Case studies

These case studies illustrate assessment in Cambridge Early Years. In each one you can see how the principles of Discover, Decide, Do, Record and Report apply in different situations.

Illustration of continuous assessment cycle

Case Study 3 - Coloured circles (5 year old)

You have organised a game for the EY3 class outside to practise gross motor skills, in particular balancing on one foot (3PD.03). You have used chalk to draw circles of different colours on the concrete. The children have to run around until you call out a colour. They then run to a circle of the right colour and balance on one foot.



Stage

Assessment Example

'Discover'

You observe that one child, Jay, always runs to the circle with most people in it, regardless of whether there is a circle of the right colour nearer to him. Later in the day you notice that Jay has chosen purple paint for his picture. When you ask him to tell you about the picture. he points at the purple area and says, ‘That’s the sky’.

'Decide'

You decide that you need to find out more and investigate beyond intended learning statements. You want to find out whether Jay always likes being with the biggest group or whether there might be an issue with the way he perceives some colours.

'Do'

You plan a range of activities:

      • Simple class games where children have to run to different places based on words rather than recognising colours, such as naming different sides of the hall ‘summer, autumn, winter, spring'. You observe how Jay decides where to run to.
      • Activities in the craft area using different colours of paints and paper. You provide stimuli of different colours, such as bananas and oranges, and observe which materials Jay chooses to use.

'Record and Report'


If you think that Jay might have a difficulty in perceiving some colours, then you need to involve his parents and relevant health professionals.