Observing, Assessing and Planning for Children in the Early Years (Nursery World Routledge Essential Guides for Early Years Practitioners)

anyone Working With Young Children Will, By Their Very Nature, Be Extremely Good At Listening To Them, And To Watching Them Play And Learn. But How Can These Observations Be Properly Used And Understood? this Introductory Text Shows How By Observing Children Knowledgeably, Practitioners Can Plan For And Assess The Young Children In Their Care Much More Effectively. Observation As A 'tool For Learning' Has Long Been Considered To Be One Of The Most Beneficial Ways Of Teaching The Very Young, And This Book Introduces The Work Of People Who Have Become Famous For Their Skills As Observers, Exploring The Theories Behind Their Work And How This Can Be Related To The Day-to-day Nursery Environment. The Author Also Uses Case Studies Throughout To Explain In Detail How Young Childrens' Development Can Be Matched To Their Exact Needs And Interests, Creating A More Positive Learning Experience For All. This introductory text shows how, by observing children knowledgeably, early years practitioners can plan for and assess the young children in their care much more effectively.Each chapter contains practical advice, case studies, summaries, and a glossary of key terms, making this book a perfect, highly accessible introduction to: the work of key people who have become famous for their skills as observers; the theories behind their work and how this can be related to the day-to-day nursery environment; observation, assessment and the planning cycle in relation to the Foundation Stage Curriculum.Early years practitioners and students should find this a helpful and readable guide to improving their practice. It will also be invaluable to students studying childcare and early years education. This introductory text shows how, by observing children knowledgeably, practitioners can plan for and assess the young children in their care much more effectively. Observation as a 'tool for learning' has long been considered to be one of the most beneficial ways of teaching the very young, and this book introduces the work of people who have become famous for their skills as observers, exploring the theories behind their work and how this can be related to the day-to-day nursery environment. Sandra Smidt uses case studies throughout to explain in detail how young children's development can be matched to their exact needs and interests, creating a more positive learning experience for all. Half-title......Page 1 Title......Page 3 Copyright......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Introduction......Page 7 1. The thinking observer......Page 9 2. Assessing learning......Page 21 3. The search for the significant moment......Page 31 4. Giving feedback......Page 41 5. Learning and assessment......Page 51 6. Who are the experts?......Page 60 7. Record-keeping, profiling and conferencing......Page 69 8. Reporting and accountability......Page 80 Conclusion......Page 98 Bibliography......Page 100 Using theories and case studies, this is an introductory text for all involved in the development of young children.