Session 2

• Mathematics
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Performance outcome 3

Plan, provide and review care, play and educational opportunities to enable children to progress.

Session 2

T - level in education and Early Years 

[e-mail] 

Learning objectives

By the end of the session, all learners will : 

• Develop comprehensive knowledge of the different methods of observation and assessment used in Early Years. (S3.12)
• Revisit the importance of understand different approaches to assessment for children. (K3.2)
• Draw knowledge of bio - ecological systems theory and its impact on observations. 

Starter 

As a group, recall and mindmap / list all of the different forms of observations you are aware of?

Standarised testing: 

It is important that an Early years educators there is standardised approach to observing young children. This is  a 'responsive pedagogy'.

All practitioners need to demonstrate a uniform approach and expectation when assessing and observing young children. 

There are many different approaches that can be considered to assessing young children:

- Types of observational practices need a varied approach. 

- Question & answer 

- Partnership working 

- Impact of biological and environmental factors. 

Recall key facts about Urie Bronfenbrenner's bio - ecological systems theory.

Urie Bronfenbrenner 

Biological and environmental factors

It is important to be aware of the different biological and environmental factors

 that can indirectly affect development in Early Years.  This affects our

 observations as children will begin to behaviour in a specific way due to 

indirect factors.

Biological factors: Health / illness , personality traits, SEND

Environmental factors: Physical stimulation, language rich environment, 

cognitive ability, bilingualism , multilingualism. 

Often indirect factors can affect the observations completed on children, 

not always showing a true image or perspective. 

Bronfenbrenner promoted the importance of shaping knowledge

Urie Bronfenbrenner 

Biological and environmental factors

The original concept of the theory was refomred in 1990's, this is 20 years after

he had evolved the theory. It was renamed to 'bioecological'. 

The model then considered and introduced 4 key concepts: 

1. Process - the interactions the child experienced with others and the environment (proximal processes)

2. Person: The child's individual characteristics - personality / abilities and temperament. 

3. Context: Emphasising the importance of the ecological systems (nested) to provide a setting for development. 

4. Time: The Chronosystem was added - historical changes over time. 

When observing children, the developmental processes of the bioecological systems can vary the specific characteristic of a child .

Understanding Observational methods.

Narrative:

A long written record completed for a period of time. 

this is detailed observation that shows accurate

assessing and planning in line with planning cycle. 

When you write a narrative observation, it needs to 

have the date / time, name of the observer, finish time.

Go to page 267 and take a look at an example. 

Time sample:

Need to prepare a chart in advance

Use to show snapshot observations over a period of time

Focus on what the child is doing at regular intervals, including social group, with comments

Advantages: shows how a child spends their time, how they play and socialise with others; easy to record; covers a range of areas of development and learning

Disadvantages: time-consuming to complete; can be interrupted by unforeseen circumstances

Narrative, running/written reports

Time sample 

Child tracker 

Online learning journal

Checklist 

Sociograms 

Sticky notes/ jotting

Time sample example

Child tracker

This observation method is used to establish children's play 

interests and how long they are interacting in these activities. 

- Supports to check if a child is able to interact.

- Establish play interests 

To successfully carry out a child tracker, a plan for both indoor and outdoor spaces need to be established. 

It is important to establish the time spent in each section mapped in your observation. 

Understanding Observational methods.

Learning stories/ journal 

This approach to observations can be both hand written or electronic.

Eletronical approaches are more popular in the present. Using electronic formats such as iconnect / tapestry. 

Generically both the hand written and electronic versions will include: photographs or short clips with comments added at the bottom. The practitioners will highlight key links to development & also capture 'wow' moments.

Disadvantages: the quality of the observation can become reliant on the images and clips used.

Checklist: 

Checklists are similar to a tick chart, they often contain predetermined milestones that you would expect a child to achieve + a short comment to support. 

It is important to be considerate of age and stage of development.

Understanding Observational methods.

Sociogram

This is a form of recording observation focusing on children's friendships. Really nice way of observing for PSED.

Children will report who they are playing with. 

A grid system is then used to see if there are children who are mentioned frequently.

It also helps practitioners identify friendships amongst groups. 

Disadvantages: 

- Friendships are not always stable 

- If a child is absent they may forget to mention the.

Sticky notes / post it notes

Need post-it notes & pen

Use to record a snapshot description of what is happening there & then. 

More than one post it note is required

Focus on a specific event or achievement – a ‘wow’ moment!

Advantages: quick & easy; spontaneous, does not need forward planning

Disadvantages: takes experience to use these effectively; provides limited information; can be difficult to evaluate; easy to lose.

Time stamp 

Start time and end time 

Name of observer

Example

Understanding your project brief

As part of performance outcome 3 you will also complete mini projects to demonstrate your knowledge of the skills criteria for this element.

 

For project 1 the evidence required is:

Practice observations on a child with links to Development Matters 2023.(Sociogram / checklist / child tracker)

 Witness statement between you are your supervisor discussing the importance of formal assessments . Could be either 2 year old, reception baseline assessment, EYFS profile.

SEND support plan to be created to understand how to support each individual's needs.

Everyone will need a new parent slip & permission from your setting's manager.