Successful assessments and judgements about young children are founded on observations of their learning and behaviour. But observation is a complex skill, which is honed with experience. It is too easy to look and not see, or listen and not hear, and so miss critical moments of children's development and learning. These moments are most evident when children are engaged in play and selecting their own activities.
Observation involves watching with perception and ways of looking informed by knowledge of child development. When practitioners plan time to observe regularly in this way, their eyes are opened to the unique characteristics and talents of each baby and young child.
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