Learning to Objectively Observe Kids (LOOK)

Learning to Objectively Observe Kids (LOOK) is an early childhood mental health consultation model developed in partnership with early childhood education programs as part of funding from the U.S. Department of Education. 

LOOK is a set of professional development resources designed to support early childhood teachers' use of effective strategies when addressing challenging behaviors in the classroom.

LOOK includes:

• Online learning modules
• Assessment reports to identify children's strengths and challenges
• Easy-to-use strategy guides
• Guided classroom video review with a consultant

The goals of LOOK are to:

• Help young children successfully regulate their behavior, attention and emotions
• Support teachers in addressing challenging behaviors in early care and education classrooms

Funding Source: Institute of Education Sciences (IES)
Principal Investigators: Jason Downer, Amanda Williford, Rebecca Bulotsky-Shearer (University of Miami)
Partners: University of Miami

How LOOK Supports Teachers

• A mental health consultant provides individualized collaborative support.
• Online learning modules provide practice for honing observational skills and introduce teachers to a framework for observing important behaviors in the classroom.
• A guided video-review process of classroom footage provides opportunities for reflection and feedback around strategy implementation.
• Teachers have access to a menu of evidence-based strategies to address challenging behaviors in the classroom.
• Assessment reports highlight strengths and challenges of children and guide strategy selection.

The LOOK Model

Together with consultants, teachers involved in LOOK engage in a 4-phase process to address challenging behaviors.
1.    LOOK. Teachers objectively observe what is happening in the classroom
2.    ANALYZE. Teachers analyze the context in which challenging behaviors occur
3.    PLAN. Using information from the analysis, teachers choose strategies to implement in the classroom.
4.    ACT. Consultants guide teachers to implement strategies effectively.

This process repeats itself throughout the year. Through observation, video analysis, and consultant feedback, teachers become better observers and meet the needs of children who are struggling to regulate their behavior, attention, and emotions.