APPENDICES   USING OBSERVING SKILLS FOR LIVING  

The Observing Skills for Living checklist was designed to guide teachers as they work to promote mental health in young children. It is a thinking tool for teachers, not an evaluation tool for children. Based on the goals of the AS I AM curriculum, it can help you consider a specific child or the class as a whole. Use it to guide your selection of experiences or to prepare for discussions with parents, co-workers, and consultants.

Observing Skills for Living helps teachers record some of the specifics of children's mental health growth. Teachers who used it found that they began to look at child development in a new way. The checklist highlighted behavior that might have gone unnoticed and prompted them to be specific about how a child's behavior had changed. Their recommendation is to use it after a child has been in a program for a month, and again four months later. One teacher commented, "If I had used this last year I would have noticed Diane's lack of self-awareness much sooner.''

Observing Skills for Living requires careful use. The checklist format represents a broad range of developmentally appropriate behavior, but necessarily limits the amount of information you gather from an observation. Be aware that you may miss some important behaviors. The checklist provides space for additional descriptive information.

Each child's Observing Skills for Living profile will reflect individual strengths and weaknesses. Over time, it is normal to see both growth and regression. When sharing this information with parents, be sure to explain that the children are not expected to accomplish all these skills.
 

OBSERVING SKILLS FOR LIVING  

Directions for Use: As you use this checklist, remember that there is a broad range of normal behavior reflecting a child's development and temperament. Observing Skills for Living can give a general picture of a child's present and emerging mental health skills. It is inappropriate, however, to expect that he will necessarily accomplish all of the listed skills.
 

Child's Name:_____________________________________ DOB: ______________
 
 
 

BEING:	CODE:
	O = Often
	S = Sometimes
	I  = Infrequently Or Never
	U = Unable To Observe At This Time

Skill	Code	Date	Behavior/Comment
Play includes:   large motor equipment.                             classroom and outdoor                             areas                              moving body freely
Recognizes Self in Photo
Identifies Self By Name       (note names used)
Can Describe Physical or Personal        Characteristics
Can Make Positive Statements        About Self
Explains Own Likes and Dislikes
Makes Routine Transitions Easily
Can Assert Wants and Needs       Without Aggression
Has Growing Awareness of Male       and Female Roles
Practices Regular Health Routines       (cleans hands and teeth, eats       balanced meals, exercises       regularly)
Talks About Growth Process With       Understanding

FEELING:	CODE:
	O  = Often
	S  = Sometimes
	I  = Infrequently Or Never
	U = Unable To Observe At This Time

Skill	Code	Date	Behavior/Comment
Play includes:   a wide range of props                             a variety of roles                             dramatizing life events                             expressive use of                               creative materials
Can Leave Parent Or Caretakers       Without Fussing
Can Maintain Self-Control Difficult       Or Unfamaliar Situations
Trusts At Least One Adult Or Child       In Classroom
Can Ask For Assistance When Needed
Can Discuss Anxieties And Fears       With Adult
Can Participate In Conversations       About Feelings
Chooses Quiet Relaxing Activity/       Rest When Needed
Can Express Anger In Appropriate Ways
Express A Range of Emotions With:                            body language                            Behavior                            verbally
Responds To Humorous Situations       With Laughter

RELATING:	CODE:
	O  = Often
	S  = Sometimes
	I  = Infrequently Or Never
	U = Unable To Observe At This Time

Skill	Code	Date	Behavior/Comment
Play includes:   solitary                            parallel                            group interaction
Responds To The Presence Of Other       Children
Maintains Friendship(s) With Peers
Has Warm Relationships With One       Or More Adults In Classroom
Can Make Eye Contact When Spoken To
Can Understand And Follow Class       Rules and Routines
Can Listen To What Other People       Are Saying
Can Show Sympathy For Living Beings
Joins In Group Activities
Can Demonstrate Co-operative       Behaviors, Such As Sharing,       Helping, And Turn Taking
Can Resolve Conflicts Non-violently
Shows Awareness Of Family Members       And Their Roles
Can Demonstrate Awareness And       Acceptance Of Individual       Differences

THINKING:	CODE:
	O  = Often
	S  = Sometimes
	I  = Infrequently Or Never
	U  = Unable To Observe At This Time

Skill	Code	Date	Behavior/Comment
Play includes:   imaginative use of open-                                 ended cognitive                                 materials (blocks,                                 sand, water, other                                 constructive mat-                                 erials)                            closed-cognitive mat-                                 arials (puzzles,                                 lotto, other games)                            spontaneous talk
Can Remain With Age-Appropriate Task       Until Complete
Tries Hard And Can Accept Mistakes/       Frustrations As Part Of Learning       Process
Asks For Favorite Stories
Remembers Past Events
Can Make Choices When Asked
Welcomes Opportunities For Field       Trips
Shows Pride In Accomplishments
Can Verbalize About Self And Feelings
Can Use Understandable Language