

As a child adds quantitative information to his observation, he is ready to start recording information in a more precise manner. Simple charts, graphs, and tables can help a child to record quantitative data. For very young children, picture graphs are a simple way to record information. The first activity, from The Rainbow Web, is a simple table that compares the number of body parts on a fly and a spider. The second activity, from You’re Blushing Little Octopus, uses a fish to measure and compare the length of different coral reef creatures. You can download these activities from the Teaching Resources page on our website.

We have two sample activities that add quantity to observation. The first activity, "Parts Chart" (486K PDF file)from The Rainbow Web, is a simple table that compares the number of body parts on a fly and a spider. The second activity, "How Long" (207K PDF file)from You’re Blushing Little Octopus, uses a fish to measure and compare the length of different coral reef creatures. You can download these and other activities from the Teaching Resources page on our website.