In your recording, you might have mentioned the following:

• Jade’s counting-on skills are definitely worth noting.
• You might record the children’s ability to sort and match although this is likely to have been recorded previously as the children have been matching and sorting the pebbles in previous activities. However, the culturally appropriate situation might make ‘more sense’ to the children and this would illuminate their skills more clearly.
• You might record the children’s cooperation skills.
• By talking with Jade about her assessment of her counting skills you will have a clearer understanding about what is significant to record and how to support her learning & development.

Not all observations will be written down. Useful information can still be exchanged verbally through informal discussions between practitioners and with parents. However, it is important to build up a record of observational information over time that can be shared more formally and used as a tool for reflecting on and planning for children's learning.

Based on this observation, what might you do or plan next? Record your next steps in the last box on your observation form.

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Effective Observation
This link takes you to a resource by Education Scotland on observations. It may assist improve your knowledge, understanding and practice relating to assessment using effective observation.

Consider the tips below when
observing children.

• Observations should be based on what the child can do (assets based).
• Use language that is respectful of others and do not use expressions or words that might be considered to exclude particular groups.
• If you are not sure about something that you have observed you may wish to seek further information and advice.
• Remember – each child is a unique individual and they develop at their own rate.
• Report what you see and hear - not views or opinions.
• Carry out and record your observations within relevant Codes of Practice, organisational policies and legal requirements.