ece 203

The meaning of assessment is “a systematic procedure for obtaining information for observation, interviews, portfolios, projects, tests, and other sources that can be used to make judgments about characteristics of children or programs” (Gronlund, 2007). I think assessment is important because it because it the decisions you make while teaching kids. The reason of teaching assessment for kids is to find out what a child may know, to find their special needs, and state their appropriate placement. As every child need is different it is important to use the assessment to properly plan the curriculum based on what their specific need. The assessment can be used as a base to write the curriculum. Children are also able to assess their own learning as well as outline their own goals. Children work hard to learn milestones such as walking, forming words, letter, and numbers. Child assessment brings value to a curriculum by researching a child’s behavior and activity to establish their growth and ability. Assessing a child many brings many benefits and value. Young children don’t understand what it mean to be tested.
The objectives of an assessment are collection, evaluation and the use of information to help teachers make greater decisions for the education of their students. Objectives of assessment with children in an Early Childhood Education program are that they guide the student to develop cognitive, language, social/emotional, and physical skills.
The values that assessments brings to the curriculum planning process is important because it allows teachers to easily identify what their student is capable of doing and what he/she already knows. When it comes to planning curriculum assessment plays a valuable role. Ongoing assessment allows educators to assess their student’s capabilities. Children learn differently therefore assessment allows the teacher to properly understand how their student learns and to better assist that student in curriculum planning. The curriculum should be based on the best knowledge of how children develop and learn with the individual children’s needs met. An organized curriculum allows teachers to have an itinerary to observe what the children do while working in areas of interest, group activities, and regular routines. Conducting these observations daily allow good decision making for the students.
As every child need is different it is important to use the assessment to properly plan the curriculum based on what their specific need. The assessment can be used as a base to write the curriculum. Children are also able to assess their own learning as well as outline their own goals. Children work hard to learn milestones such as walking, forming words, letter, and numbers. The learning environment should allow children to set and pursue their own goals within their boundaries and allow them to reflect on whether they have achieved their goals.

It requires knowledgeable educators that understand the way children learn and includes them and their families.

Timperley, H. (2008). Teacher professional learning and development.