Worksheet for Observing the Effects of Development in the Scope of Autonomy in 2- to 3-year-old Children (WOA)

Abstract

This article presents the results of an assessment of the psychometric values of a tool intended to assess the developmental changes occurring in 2- to 3-year-old children spending most of the day in early childhood education and care institutions. An assessment of the developmental achievements of small children was an element of an empirically validated diagnostic concept of the conditions created for children in such institutions. The worksheet for observing the effects of development in the scope of autonomy in 2- to 3-year-old children was one of five tools used in longitudinal studies, with two measurements carried out in the period from December 2017 to July 2018. The studies were conducted using a quantitative strategy and included 131 children attending 10 groups in 4 establishments and 20 caregivers working full time in these groups. The article also discusses the theoretical underpinnings adopted to build the scale and provides its detailed characteristics. Data on the reliability of the scale has also been presented: the value of Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and the mean inter-item correlations in both measurements along with data on the agreement between two judges determined as Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r). The data collected demonstrates the high reliability of the scale in the two presented measurements, while data concerning validity confirms its psychometric value. Factor analysis became the basis for adjustments in the allocation of indicators to given subscales measuring manifestations of autonomy.