Observation and Documentation

By recording each child’s development in writing, educators become more aware of their progress and can adjust their teaching accordingly. Documentation also helps make each child’s developmental journey transparent. Observing and documenting a child's various stages of development supports educators in reflecting on and improving their work, forming the foundation for targeted, professional care.

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Documenting with the Language Learning Journal

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In our kita, children’s development is documented through writing, photos, audio recordings, and videos. Each child has their own portfolio/language learning journal. The journal is marked with a photo and is always accessible to the child. They are free to look at their pictures or have them read aloud—on their own or together with educators or parents. The language learning journal belongs to the child and can be taken home for short periods. To track language development, we note verbal expressions (first words, first sentences, funny quotes), conduct interviews with children starting at age 3, and use the learning documentation from the journal to reflect on their language progress before starting school.
 

Regular Reviews and Development Meetings
 

The observations—such as photos, videos, interviews, and pre-school learning documentation—are reviewed with parents during development meetings. At least once a year (or more if needed), we hold a development meeting to discuss the child’s interests, abilities, and shared goals. Daily short summaries about the children’s day are posted on the info board in the hallway and shared with parents via the Famly app. In the cloakroom, a digital photo frame displays recent pictures from daily activities, giving parents a deeper look into their child’s world. Additionally, parents regularly receive detailed summaries of events through the Famly app.