How might we use data to make children’s learning through play visible? Noticing and valuing the ideas, thinking, theories, questions and feelings of our youngest learners involves the process of observation. Understanding their strengths, interests, needs and challenges also comes from meaningful documentation. When we engage in deliberate and purposeful observation and documentation, we gain robust insights into children’s play, understanding who our students are as learners and as individuals.

At the same time, one of the most difficult aspects of observing and documenting children’s play is the what and how. So much data can be gathered about our students that we get lost in what to look for. The end result is that we either dilute our data or we have too much. Another challenge to the process is what is worth documenting and how do we present data to reflect who our students are and to accurately make visible their learning story.

Making the distinction between data and perceptions becomes essential to the process of observing and documenting. Data are neutral and have no value until they are interpreted. Perceptions are the values we give data, and it is critical we are aware of the influences on our perceptions.

When educators gain the skills and confidence in the observation and documentation process, the learning and perspectives of our students are made visible and valued. This presentation provides a schema for educators to develop these skills.

Authors:
Jennifer Wong-Powell, Independent Scholar, Mongolia

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Wong-Powell is the founder of JWP Consulting - Inspired by Children and is an education consultant. Jennifer is committed to collaborating with early childhood educators to improve the first experiences in school for all children.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-wong-powell-792206108

Additional website of interest
https://www.jwpconsulting.co/

See this presentation on the full schedule – On Demand Schedule

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