Many quality centres maintain a learning journal or portfolio for each child as a record of their individual development, learning, interests and skills, and participation in the learning program.
Journals are valuable records of a child’s early learning and development as they;
The journal may include;
- Observations (recorded by educators) of what the child said and did,
- Notes from educators about what the child has been learning,
- Group or individual learning stories,
- Photographs,
- Video and audio recordings, and
- ‘Artefacts’ such as paintings or drawings.
A good journal will clearly demonstrate;
- The child’s learning through play and investigations,
- The children’s development and thinking,
- The evolution of learning projects and experiences that the child is involved in,
- Educator reflections, and
- Plans to extend the children’s thinking and learning.
Check out the ABC of Child Care series here.
Christie Burnett is an early childhood teacher, presenter, writer and the editor of Childhood 101. More importantly, she is a Mum who believes wholeheartedly in the value of children learning through play, the importance of quality early education, and the togetherness of family.
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