Assessing the Child-Centeredness of Your Teaching in 6 Steps

A child-centered approach in early childhood education encourages teachers to create learning experiences that are responsive, engaging, and tailored to the unique development of each student. By placing the child at the heart of the learning process, we foster an environment where children are active participants in their own education, encouraged to explore, ask questions, and collaborate with peers.

This approach is crucial because it supports not only academic growth but also emotional, social, and cognitive development, setting a strong foundation for lifelong learning. But how can we assess our teaching strategies to ensure that they are truly aligned with a child-centered approach? Below are six key steps to guide teachers in assessing and improving our practice within a child-centered framework.

1. Reflection on Learner Engagement

One of the first indicators of a successful child-centered classroom is learner engagement. Engaged children lead their learning process and become active participants in their own learning. They show curiosity, enthusiasm, and a desire to explore.

For early years and primary school teachers, it’s important to observe how children interact with the content, activities, and each other; what questions come up; which aspects they are willing to learn more about; and what the teacher finds they need to develop more—content, strategies, or skills.

The following are key reflection questions:

• Are the children participating in the activities? Are they asking questions or making suggestions about what they are doing?
• Do the children show excitement and enthusiasm when exploring new materials or participating in activities?
• Are they engaged in conversations, problem-solving, and cooperative activities with their peers?

Early years teachers need to observe and document how children respond to different contexts, activities, and teaching methods. By tuning in to the children’s level of engagement, we can adjust our approaches to maximize participation and enthusiasm. If children seem disengaged during group activities, we might introduce more hands-on, sensory experiences that connect directly to the children’s natural curiosity.

For instance, in a session where children are learning about different types of leaves, including their shapes and textures, allow the learners to bring leaves to class. Gather the leaves into a single pile, and invite the children to work in teams to group the leaves according to their own criteria. A question to ask might be, “How would you arrange these leaves into smaller groups?” Then observe what the children do, interacting with each team to understand their reasoning. Afterward, share information about the different characteristics of the leaves, and eventually encourage the learners to reorganize the groups based on one or two of these characteristics.

2. Evaluation of Learning Environments

The learning environment is a critical element in a child-centered classroom. A well-designed setting will support children’s developmental needs, encourage exploration, and promote creativity. The space should be organized and welcoming, allowing children to feel safe, feel valued, develop ownership, and be motivated to engage in learning.

The following are key evaluation questions:

• Is the classroom set up in a way that encourages exploration and independent learning?
• Are materials accessible and well-organized?
• Is the environment physically safe and emotionally supportive, where children feel free to express themselves and take risks?
• Are there areas designated for both group learning and individual exploration? Are the resources diverse and reflective of the children’s backgrounds and interests?

The design of a child-centered environment should stimulate imagination and foster learning through play, a key feature of early years education. We need to regularly assess whether the space is inclusive and provides opportunities for sensory, cognitive, and social development.

3. Assessment of Curriculum Relevance

In a child-centered approach, the curriculum needs to align with the interests, needs, and developmental stages of the children. Curriculum topics that are personally relevant to the learners will engage them more deeply and encourage a love for learning. We need to continuously evaluate the content to ensure that it resonates with the children’s lives, experiences, and curiosities.

The following are key curriculum reflection questions:

• Are the activities and topics connected to the children’s lives and experiences?
• How are the children involved in planning or choosing topics? Do they have opportunities to lead the learning process by suggesting areas of interest?
• Is the curriculum flexible enough to allow for spontaneity and exploration, where children can follow their own learning paths?

By incorporating children’s interests into the curriculum, we can create meaningful and engaging learning experiences.

4. Asking for Learner Feedback

Asking children for feedback is a valuable practice in a child-centered classroom. Even young learners can share insights about their learning experiences, their preferences, and what they enjoy or find challenging. This feedback helps us make informed decisions about our teaching strategies and adjust the learning experience to better meet children’s needs.

The following are ways to collect feedback:

• Use circle time or group discussions where children can share their thoughts on the activities or topics.
• Engage in casual one-on-one conversations with children to gather their perspectives.
• Maintain open communication with the families.
• Use nonverbal forms of feedback such as drawings and body language to assess the children’s feelings about the lesson.

Consider creating opportunities for children to express their thoughts and feelings about the learning process. This could potentially empower them by giving them a voice, while they also offer insights that might help us adjust our approach to better support the children’s engagement and understanding.

5. Observation of Differentiation Practices

A child-centered approach makes it essential that we differentiate our instruction to meet the needs of every child.

Consider asking yourself these key questions to guide differentiation:

• Am I providing varied activities and materials that cater to different learning developmental stages?
• How am I adjusting the level of challenge based on individual children’s progress?
• Am I using flexible groupings, allowing children to work with peers who can support or challenge them?

Differentiating instruction allows every child to learn at their own pace and ensures that each child receives the right level of support and challenge. We can also incorporate different methods of assessment to track progress and adjust instruction, whether through observation, work samples, or discussions with children.

6. Collaboration with Colleagues

Collaboration with colleagues is an essential part of refining and enhancing a child-centered approach. Every teacher can benefit from collaborative planning sessions and participation in a professional learning community, especially when developing an approach that is new or less familiar.

The following are key questions about collaboration:

• Am I engaging in regular discussions with colleagues about child-centered practices?
• Have I participated in peer observations to learn from other teachers’ strategies?
• Am I open to feedback from colleagues on how to enhance the learning experiences for children?

Working collaboratively not only supports personal growth but also helps ensure that teaching practices remain aligned with the principles of a child-centered approach across the school or early years setting.

The child-centered approach fosters an environment where children are valued as active participants in their own learning. Prioritizing their unique needs, interests, and abilities reflects a deep respect for the child as an individual. It encourages teachers to listen to students, acknowledge their perspectives, and tailor learning experiences that support their growth, ultimately nurturing their confidence, independence, and love for learning.