Observing Young Children: A Tool for Meaningful Assessment (ages Birth to Five) - Paperback

by Mary O'Connell (Author)

At last, a research-based tool for meaningful developmental assessment based on the whole child. This tool is specifically tailored for use by early childhood teachers and care providers who embrace and honor the spirit of the developing child, as found in Waldorf education and other child-centered models of care and education. Observing Young Children is an open-ended assessment tool that you can tailor to your own needs. Observing Young Children offers a system of meaningful observation, a tool for recording observations, and research-based timelines for 33 areas of child development across five domains (Social/Emotional, Physical, Cognitive, Language and Approach to Learning). Teachers and caregivers can use this tool to record observations of children in their care, help to determine where children may need extra support, prepare for parent-teacher conferences, or simply to use as a reference. Parents can use this tool to follow the timeline of their child's development and provide just the right support for the child's emerging skills.

Author Biography

Mary O'Connell is President of the board of LifeWays North America and co-author of the book Home Away from Home: LifeWays Care of Children and Families. After operating a home childcare program while her own three children were young, Mary founded LifeWays Early Childhood Center in Milwaukee, WI where she served as director for 13 years. Mary teaches in LifeWays trainings across the country and serves as Training Coordinator for LifeWays North America. She also directs Paradise Farm education program in West Bend, WI.