The assessment process is well recognised as a critical feature of the planning cycle in the early childhood sector yet misunderstandings and uncertainties can stand in the way of applying it effectively in practice. Assessment and Learning is an insightful guide for educators and directors to make the most of this process by developing a clear understanding of why we need to document, observe, synthesise and interpret information and how these evaluations and interpretations then link to planning for and with children.
Highly experienced Australian educator and author Bridie Raban, explores each of these aspects of the process, while recognising all need to be in place to foster each child’s learning, development and wellbeing through rich and stimulating experiences.
Because no one set format will suit all purposes or occasions in every early childhood setting, each section concludes with prompts for discussion. They are designed to guide you and your colleagues in deciding how to set about these activities in ways that best reflect your philosophy, your children and their families, and the communities you engage with and belong to.
Features – This book:
- Supports the professional development of both educators and directors in early childhood settings
- Offers practical guidance on how to nurture children’s learning, development and wellbeing through your documentation, reflection, evaluation, planning and assessment
- Caters for a great diversity of early childhood settings by identifying and encouraging further exploration of a range of approaches to achieve meaningful assessment for, of and as learning
- Provides an informed point of reference in relation to the assessment process as set out in Australia’s the Early Years Learning Framework
About the Author:
Bridie Raban was the Foundation Mooroolbeek Professor of Early Childhood Studies at the University of Melbourne. She is currently an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education and in 2021, she was awarded an Honorary University Fellowship by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU). Her past research has focused on language and literacy development, teacher change and development, curriculum and assessment for the early childhood years and quality provision. She was the first Professor of Early Childhood Education in Victoria and the second in Australia, and before this she was Professor of Primary Education (Early Years) at the University of Warwick and President of the UK Reading Association.
