CORs Applied

High Scope Child Observation Records (CORs) Applied

I use the High Scope Child Observation Records (CORs) as a tool for analysing and bringing on children's development.

There are different CORs for Infants and Toddlers and Preschool Children since they are at significantly different stages of development.

When a child joins my service the parents are given a booklet that outlines all the High Scope Observation Record Categories and Observation Items in each category for the developmental stage of their child.

The Observation Item categories for each developmental group are listed on the CORs page.

Each of the categories listet has a certain number of items. (As noted on the CORs page. For copyright reasons I cannot give all the COR items here.)

As an example the first category of the Infants and Toddlers CORs 'Sense of Self' is given on the right.

Each of the COR items in any category has 5 developmental levels, which describe 5 developmental stages of children in that age group. Please see the example for the first COR item in the 'Infant and Toddler' COR 'Sense of Self' category '' on the right to clarify this issue.

By watching and interacting with the children I establish what developmental stage they are at. I write down short 'anecdotes' that I witness when I am with the children. Please see the anecdote on the right as an example. I then use these anecdotes as evidence of which High Scope COR item level the children are at and can then design activities around the children's interests (which I know from observing them) in order to facilitate children's development. [This is not so easy to grasp at first go. If you have any questions concerning this I am happy to answer them.]

I find the High Scope CORs an invaluable tool for keeping up to date with children's development. They make it very easy to keep the children challenged, which is necessary in order to prevent boredom and stagnation.

They are invaluable tools to help me facilitate children's development.

Example High Scope COR Category with 4 Observation Items

I. Sense of Self

A. Expressing Initiative
B. Distinguishing Self from others
C. Solving Problems
D. Developing self-help skills

Example High Scope COR Observation Item with 5 Levels

I. Sense of Self

A. Expressing Initiative

Level 1. Child turns toward or away from a person or object.
Level 2. Child initiates or avoids contact with a person or object.
Level 3. Child moves with persistence until reaching a chosen person or object.
Level 4. Child says “No!”
Level 5. Child expresses a choice or intention in words.

B. Distinguishing Self from others
C. Solving Problems
D. Developing self-help skills

Example Anecdote

Sense of Self
Date: 22/04/11
Observer: Claudia
Item: A
Level: 2

During breakfast Claudia (caregiver) offered Tommy some porridge on a spoon. Tommy first looked at it, then shook his head, and finally looked away.