Observing children's talk

[AnonyMouse_2157]

hello all

I am about to undertake a little action research with our team regarding the types of talk that children are using with each other. I wanted to create a proforma in which we can identify and record the types of talk which goes on in the Nursery.

has anyone done anything like this before I wonder? I have downloaded info from the National Literacy Trust about understanding the different types of talk but would be grateful if anyone has any experience of doing something like this? Any tips or pointers for carrying out the obs would be gratefully received.

I should say that we do observe children but really wanted to tune in on the type child/child conversations etc

 

[AnonyMouse_73]

What a great piece of action research, there is far lees out there about this than about adult to child interactions.

I don't have my book to hand but there may be something in the SSTEW (like ECERS but for sustained shared thinking and well being), does anyone else have a copy to hand they could take a peek in?

[AnonyMouse_5970]

When we were part of the ECaT pilot, there was something similar too. We did a provision map showing talking hotspots then looked at types of talk in each place. I don't think we had a special proforma but there maybe something if you search ECaT.

[AnonyMouse_2157]

Hi Mundia

it was the SSTEW handbook that got me started. I recently carried out one of the sub scale observations on staff using the booklet and it made me think about what talk really is going on within the setting. As we observe, play, plan in the moment alongside some children, we wondered what others where doing and what the type and quality of the interactions with each other were happening. We wondered do children really listen to each other and what level of talk between the parties was like.

I have downloaded the Ecat so will look at that. I like the idea of talk hotspots - I wonder if there are any particular areas within our setting that are more likely to encourage this? Will the obvious e.g. role play, small world prove to be typical or are there other places not so obvious? Yes, Stargrower I certainly will add the notion of 'hotspots' to the things to look our for.

Thank you both

[AnonyMouse_19354]

One of our talk 'hotspots' is definitely in the toilets!

[AnonyMouse_22106]

One of our talk 'hotspots' is definitely in the toilets!

Yes we find this too, especially with the quiet children :1b ​

[AnonyMouse_50365]

does anyone have any info on how I can find out my pre-schools talking hotspots?

 

Thanks in advance