Laser Lessons - Lesson

Be able to assess the development needs of children or young people and prepare a development plan

Table of Contents

‘Observational methods’ on the Complex Needs website.

Observational methods are useful ways in which practitioners can build judgements about individual children. There is a whole range of methods but some are easier to use in a busy environment than others

Table of Contents

Observation of children is a fundamental professional skill, used in everyday practice. This document Explaining the Observation, Assessment and Planning cycle’, produced for the Early Years, explains the way in which observation enables us to be aware of and ‘see’ the unique child in the broader context of their lives including their family, culture and community (the bigger picture) as well as the context of their everyday development and learning (the detailed picture) and how what we provide supports their progress (the curriculum).
Click to read ‘A closer look at observation methods, tools and techniques’ from the Social Science Libre Text website.
Click this icon and have a look at some articles available on the Birth to 5 Matters website. There are lots of useful things about children’s special needs and planning, so pick an article from the selection that seems interesting to you.
Talk with your colleagues to find out about how observational findings are shared with others in your setting.
Create an information sheet for parents to explain your setting’s procedures for observations and assessment.
Look at your setting’s policy on confidentiality and ensure that you are clear about the circumstances in which you would pass on confidential information and to whom.

Think And Challenge