NACC - M1 Ch9 - Terms

Purposeful teaching that uses observation, planning, and reflection to support children's learning.
Example: An educator extends a child's interest in insects by planning a nature investigation.

Carefully watching and listening to children to understand their learning and development.

Example: An educator records how a child solves a puzzle.

Collecting evidence of children's learning through notes, photos, videos, or children's work.

Example: Taking photographs of children building a block structure.

Documentation that is analyzed and interpreted to guide future learning and teaching.

Example: An educator studies photos and notes to plan a new investigation based on children's
interests.

Using observations to prepare meaningful learning experiences.

Example: Setting up a water table after observing children's interest in floating and sinking.

Ongoing assessment used to guide teaching and support children's learning.

Example: Observing children during play to decide the next learning activity.

Helping children reflect on and understand their own learning.

Example: A child looks at photos of their artwork and explains what they learned.

Summative assessment that evaluates what children know and can do.

Example: Reviewing a child's portfolio to summarize progress over time.

Thinking about teaching decisions to improve future practice.

Example: An educator reflects on why an activity was successful and how to improve it.

A narrative record describing a child's learning and development.
Example: Writing a story about how a child solved a problem during outdoor play.

A collection of documentation showing a child's learning over time.

Example: A folder containing drawings, photographs, learning stories, and observations.

A naturally occurring opportunity to extend children's learning.

Example: Using a child's question about birds to begin a science investigation.