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In this video, an adult prompts a child to view an animal on a zoo webcam.  Observing and discussing can take many different forms, largely because observation is an unpredictable process. Looking at plants as they grow in a garden, for example, will be very different from observing otters in an aquarium.  No matter the situation, this video offers you guidance on how you can capitalize on a child’s curiosity and turn any interesting event into an opportunity for learning.

• The adult begins the process by asking the child what she already knows about panda bears and then prompts her to think about what she would like to learn.  Asking questions like this before observing something (whether it is new or familiar) can help focus the observation process and guide the discussion questions you’ll ask later on.

• As observation and discussion continue, the adult asks questions that prompt the child to describe what she’s seeing.  The adult also asks follow-up questions that require the child to clarify what she has observed or talk more about what she’s said. As you discuss, try to avoid questions that the child could answer with “yes” or “no.”  Beginning questions with phrases such as “What do you mean by,” “Why do you think,” “What would happen if,” and so forth, will keep the child engaged in the observation and discussion process.

• Be flexible as you discuss. Depending on what the child sees, the conversation can take any number of directions.  Be ready to follow the discussion wherever the event leads you.

• Look for ways to extend learning as the observation draws to a close.  In this example, the adult asks the child what she expects to see and learn the next time they visit the zoo webcam.  You could also suggest the child write about what he or she saw, or you and the child could look online or find and read a book to answer some of the questions he or she had while observing.