Q1: Why aren’t standardized tools alone a sufficient source of evaluation and assessment information?

<Patricia Maris>

Observation is an essential component when completing a quality evaluation and assessment of a young child. As early childhood educators, we strive to have a complete picture of the child we are getting to know or who we are working with. When an observation is done objectively, it helps to gather essential information. A standardized tool yields helpful information in terms of how the child is functioning in relation to same aged peers. Sometimes, observation can be used to determine if a child has a particular developmental skill on a standardized tool. Using this alone, however, will not result in a rich understanding of the child and his or her interests, strengths and areas of need.