Child Assessment Basics

In the field of early childhood education, teachersincludes children from birth to age eight and is a
of young children must find ways to show thatvery difficult period to assess because the rate
children are growing, developing, and learning. of growth is so rapid.  Also, growth is highly
Parents, as well as teachers, want to see proofinfluenced by nurturing parents, quality of care,
of growth and development.  Appropriateand the learning environment.
assessment methods can provide that proof. Parents want to be assured that their child is
Assessment is defined as "taking stock of aready for school.  In addition, teachers and
situation".  It is important that teachers of youngadministrators want to know if they are offering
children understand the need for assessment ineffective programs.  Therefore, assessment
the classroom setting, evaluate children and takeinformation is critical to the child, the parent, and
stock of their growth and development.the success of the program.
Authentic Assessment is defined as the processAssessment is a hot topic in the field of early
of documenting and evaluating growth andchildhood education as accountability becomes
development in real-life situations over time.  Itmore important for teachers and schools.  As
shows what children can do, what they know, andeducators, we must find ways to show we are
what they understand.  Rather than attemptingteaching and that children are learning.  It is
to explain a child's performance based on oneimperative to find methods that illustrate growth
test, this type of assessment focuses on theand development over time, allowing children to
progress and growth of a child over time. be evaluated in real-life, everyday settings.  It is
Authentic assessment helps to paint a morethe teacher's responsibility to find methods of
accurate picture of who the child is and how thedocumentation that report success of children.
child is growing and learning.By understanding the basic developmental areas
The term assessment, when used in the contextof the children you teach, assessment can be
of early childhood education, is sometimesmade simple.  Easy-to-learn methods of
interchanged with the term observation.assessment will help you document the
Observation is one method of assessing studentdevelopmental growth of young children over
growth and development and is probably thetime.
best-known, most widely used way that teachersLearn more about assessment tools for the
evaluate the progress of the young children theyclassroom. Visit ChildCare Education Institute to
teach.discover over 100 online child care training courses
Teachers may wonder what to assess whenthat meet the continuing education requirements
working with young children.  Using multiple formsof the child care industry.  Register for a sample
of assessment allows a teacher to reveal ancourse and try online learning today!
accurate picture of the child.  Early childhood