What type of record consists of short, factual narrative descriptions of a child's behavior?

Anecdotal records are a specific method of documentation used to capture and report short, factual narrative descriptions of a child's behavior. These records focus on a single incident or a brief observation that provides insight into the child's actions, reactions, and interactions in a specific context. The aim of anecdotal records is to provide a clear, objective account of observable behavior without the influence of interpretations or opinions, making them a vital tool in behavioral observation and assessment.

While running records involve continuous documentation of behavior over a specific period of time, capturing the sequence of events in detail, anecdotal records are concise and centered around particular instances. Checklists are structured tools that list specific behaviors or skills to be observed and marked off, rather than providing narrative context. Observation summaries synthesize information from various observations into a broader overview, lacking the focused detail and narrative quality of anecdotal records. Therefore, the definition and purpose of anecdotal records align perfectly with the question's requirement for short, factual narrative descriptions of a child's behavior.