Assessment in Context: Natural Assessment of Young Children’s Play

• In Event: Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: Diverse Issues in Human Development

Abstract

During the infant through pre-school years, use of traditional psycho-educational assessment instruments can be problematic because of children’s limited receptive or attention skills, vocabulary or ability to express what they know or feel, particularly with children with developmental delays. This paper presents a method for assessment using observations of children’s natural play with toys that meet prescribed standards. The method can produce a valid and reliable standardized measurement instrument. An illustration of the procedure will be provided with the Developmental Play Assessment developed from research on children’s play development. Further, implication for early school intervention will be discussed.

Authors

• Emanuel J. Mason, Northeastern Unversity

• Karin Lifter, Northeastern University