Child Observation and Assessment

Rationale: Child observation and assessment gives early childhood educators reliable and valid procedures and practices to gather information on an individual child’s growth and development. By gathering information on growth, achievement, learning styles, interests, experiences, challenges and having an understanding of the individual child, professional's can use the curriculum and relationship practices to effectively support children through developmental stages. Policies, procedures, and practices for observation and assessment should be sensitive to individual children’s needs, culture, home language, and abilities. Policies, procedures, and practices must incorporate ethical standards around confidentiality and unbiased documentation. Sharing results with families and others involved in the child’s life is a critical component to child observation and assessment.