Review

100 Ideas for Early Years Practitioners: Observation, Assessment & Planning

Professional Books
by Marianne Sargent (Bloomsbury, £14.56)

100ideas-small-pic‘Assessment should not only be viewed as something that is done to children but also as a tool children can use to improve their own learning,’ says author Marianne Sargent, who has written this book on the basis that young children are very capable of, and benefit from, taking part in decision-making about what and how they learn.

The emphasis is on child-centred, formative (i.e. ongoing) assessment involving sustained, shared thinking, children-centred learning and working with parents. With the ever-increasing focus on assessment, this book is a useful reminder of how to ensure the children in your care are in an environment where they can be confident, feel supported and still have fun.