According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the purpose of child assessment is to evaluate young children’s strengths, progress, and needs. NAEYC further notes that assessments fulfill multiple purposes such as helping to make informed decisions about teaching and learning, identifying developmental red flags or other significant concerns that may require follow-up diagnosis and intervention, and improving educational programming or interventions. The assessment of young children is widespread in today’s early childhood context. For example, early childhood educators are often responsible for choosing, administering, interpreting, and using the results of child assessments. Many early childhood educators report feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with these responsibilities.

The purpose of this entry is to assist readers in becoming familiar with two important concepts associated ...