Name: _Abiagyle Turner What Does Assessment Mean to Early Childhood Educators

By Angela Notari-Syverson and Angela Losardo

1. Identify the author’s definition of assessment; then rephrase it or add something to it that
would make it more meaningful to you.
a. The process of gathering information on multiple aspects of a child’s development and
growth and then using that information to help guide that child and the curriculum.

2. Identify some purposes for conducting assessment with young children.

NAEYC From Voices Video From Article Summary

 To understand  Decide where Assessment and
 Guide where children they need to go; pre-assessment is
Curriculum are and then placement or used to get a
 To report using that info to how and where baseline of where a
 Identify those help them they need to child is at in every
who need develop and grow developmental
special services grow developmentally area. It is also used
 Monitor and  Developmental  Appropriate to screen the child
tracking gage (pre-asses; curriculum and to see if they
learning and where are they in strategies for require special
development all areas of their individual services or have
development) teaching special needs. This
 To set learning  Test out different information is then
goals/outcomes teaching used to guide
for the child as methods and curriculum to make
well as teaching practices sure it is
objectives for the  Screening for accomplishing the
teachers possible special determined
 Figuring out needs and appropriate
developmentally services learning goals for
appropriate that child.
experiences for Teachers can then
that child use assessment to
 How effective is determine whether
your teaching? that teaching was
 Make sure you effective or not.
are meeting the Assessment can
needs of each also be used to
individual child track a child’s
 End result of growth as well.
teaching
 3. What is the difference between traditional and alternative assessments?

Traditional includes assessments such as standardized, paper and pencil. Screening, and diagnostic tests.
Alternative is more authentic and more geared toward the curriculum and performance of the child.
Alternative is achieved with observation as opposed to actual physical tests like traditional.

4. Describe and give an example of each of the following:

Norm referenced
- A child’s performance is compared to other children

Curriculum based assessment

- Tasks for each child to do (usually in play). Embedded in regular activities. Alternative
assessment.

Performance assessment
- Mastering measured skills. Demonstrating these skills. I.e Obstacle course

Portfolio assessment

- A collection of work products that the child has completed. Like artifacts. Pictures of actions
they are doing or paintings they have completed, etc.

Dynamic assessment

- Using and testing the zone of proximal development. What can they do by themselves and
what they can do with some help, guidance, or assistance. Testing their receptive
knowledge. Children sometimes know more than what they are able to actually say. They
can know the difference between colors and what they are but may not be able to speak it.
Screening

- Using the developmental checklist to determine where they are and see if there are any
evident delays or setbacks for the child. Asking the parent’s if they have any concerns. The
kindergarten reading one.
5. What are some challenges and considerations when assessing young children?

From Article From Voices Videos Other

- Sometimes people
make quick judgments
based on only one
kind of assessment in
one setting when a
child needs to be
assessed in multiple
ways and settings.
- Pressure
- Overemphasized
- Assessments may not
be given in an age
appropriate way
(children have a hard
time sitting still and
focusing for paper
and pencil tests)
- We have our own
biases and opinions
- There might be a
language barrier if
they are dual
language. They might
be capable and
confident in their
own language on the
task they are being
assessed for but it
might be hard for
them to demonstrate
that in an
environment that is
not their comfortable
language.

6. What are some guidelines when planning assessments for young children?
- Meaningful context; Real life or during routines; performance based
- Understand cultural backgrounds
 - Involve the family
Notari-Syverson, A. & Losardo, A. (2004, September/October). What assessment means to early childhood educators. Early
Childhood Exchange. Retrieved from https://www.childcareexchange.com/library/5015972.pdf.