Overview

Use this free Play Environment Running Record Form to take a snapshot of what’s happening in your early learning play space over the course of 10 minutes.

Using The Play Environment Running Record Form

Fill out the top section of the form to get started. Enter the observer’s name, the environment being observed, the reason for the observation, and the date.

Next, make yourself small in the environment you’re observing–try not to call attention to yourself. You may need to settle in for a bit before starting the observation, so you’re not a distraction. You’ll want a clock, timer, or stopwatch handy, so you can track the minutes as they tick past. After you’ve faded into the background, start your 10-minute observation. Write what you observe during each minute of the observation in the corresponding box. Try to be neutral and unbiased in your observations. When the 10 minutes has passed, log the observation’s start and end time.

Now you have captured 10 minutes of history that you can use to better understand how the children use the play space, what they are interested, their behaviors, and more.

Here’s The Free Play Environment Running Record Form

Download it, print it, and use it to help better understand what’s happening in your early learning environment:

Related Posts

More posts related to early learning program operations at the links:

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Post Author

Jeff Johnson

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Jeff Johnson is an early learning trainer, podcaster, and author who founded Explorations Early Learning, Playvolution HQ, and Play Haven.

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