Longitudinal study observations.. 😫

[Mermaid0203]

Firstly hello!

I am currently studying for my level 3 EYE. This is my second attempt at beginning my longitudinal studies. My tutor threw me in the deep end last time and I had no idea what I was doing, with zero experience and beginning studying at level 3. I'm a little bit more confident now, but am still a tiny bit confused.

So I've understood that I need to complete 4 cycles of planning, observations and evaluations and then a critical evaluation at the end over 6 weeks. I have my target children, my dates on which I need to observe etc.

What Im Really stuck on is how many times I'm expected to observe. I've chosen pse for a 2 year old and plan on doing tracker obs and narratives. It says on my sheet " tracker - 3 x observations to be carried out for approx 1 hour during day 1, week 1..." does this mean I am meant to observe 3 times for an hour each time, each day? That's like 3 hours of observation. How am I meant to get any work done? We're not in a position for me to sit back and take 3 hours out. Most of our children are only in for 3 hours. I'll be observing him the entire time he's there.

Same as narrative "3 observations to be carried out for 20 minutes during day 1..etc"

Please help me, I've been close to the edge with this studying quite often, but this longitudinal study is really killing me. 😫😩😫😂

[Ruthierhyme]

Hi, a warm welcome to the site. You need to clarify all this with your tutor so you know exactly what's needed and expected of you, explain the times your child is in attendance for and organise a meeting with your manager so you can agree a schedule where you take 'hands-off' or PPA time and not feel guilty. I'm sure they understood this would be an important part of your course xx

Best wishes xx

Pages 382+ of the EYE textbook looks at planning & organinsing a longitudinal study

[Mermaid0203]

Thank you for your reply.

She did try to explain to me what was going on the first time round, but I'd just started working in childcare, and began my studying at level 3 so felt like I didn't have a clue. It all felt very rushed and sort of "oh you'll be fine".
I don't see my tutor again until Monday, but I will do the extra obs and hope that I've read it right.

Thanks again for your reply. Xx