Students, teachers, parents, and professional child care providers and educators turn to this expertly written guide when they need detailed information on observing, recording and interpreting behavior in children from birth through age eight. It offers a combination of theoretical and practical aspects of observation. Readers will learn general observation guidelines and the basic elements of observing and recording children's behavior. Six chapters address recording techniques and instruments in great detail, including the pluses and minuses of each. The author, an authority in the field, dedicates considerable space in the book to the interpretation of one's observations, implementation of findings, and ongoing evaluation. Readers can apply all they have learned by employing some of the many observation exercises presented in the five final chapters, each dedicated to a particular age group.