Qualification: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
Unit: Unit 3.15: Use longitudinal studies to observe, assess and plan for children’s needs
Learning outcome: Be able to use observations to assess and plan for the developmental needs of children in line with current frameworks
Assessment criteria: Evaluate observations in relation to: expected developmental stages, current frameworks, theoretical perspectives
After conducting an observation, you will need to evaluate it and record your findings. This can then be used to plan the child’s next developmental steps. Evaluations can be broadly split into three themes, which are discussed below.
Developmental stages & current frameworks
Comparing a child’s progress to the EYFS and Early Years Development Matters can help you to assess if a child is at the expected level for their age and stage of development. You may also reference other studies and frameworks. However, they must be from reputable sources.
Theoretical perspectives
In previous units, we discussed various theoretical perspectives concerning child development. You will need to select the most appropriate theories for your longitudinal study.
For example, if you track a baby’s social and emotional well-being, you might refer to Bowlby’s Attachment Theory.