Hey educator, I know your pain. Whether English is your second or first language, we all feel lost for words at times of documenting children’s learning. It may be the same writer’s block, but don’t despair, there are ways to get over this challenge. Finding the right words to write observations in childcare can make the process much smoother.
Writing observations in childcare can be challenging, especially when it comes to finding the right words to describe a child’s behaviour, emotions, and developmental milestones. Using varied and descriptive language is essential to paint an accurate picture and provide meaningful insights for educators, parents, and caregivers. Here are some helpful word lists to make writing childcare observations easier and more effective.
1. Action Words to write observations 🏃♀️➡️
Use these words to describe specific actions and behaviours that you see in children during activities.
| Verb | Examples |
|---|---|
| Observes | peers, nature, surroundings |
| Engages | in play, with materials, with others |
| Explores | new environments, textures, sounds |
| Interacts | with peers, with adults, with toys |
| Manipulates | objects, toys, art supplies |
| Participates | in group activities, in discussions |
| Asks | questions, for help, about concepts |
| Shows | interest, curiosity, empathy |
| Initiates | play, conversation, actions |
| Builds | blocks, puzzles, towers |
| Sorts | by color, size, shape |
| Assembles | puzzles, building materials, toys |
| Practices | new skills, self-help tasks, motor skills |
| Demonstrates | understanding, problem-solving skills |
| Imitates | actions, sounds, behaviours |
2. Emotion Words❤️to write observations
Describing a child’s emotions helps to convey how they react to various situations.
| Emotion | Examples |
|---|---|
| Happy | smiles, laughs, claps |
| Excited | jumps, squeals, wide-eyed |
| Curious | leans forward, asks questions, investigates |
| Frustrated | frowns, sighs, furrows brows |
| Proud | smiles, beams, shows others |
| Anxious | withdraws, appears hesitant |
| Calm | relaxed, sits quietly, watches others |
| Confident | takes the lead, speaks up, shows off |
| Sad | tears up, quiet, tend to avoid eye contact |
| Empathetic | comforts others, shares, offers help |
| Angry | clenched fists, raised voice, stomps |
| Focused | intent gaze, quiet, concentrates |
| Silly | laughs, makes faces, exaggerates movements |
| Surprised | wide eyes, open mouth, gasps |
3. Social Interaction Words🗣️to write observations
These words help describe how a child interacts with others, whether one-on-one or in group settings.
| Social Interaction | Examples |
|---|---|
| Shares | toys, materials, food |
| Takes Turns | with toys, in conversations, during activities |
| Helps | others, caregivers, with tasks |
| Joins | in group play, in circle time, in discussions |
| Follows | directions, rules, peers |
| Leads | games, group activities, discussions |
| Cooperates | with others, in tasks, in cleanup |
| Shows Respect | waits patiently, listens, considers others |
| Seeks Attention | by speaking up, approaching adults, showing toys |
| Observes | other children, group activities, surroundings |
| Comforts | friends, peers, shows concern |
| Engages | in parallel play, in cooperative play |
| Responds | to others, to questions, to interactions |
| Disagrees | politely, verbally, through body language |
| Includes | others in play, encourages participation |
4. Cognitive and Learning Words🧐to write observations
These words are helpful for describing a child’s cognitive and learning processes, such as problem-solving and critical thinking.
| Cognitive Skills | Examples |
|---|---|
| Recognises | shapes, colours, letters |
| Identifies | names, sounds, objects |
| Counts | objects, fingers, items in a set |
| Matches | shapes, colours, similar objects |
| Sorts | by size, by type, by function |
| Predicts | outcomes, next steps, reactions |
| Remembers | past events, routines, facts |
| Solves | puzzles, problems, conflicts |
| Classifies | animals, colours, objects |
| Reasons | about choices, with logic, based on experience |
| Experiments | with materials, with sounds, with patterns |
| Concludes | about actions, from observations |
| Questions | how things work, why things happen |
| Compares | sizes, quantities, similarities |
| Notices | details, differences, changes |
5. Motor Skills Words🤲🏻 to write observations
These words describe a child’s physical development, including both fine and gross motor skills.
| Fine Motor Skills | Gross Motor Skills |
|---|---|
| Grasps | Runs |
| Holds | Jumps |
| Pinches | Climbs |
| Threads | Balances |
| Squeezes | Throws |
| Cuts | Catches |
| Draws | Walks |
| Paints | Dances |
| Stacks | Hops |
| Zips | Skips |
| Ties | Marches |
| Puzzles | Kicks |
| Builds | Swings |
| Turns | Crawls |
| Buttons | Rolls |
6. Communication Words🎙️to write observations
Use these words to describe how children communicate, both verbally and non-verbally.
| Communication Skill | Examples |
|---|---|
| Speaks | in full sentences, loudly, softly |
| Asks | questions, for help, for clarification |
| Responds | to instructions, to questions, to others |
| Listens | attentively, to peers, to adults |
| Repeats | words, phrases, actions |
| Names | objects, colours, people |
| Gestures | points, waves, nods |
| Expresses | thoughts, feelings, ideas |
| Signs | basic words, emotions, needs |
| Mimics | sounds, actions, words |
| Converses | with peers, with adults, during play |
| Describes | experiences, objects, feelings |
| Informs | about events, actions, preferences |
| Uses | vocabulary, sentence structure, expressions |
| Answers | questions, prompts, yes/no questions |
7. Creative and Imaginative Words🎨
These words describe children’s imaginative play and creative activities.
| Creativity & Imagination | Examples |
|---|---|
| Pretends | to be someone else, to cook, to be an animal |
| Draws | pictures, lines, shapes |
| Paints | with brushes, with fingers, with sponges |
| Builds | with blocks, with materials, with sand |
| Invents | new games, new stories, new characters |
| Plays | house, doctor, teacher |
| Decorates | art pieces, sandcastles, blocks |
| Acts | out scenes, stories, roles |
| Creates | patterns, designs, scenes |
| Imagines | being a character, going on adventures |
| Molds | with clay, with playdough, with sand |
| Sings | songs, rhymes, tunes |
| Dances | to music, with rhythm, with friends |
| Tells | stories, jokes, fantasies |
| Designs | pictures, art projects, structures |
Putting it All Together
When writing an observation, try to combine words from several categories to create a rich description. For example:
“James observed his friends as they built a block tower, showing curiosity by asking questions. He then joined in, stacking blocks carefully. He showed pride in his work, smiling and clapping as the tower grew taller. Throughout, he demonstrated patience, waiting for his turn to add to the structure.”
These word lists can help you paint a complete picture of each child’s unique actions, emotions, and learning moments. They’re also handy for creating detailed, meaningful observations that capture the child’s development over time.
Download👇🏻 this guide to have all these words in one place. It is free! 🥐
