ABSTRACT
In Chapter 13 we mentioned the relevance of a positive learning environment that enables children to feel free to express their ideas and reasons for action without fear that what they say or do will be ‘wrong’ or will be dismissed as unworthy of attention. It is important to keep this in mind in this context since, if teachers are to gain access to children’s ideas and skills as required for formative assessment, such a safe environment for expressing them is essential.
