Nursery World - Step by step - monitoring progress

Tracking the progress of a toddler requires methods which go beyond a simple reliance on words, says Jennie Lindon

If you are responsible for very young children, you need to keep track of how they are progressing just as you would with older children. However, your methods of following progress may be different and it is important to focus on what and how under-threes are learning.

Watch how they learn
You need to cover the full range of development of under-threes and use informal observation, as well as written records, to show young children's learning throughout the day, including the care routines.

Focus on the physical
Physical skills, growing control and co-ordination from the earlier months are of immense value to young children. It is interesting that some practitioners who work with older children are becoming aware of how much learning is mediated through physical skills and development.

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