Nursery World - Watch out (1)

Child development is not a fixed idea that can be measured the same way in all circumstances, and practitioners need to consult other observers, writes Penny Tassoni Health professionals have always monitored the development of babies and young children, and early years practitioners are now following suit in carrying out their own kind of observations. Birth to Three Matters, the framework for the under-threes, advocates careful observation, as does the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage. But how does monitoring children's development affect our practice with children?

Health professionals have always monitored the development of babies and young children, and early years practitioners are now following suit in carrying out their own kind of observations. Birth to Three Matters, the framework for the under-threes, advocates careful observation, as does the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage. But how does monitoring children's development affect our practice with children?

Most early years professionals recognise the need to monitor development as a key way in which we can best care for and stimulate children. The more we know about a child, especially if we think about their interests and the way in which they are playing, the more it can help us to plan effectively.

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