1 Essentially, observations help teachers be more accountable

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  1 Essentially, observations help teachers be more accountable. To provide children with a safe and nurturing learning environment and to maintain program effectiveness, teachers must incorporate observation, documentation, and assessment into their daily routines. To truly be effective, teachers must develop skills and strategies that are grounded in best practices. In this chapter, you will be presented with information that highlights how observation and documentation can be used as a key strategy to ensure intentional teaching. You will examine the initial steps to take to become a skilled observer, and you will reflect on how to objectively document the interactions that you see and the conversations that you hear. It is important to note that becoming a skilled observer takes time and practice and that learning how to incorporate observation, documentation, and assessment into your regular routines and daily duties requires some thoughtful consideration