Linking observations to Development Matters

[sarah707]

I have received a lot of questions recently related to how to link observations to the new Development Matters guidance.

The new Development Matters document is much thinner than the previous one and there are a lot less statements.

This means it is more important than ever before that we have an understanding of what type of skills and knowledge links to which Development Matters outcome.

A recent example - a child is pedalling his bike but there's nothing in physical development (moving) so where should it be linked? Well, it's a physical gross motor skill so it should link to PD regardless of the fact that you cannot find a statement which says 'child pedalling bike'!!

Yes it's probably a PSED self confidence skill as well if the child has just learned to do it ... and it might well link to the characteristics if the child has struggled and has kept trying until he has mastered a new skill... BUT it is predominantly a physical skill regardless of the lack of statements in Development Matters!

I think that a dollop of common sense needs to be applied - and you might find this document in free resources helpful to print and keep in your Learning Journey files (for you and parents) -

http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/freeresources/Free%20downloads/Resources/Observation%20prompts.pdf

Hth :D

[SJ35]

Thanks Sarah thats brilliant!!

Stacey x

[nipper]

Sarah as always a lifesaver. Thank you so much:clapping:

[silvermist]

Thank you very much, thats really useful Sarah xx:thumbsup:

[nell57]

That's fantastic, thank you :thank you:

[loocyloo]

thanks sarah, thats great and very useful!

:clapping::clapping::clapping:

[Mrs Scrubbit]

Thanks Sarah x

[francinejayne]

fabulous document, and perfect timing(have been struggling to link an obs!)

thank you :clapping:

[Ripeberry]

Thanks. Common sense is always the best :-)

[justgoodfriends]

Very useful, thanks Sarah. One thing.. why do think 'playing peepo games' is in the Maths section of DM's? I would have thought it more of a PSED skill as the child is encouraging others to play along, or possibly UW if the child is realising that they are hidden?

[Muffin]

Thanks Sarah, that's really helpful :)

[cathtee]

Thanks Sarah, very useful :thumbsup:

[hello kitty]

As usual Sarah, that's great.

Thank you.

[sarah707]

Very useful, thanks Sarah. One thing.. why do think 'playing peepo games' is in the Maths section of DM's? I would have thought it more of a PSED skill as the child is encouraging others to play along, or possibly UW if the child is realising that they are hidden?

I have always understood it to relate to one-to-one representation and the way children learn that things are still there even when they have disappeared.

They need this skill of course when adding up, taking away, doing sums in their head, problem solving etc :D

[TNT]

Thank you for this, it is just what I needed to give to parents. I send LJ home over the holidays and ask parents to write a bit in them about new developments so this will really, really help them.

[Rosy Days]

Thanks Sarah, that is brill! xx

[wendywu]

Thank you Sarah, you always make sense xxxx

[dette]

theyre on their way to my printer as i type x thanks

[Monkey1]

Thank you Sarah! X

[joannetalbot]

i love it thankyou, it all makes perfect sense :clapping:

jo x

[Bess]

Thank you Sarah. Found this very helpful