Observation is one of a child's most powerful learning tools at the earliest stages of learning, and continues to be a significant method of learning and comprehension throughout a child's life. This is one of the main reasons that nearly all of the first learning materials are administered in a visual format. The observation abilities of a child can also be an indicator of a problem, as a lack
. of observation skills can be caused by learning disabilities, poor eyesight and several other very real problems. Fortunately, if recognized and addressed, these problems can easily be overcome, and many of the tools that are used to do so are, in fact, observation based learning tools.Some of the most basic observation learning tools for kids are shape, number and letter recognition. These are also the building blocks of further education, illustrating how a lack of observation skills can deter a proper learning progression. These same principles are actually some of the underlying benefits of using tools such as flash cards, tasking kids to identify and process the information quickly from observation alone. Another unexpected benefit of observation exercises is the fact that it promotes focus and concentration, an extremely useful aspect for kids with seemingly endless energy supplies, as well as with kids suffering hyper-active disorders.Some great examples of observation samples and learning platforms for teachers, kids and parents alike are found at www.KidsGames.org, and some very detailed and in-depth explanations and examples are available from the Purdue University website, at www.Education.Calumet.Purdue.edu. The Kids Games website offers a large selection of games and activities for many different age groups, and the information provided in the Purdue reports helps parents and teachers understand what the actual strategies and benefits are. Building strong observational skills requires practice and repetition, though kids often have so much fun interacting and physically engaging in activities that they often do not even realize they are learning. More reference links: http://education.calumet.purdue.edu/vockell/edpsybook/edpsy12/edpsy12intro.htm http://www.kidsgames.org/observation/free-observation-game.html
