Professionals working with children--whether in education, social work, or other child-focused fields--are increasingly recognizing the importance of developing child observation skills. At the time, systematic approaches to studying children were still undergoing significant development and refinement.

First published in 1987, Child Observation Skills offers an engaging exploration of the history, philosophy, and methodology of directly observing children. It examines research designs employed in observational studies, provides practical exercises, and outlines methods for recording behaviour. Importantly, the book consistently connects these research practices to philosophical considerations, emphasizing the interplay between the prevailing philosophy of science and the ways observations are conducted and data are recorded. This resource is invaluable for students and researchers in child psychology and human development.