Assessing the Preschooler Part 1 of 5

 
We have all heard that business of children is play. It is how they learn and how they process their work. The question of the day would be how to assess children in an environment where there isn’t the traditional ability to assess children of this age group. I have spent hours of time and research attempting to figure out a way to probably assess children so that I could give them the best education. I have found for children this age that there are 4 main ways that have helped me to gauge where a child is currently and how fast they move to reach their next goal.
This topic will be split into four sections:

1. Play Observations
2. Writing Observations
3. Art observations
4. Directions observations

These are helpful and effective in helping to pinpoint the exact areas that can help a child.
Before we dig into the First Observation description, we need to talk about what you are Observing. Using the Mother Goose Time’s Developmental Continuum can make the job very easy.

This chart comes with the monthly curriculum, with an overall poster being sent at the beginning of the year. The four areas I use for observations are very helpful in trying to figure out what you are going to observe. For each of the 4 areas I have broken down I will be sure to include examples of how I used the chart to help assess the children.
When assessing, the lesson plan book sent by Mother Goose Time is something that is needed. It can help you map out what you are looking for that day. I will use the theme of the day Little Jack Horner. If I was assessing this theme I would be able to use the Purple Collage, we did for the day. This would fall under the Art Observations. On the Developmental Continuum chart, it would fall under Visual Arts. After that you pick the age group of the child you are working with. My age group would be Preschoolers. Follow the chart down and label the art project under whatever you think the child accomplished for the day with the project. Did they Make choices throughout the artistic process? Or did the choose an object or art tool to use with a given medium for a desired effect? Maybe they did both. Make a note on a sticky or on the note cards that are given on the Mother Goose Time website.
 
During this next week, I will use examples from the daily themes to show how to assess and showing where I store any writing or art observations!
 
Before I forget! We have a winner for our give away!

Tomika Robertson!
Please email your information to perfectstartpreschool@gmail.com. 

Until Next Time! 

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