Laser Lessons - Lesson

Understand the role of observation in promoting children’s learning and development

Table of Contents

In this tutorial you will learn:

That we can learn a great deal through observing children
That observation is important and should be used as the starting point for planning activities
About the planning cycle

Table of Contents

Try to obtain and read a copy of ‘A Practical Guide to Child Observations and Assessments’ by Christine Hobart and Jill Frankel, published by Nelson Thornes 2009 4th edition. Your local library service will either have this title or be able to order it for you.
Spend time with an experienced practitioner finding out how they use their observations to inform planning. Watch for ways in which they use their knowledge of their own key children and general child development to extend children’s play.
Click to find and read the Standards and Testing Agency’s latest EYFS Profile Handbook.
This article from Nursery World gives more information on ‘EYFS Best Practice: Observation – challenging assumptions’.
Think about the various ways you carry out observations and how you store them. How do you ensure they are kept confidential? Are there any improvements you can make?
Observations are used in progress checks. Click on the link to read more about progress checks at the age of two as part of the EYFS.

Think And Challenge