ABSTRACT
Observations made then can discern what the children can really do, rather than what parents think they can do, for often without realising, parents can put the real effort into making communications or defining tasks rather than setting problems for the children to solve or giving them choices. A very useful way to reduce the size and complexity of items that need to be recorded is to divide the observations so that they cover the four aspects of development: motor, social, emotional and intellectual. It helps the choice of intervention to be appropriate. Clarifying terminology can be helpful to keep the term 'assessment' for looking at the children's responses and 'evaluation' for the plan. Charts allow the children to self-assess and record their own progress. These take time to prepare but the recordings provide an insight into how the children feel they are getting on. They can also act as aide-memoires and so save the children from constantly asking questions.
