Pre-K · Developmental Observation
Your assignment
Choose a familiar play activity. Draw it or make marks about it, then tell an adult what your picture or marks mean.
Plan, write and revise
- Offer paper and age-appropriate drawing materials during familiar play.
- Invite the child to make a picture, marks or letters that communicate an idea.
- Ask the child what the marks mean. Record the child’s words without replacing them with adult wording.
- Share the message with a familiar person and invite the child to add something if desired.
What strong work shows
- Uses a drawing, marks or letters to communicate an idea
- Explains or indicates the intended meaning
Your work
Write here or work on paper. For drawings, keep the paper with your written record. Download your work before closing this page; it is not automatically saved or submitted.
Teacher scoring guide
Evaluate the work against each criterion. Use 0 for no evidence yet, 1 for partial or unclear evidence, 2 for clear evidence that meets the criterion, and 3 for effective, well-developed evidence. Record what in the work supports the rating. These ratings guide feedback; they are not standardized achievement levels or a course grade.
Use a relaxed, familiar setting. Invite participation without requiring conventional spelling, letter formation or a written sentence. Record observations and adult support; do not use a numeric rating as a developmental diagnosis.
| Criterion | Evidence rating |
|---|---|
| Uses a drawing, marks or letters to communicate an idea | |
| Explains or indicates the intended meaning |
Reference and limits
A developmental writing observation related to Head Start ELOF P-LIT 6. It is not a diagnostic instrument, kindergarten readiness cutoff or assessment of the entire early-learning framework.