I received a really interesting email enquiry this morning that went something like this,
'I have the Teaching
Made Easy Obs App on my iPad. I am wondering how I can add the Principles
and Practices to the Obs which needs to be on them.'
My response follows ...
Why aren’t the Principles and Practices of the EYLF
included on the ‘Teaching Made Easy – Child Observations’ iPad App?
It is the outcomes which refer to what you see children
doing/saying/learning and therefore you record and report a child's progress against the outcomes in a Child Observation. The principles of the EYLF
are essentially our beliefs as early year’s educators, for example,
through your observation you are building reciprocal relationships,
showing your commitment to reflective practices as you use what you observed to plan possible next steps etc. The practices are what you do
as an educator. Through the learning story that you write about the experience of the child as you observed it (the observation), you are
likely to refer to aspects of your teaching practice such as your responsiveness to the child (what you said or did), how the child has
learned through play and any intentional teaching you did or plan to do as a result. You can show evidence of the principles and practices
of the EYLF in your service simply by choosing ‘Teaching Made Easy, Child Observations’ for continuous documentation of learning.
The National Quality Standards Professional Learning Program have
identified many myths and assumptions made by educators implementing the NQS and EYLF. Following is their information regarding
the Myths and Realities around Child Observations.
More Myths and Realities can be found here
If this is an issue in your service I hope this information assists you in your
professional dialogue regarding Child Observations.
Andrea :-)
