Assessment of children’s knowledge, understandings, skills and capabilities is an essential ingredient of planning for and promoting new learning and development.
Assessment is designed to discover what children know, understand, and can do. Assessment may be based on how children move and regulate themselves, what they make, write, draw, say and can do, and what their family and professionals report about them.
All children benefit when assessment reflects a whole-child approach that may include their health and wellbeing, reveals their strengths, and shows what might next be learnt.
Assessment of children as connected with and contributing to their world
This literature review
documents the research that underpins and defines the concept of connection and contribution, which includes developing a sense of belonging to groups and communities, and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active civic participation; responding to diversity with respect; becoming aware of fairness; and becoming socially responsible and showing respect for the environment.
Assessment of children as having a strong sense of identity
This literature review
documents the research that underpins and defines the concept of a strong sense of identity, which includes a sense of safety and security, autonomy and agency, a sense of self, and respectful interaction with others .
Assessment of children as confident and involved learners
This literature review documents the research that underpins and defines learning for children from birth to eight years, and outlines their trajectory as confident and involved learners.
Download the Assessment of children as confident and involved learners literature review (pdf - 848.47kb)
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Assessment of children as effective communicators
This literature review documents the research that underpins and defines communication for children from birth to eight years. It outlines their trajectory of communication development and the different modes and components of language.
Download Assessment of children as effective communicators literature review (docx - 272.4kb)
Download Assessment of children as effective communicators literature review (pdf - 403.93kb)
Assessment of children as having a strong sense of wellbeing
This literature review documents the research that underpins and defines wellbeing for children from birth to five years. It outlines the trajectory for children's wellbeing, and the learning environments and responsive interactions that support their wellbeing.
Download Assessment of wellbeing in early childhood education and care literature review (docx - 312.04kb)
Download Assessment of wellbeing in early childhood education and care literature review (pdf - 315.98kb)
Planning Cycle Resource
The Planning Cycle Resource has been designed to:
- demonstrate how the VEYLDF Early Years Planning Cycle can be applied to observe, assess and respond to evidence of children's learning.
- illustrate and provide a model for the teaching of specific concepts to children aged from birth to eight years within everyday learning environments.
Read the
Early Years Planning Cycle Resource for the VEYLDF for more information.