First, observation.

Observation is a method to systematically observe the activities, behaviors, languages and their occurrence conditions of the observed objects, so as to study their psychological activities. The psychological activities of preschool children are obviously explicit. By observing their external behavior, we can understand their psychological activities. Therefore, observation is the most basic and commonly used method in the research of preschool children's developmental psychology.

To carry out observation research, we must first carry out observation design, which usually includes three steps: first, determine the process content; Secondly, choose the observation strategy; Finally, make an observation record.

The advantage of observation method is that the material obtained is more realistic. Its limitation is that the quality of the data obtained is greatly influenced by the observer's own ability level and psychological factors. In addition, the experimental conditions are not controlled by the observer. And the application of observation often needs more manpower, material resources and time.

Second, the experimental method

Experimental method refers to the method of artificially and purposefully controlling and changing certain conditions, so that the experimenter can have certain psychological activities, so as to conduct analysis and research. The purpose of the experiment on preschool children is to discover the constant changes of psychological activities caused by controlling and changing children's activity conditions, so as to reveal the relationship between specific conditions and psychological phenomena.

There are two experimental methods: laboratory experimental method and natural experimental method. Laboratory experiment is a research method to arouse and record the psychological activities of subjects under strictly controlled experimental conditions with the help of special experimental instruments.

The main advantage of laboratory experiment method is that it can strictly control the conditions, can be repeated, and can detect some difficult-to-observe situations through specific instruments and equipment to obtain valuable scientific data.

The disadvantage of studying children's psychology through laboratory experiments is that children often have unnatural psychological state in the laboratory environment, which leads to the fact that the experimental results are not necessarily true and has certain limitations.

Natural experiment is a research method that experimenters create or change certain conditions in natural environment to arouse some psychological activities of subjects.

The advantage of natural experiment method is that experimenters can control and change some conditions, and at the same time use daily natural situations to explore some changes in psychological activities. Subjects can avoid the tension caused by laboratory experimental methods and keep their natural state. Therefore, the research results are more realistic.

Its disadvantage is that the experimental situation is often difficult to control, and in many cases it needs to be verified and supplemented by laboratory experiments.

Third, the test method

Test method is a method to understand the psychological development level of subjects according to certain test items and scales. This test method can be used to study the individual differences of individual behaviors at a certain level, and can also be used to study the relationship between two or more behaviors of subjects.

The advantage of the test method is that it is relatively simple and can roughly understand the development of children in a short time. But it also has serious shortcomings: the test results are often only the results of the subjects completing the task, and can not explain the process of achieving the results; The test only makes quantitative analysis, and it is difficult to make qualitative analysis; It is difficult to apply the test questions to children with different life backgrounds at the same time.

When testing children, pay attention to the following points:

1, because children's ability to work independently is poor and imitative, individual tests are adopted for children instead of group tests.

2. Testers must undergo special training, not only to master the testing technology, but also to master the skills of working with children in order to get the cooperation of children.

3. The child's psychology is immature and his psychological activities are unstable. Therefore, children's development level can not be judged only by the results of any test.

Fourth, the investigation and visit method

The investigation and interview method is a research method that researchers systematically understand and investigate children's psychological phenomena through questionnaires or interviews, and make statistical or theoretical analysis of the collected data.

The advantage of investigation and interview method is that investigators can collect a lot of useful information in a short time and it is convenient to use, so this method is widely used.

Its disadvantage is that the accuracy of the results may be affected by the low recovery rate of the questionnaire. In addition, interviewees may not cooperate seriously sometimes, which may affect the authenticity of the results. Moreover, the way of talking can only be limited to a few people, which takes a lot of time and is not easy to implement.

Five, job analysis method

Work analysis is a method to understand children's development through the analysis of children's works (handicrafts, paintings, etc.). ) Because preschool children often use sounds and expressions to assist or supplement ideas that can't be expressed in their works, it is difficult to fully understand their psychological activities without their creative process when analyzing works.

The analysis of preschool children's works is best combined with observation and experiment.