Characteristics Observations

The new framework for the early years foundation stage describes the three characteristics of effective teaching and learning as:

• Playing and exploring: children investigate and experience things and ‘have a go’;
• Active learning: children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties and enjoy achievements;
• Creating and thinking critically: children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas and develop strategies for doing things.

This observation overview uses the statements from Development Matters 2020. It has been designed to record observations over the year, to give practitioners an overview of how each child learns. The statements from Development Matters 2020 are on each sheet, alongside a space for adults to record their observations of the child.

They are colourful and match the Characteristics posters that I have made.