silly question re development matters

[Guest]

Hello

I have been teaching in EYFS for 9 years, and I am starting to doubt myself after listening to many "experts". How do you use Development Matters? I have recently been told that the number of statements in each band equates to entering, developing or secure eg if there are 10 statements in 30-50 and the child achieves 5 of them then that child is developing; if child achieves 9 then he is secure and so on. Is this right? I have never used it like this. Instead I use my judgement and a "best fit" approach. I would really welcome any advice from the real experts who work with this every day.

Thank you

Jane

 

[FSFRebecca]

Hello,

I don't agree with that .... I agree with you. The statements are examples of the kinds of behaviours or skills you might see in a child of that age. Ticking statements stops you using your professional judgement and looking at the child holistically in my opinion. A good professional with a clear understanding of their children knows whether children are secure in an area or if they are just dipping their toe in, or somewhere in between. Stick to your guns is what I would say!

[Stargrower]

I completely agree with Rebecca and with you! Dev Matters / Early Years Outcomes are not a tick list and were never intended to be used as such. It sounds like someone thought up the little formula you mention and it might work for some children but in my opinion "best fit" is the way to go!

[JJA]

Yep - I'll agree with the above! Use your professional judgement and find the 'best fit'. As said, it's not a ticklist!

[FSFRebecca]

You'd be surprised at how many requests we get about making Tapestry assessments into tick lists!

[zigzag]

Do you remember the awful 'I can' Statements, all parents saw when they looked at them was 'my child can't'. Was so glad when they abolished them. I agree with all of the above.

[catma]

Developent matters is just a bit of guidance. you don't have to use it at all.

My advice is to read all the statements in a band, then decide for yourself how much that describes any child you are considering. The whole emerging, developing etc is also just a made up system. You can do what you want!

It's the use you make of the information you have that matters. At the end of the day only the educational programmes and ELGs that go with them are statutory (In the statutory framework).

Cx

[sunnyday]

I also agree with all of the above :1b

[blondie]

Me too!!

[Helen]

Nancy Stewart, the author of Development Matters wrote a brilliant article for us, urging people not to use the document statements as a ticklist. :1b

[Guest]

Thank you for your replies. I will stick to my guns. I have printed out Nancy Stewart's article and I think it will find it's way to the Head! Why are there so many battles in EYFS?!

Jane

[catma]

Oh there's just as many in KS1 and Ks2. Just different ones.