The EYFS framework is intended to set learning and educational standards at an early age so that the progress of children can be monitored. Adopted in 2008 throughout England and Wales, this system has been proven to work. Focusing upon children aged between 0 and 5, the EYFS has also been designed to help caregivers better appreciate any learning problems that may be encountered so that changes can be made at an early stage.
Of course, the most crucial aspect of the EYFS framework involves pupil tracking. Which students seem to excel at a specific subject? Are there other children who may require more personalised help? These are some of the questions which can be addressed by regularly assessing the progress of a young student. Let us now look at the tracking process in greater detail.
Pupil Tracking 101: What is Involved?
First and foremost, it is wise to review the seven stages which comprise the Early Years Foundation Stage. These are:
- Physical development
- Communication and language
- Social, emotional and interpersonal development
- Creative art and design
- Maths
- Literacy
- A basic comprehension of the world
Teachers and educators will therefore pay careful attention to each of these categories. This generally occurs through direct observation, taking notes and recording the progress of an individual child. However, it is prudent to point out that in-depth tracking can be somewhat difficult; particularly within hectic classroom settings or when dealing with multiple students.
The Advent of Tracking Software
There are several ways in which the progress of a pupil can be tracked. These normally come in the form of documents that need to be filled out at the appropriate times. Some key elements include a general progress tracker, timely progress checks, tools used to monitor language progression, and cohort trackers. Also, teachers will often perform formative assessments from time to time. These are used to determine if the child is in the correct age band in regards to his or her level of education.
However, many of the traditional methods outlined above are being improved through the use of dedicated software applications. For example, the pupil assessment tracker by Educater offers additional features such as:
- The ability to upload images and videos.
- Tracking progress in relation to Early Learning Goals (ELGs).
- Identifying and analyse certain learning or behavioural patterns.
- Instantaneously uploading data as soon as it becomes available.
Let’s also remember that all of this information can be shared with parents and caregivers with the click of a button. So, it is much easier to keep track of the progress of any pupil.
Monitoring how a child adapts to more formal learning settings is one of the main intentions of the EYFS framework. However, technology is also beginning to play an important role. Those who wish to remain one step ahead of the curve should therefore consider bespoke tracking software solutions.
Last Updated on July 26, 2023 by Lucy Clarke
