Viewing children holistically is a great way to get to know the whole child. It is also a great way to assess
children. It allows teachers to assess
so many different skills, not just the academic skills. They are able to assess fine motor skills,
gross motor skills, language development, social skills, and the environment in
which they live. What I think should be
assessed is all the skills combined. I
believe through play, observations, one-on-one time with the child, and
speaking with families about the child are ways that we can measure and assess
a child’s social and academic achievements.
Assessing the whole child is more than just focusing on academics. Young children learn best through play and
they can comprehend more than people realize.
Young children in Sweden are
assessed through observations. “Swedish preschools are now part
of a strong culture of assessment. Young children’s development and learning is
documented through tests and measurement, and is assessed using a variety of
diagnostic tools”(Arpi, T., 2011). They
assess numerous skills and do not place as much importance on the academic
skills as they do social skills.
References
Arpi,
T. 2011.
Early pedagogical
assessment of young children at preschool.
Retrieved at: http://www.ufn.gu.se/english/News/newsdetail//early-pedagogical-assessment-of-young-children-at-preschool-.cid1040399
I also believe in a holistic approach to assessing children that includes observation, documentation and family involvement. I feel that this give a more realistic view of the child rather than the limited view that standardized testing gives us.
ReplyDeleteMisty,
DeleteI too agree with the holistic approach of early childhood development. Early Childhood Development emphasizes a holistic approach focusing on the child’s physical, emotional, social as well as cognitive development. It also helps prepare children for school readiness and give them social guidance on how to adapt to “real world”. Its objective is to nurture the children as they grow knowledge of how to adapt to life and make decisions mentally and physically. With the many resources such assessing, observation, parent involvement, and observations children are able to receive the guidance and assistance that they need in preparing them for a successful future.
Misty,
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be nice if we could get others to understand the importance of the development of social skills in early childhod and get them to focus a little less on the academic. I feel this push down of academic curriculum on early childhood classrooms is creating a deficit in the social emotional development and sometimes even the physical development, of the children in the classrooms. Kudos to Sweden for advocating for the rights and needs of their children.
I agree that the "assessment" goes beyond the academmic performance and that the whole child should be consiered in learning about each child. I also think that when children think that they are being "tested" they present a different front. When it can be done in a more relaxed, non stressful environment, the results will be more of a true picture of the child. kermethia
ReplyDelete