Quality Rating 2: Developmental Progress

Instructions

To meet the requirements for Developmentally Appropriate Learning and Practice: Developmental Progress: DAP 9.2, you will upload a statement that describes:

  • How your program conducts observations
  • Who conducts the observations
  • When and how often observations are conducted
  • How information from observations is used to inform program activities

The Policy or Statement Builder is a step-by-step guide for creating your statement.

Observation

Without even noticing, you watch children and you learn about them. You listen to children and you learn about them. You talk with children and you learn about them. You use what you learn to provide a nurturing environment with materials, activities, and opportunities that encourage the children’s growth, development, and learning. Observation is one important way to monitor the children’s developmental progress so activities can be adjusted to offer new challenges and learning opportunities, and support their success.

Learn more about conducting objective observations and using observations to plan meaningful learning experiences in Enrichment Resources.

What does the documentation look like?

Your statement clearly describes:

  • How your program conducts observations
  • Who conducts the observations
  • When and how often observations are conducted
  • How information from observations is used to inform program activities

Policy or Statement Builder

Develop a statement that describes how your program uses observation to learn about, plan lessons for, and monitor the developmental progress of the children in your program. The Reflection Questions below will help you think about what you do in your program to capture it when creating your statement. Once you have spent time reflecting on the questions below, you’re ready to write your Developmental Progress Statement.

  1. How are observations conducted?
  2. Who conducts the observations?
  3. When are observations done?
  4. How often are observations conducted?

Optional Level 2:

  1. What tools do you use for ongoing assessment?
  2. How are the different tools used?

Once you have spent time reflecting on the questions, you have the option to download and save the Developmental Progress template to create your statement.

Technology Tips

Download the PDF.

Save the PDF.

Print the PDF.

Edit the PDF.

Do you need more time to think about writing your statement? Use Writers Tips and Prompts to find examples and get more guidance.

Where can you learn more?

  • Wondering with Children: The Importance of Observation in Early Childhood Education This paper asserts that through the process of observation, documentation, and interpretation of children’s goals, strategies, and theories, teachers gain insight into children’s thinking. As a result of this process, teachers are better able to engage children in conversations and investigations that have the potential to extend their learning.