Explain the reasons for identifying children’s needs, interests and stage of development prior to planning

Qualification: Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
Unit: Unit 3.8: Understand how to plan to meet the needs of the developing child
Learning outcome: 2 Understand how to plan to meet the needs of children
Assessment criteria: 2.2 Explain the reasons for identifying children’s needs, interests and stage of development prior to planning

• It is essential to identify a child’s needs, interests and stage of development prior to planning for several reasons, including:
  • To ensure that an activity will be age-appropriate (e.g. peek-a-boo would probably not be an appropriate activity for a 5-year old)
  • To ensure that children are interested and engaged (children are more likely to participate in an activity that they are interested in)
  • To ensure that all children are able to participate (e.g. a child with a condition that affects their mobility may not be able to play hopscotch and so the activity may need to be adapted)
  • To support the child to reach the next stage in an area of their development