Observation of children helps to assess listening, understanding and literacy development. For example, a child who demonstrates the ability to pay attention to stories, understands conversations, follows multiple-step directions and continually increases his vocabulary are indicators that he is developing language skills. The literacy assessment measures his ability to associate sounds with written words, identify at least ten letters of the alphabet (particularly the letters to his own name) and understand that each letter of the alphabet has a name and sound.
Examples of age appropriate math skills are counting to ten, awareness that counting determines quantity, naming common shapes and matching according to color, shape or size. The awareness of time and temperature, the ability to compare objects, curiosity of her surroundings and a growing ability to talk about what she sees are all indicators of her scientific abilities.
A child’s continual progress in his ability to draw, paint, move in time to music and rhythm and playing pretend demonstrate growth in the creative arts. Self concept, self control, cooperation, friendship, family and community are assessed to determine the level of social and emotional development. A child who demonstrates a growing capacity for independence, understands how his actions affect others, learns to play well with others and develops friendships are indicators of age appropriate social development. The level of initiative, curiosity, persistence, reasoning and problem solving indicate a child’s approach to learning. Observing a child perform activities such as using scissors, string beads, put a puzzle together, climb, catch, balance and throw help in assessing his motor skills.