I had the great pleasure of returning to Birmingham recently. This was to so do some training with a group of enthusiastic and knowledgeable practitioners on Observations for Assessments.

One of the techniques that I had chosen to focus on was Learning Stories. Margaret Carr was promoting Learning Stories as a method for assessment over 10 years ago, so it’s not a new idea. However, it is an opportune time to return  to them as the discussion about how to assess children looks to return (BBC Website).

I really like Learning Stories because they are positive reinforcements of your child’s achievements and because they are very personal records.

What are Learning Stories?

Learning Stories are described by Margaret Carr as structured narratives that are ‘written vignettes of individual children’ (Carr, 2001: 90). A learning story is an account of a significant experience in a child’s life. This may be as simple as watching paint dribble down the page or climbing the steps for the first time.

My particular enjoyment with them is that they emulate a conversation between practitioner and child. They are very personal, from the heart accounts, that really engage both parties.

They are not designed to make judgments or tick developmental boxes – but are a celebration of your child’s abilities and interests.

How do I write one?

Remember that first and foremost it is a story, a tale to be told, and should be written in that style. The narrative begins with something initiated by your child, whether that is an activity or achievement or idea.

The structure usually has four stages:

1. Initiation of the activity
2. Becoming involved. This is where your child is engaged and using their learning dispositions.
3. Causing something to happen. This is the intentionality of the activity and is at the heart of the observation. What was it that you observed? What does this tell you about your child? How does this demonstrate learning, knowledge or understanding?
4. Implications. What does this mean for your child? Is it something new or novel? How can you extent or embed the learning? How can you support or encourage further learning?

The learning story may end with further developments. These are the opportunities and possibilities that may come from the observation. These may also include conversations and comments from parents and carers, once they have read the Learning Story.

The language should be supportive and written as a positive (not deficit) account. It is most effective when written in the first person, just as you would talk to your child.

A range of accompanying photographs help to illustrate the observation.

Using Learning Stories  for Assessment

The Learning Story is not only a set of observations, but is a positive way to assess children’s learning. Many areas of learning and development will be recorded by observing a full activity or experience. Tick sheets and coloured boxes will give you a snap shot – a frozen moment in time – whereas a Learning Story is a full colour video of your child’s achievements. They give a rounded, holistic view of development, which is, after all, the way that children develop.

In addition to all that, it is a lovely record for you, parents and carers to keep.

Further Reading and examples

You can see some examples of Learning Stories on Tom Drummond’s site: Tom Drummond

There are Learning Story templates on the Aussie Childcare Network and for the iPad: Educa Blog

References

Carr, M. (2001) Assessment in Early Childhood Settings: Learning Stories London: Sage

Carr, M. and Lee, W. (2013) Learning Stories: Constructing Learner Identities in Early Education London: Sage

Drummond, T. (2010) Learning Stories: Conventions for writing. Available from: http://earlylearningstories.info/ Accessed 28th June 2012