Rethinking How We Assess Children’s Skills

In this thought-provoking episode of The Lauren Edmonds Podcast, Lauren delves into the complexities of assessing children’s skills in school. Drawing from her experience as the owner of a special needs school in Johannesburg, she highlights the disconnect between traditional evaluation methods and the broader, real-world abilities children often demonstrate.

Lauren discusses whether current assessments truly capture a child’s abilities or if they are constrained by rigid academic contexts. She reflects on how skills like problem-solving and communication may manifest differently in settings such as the playground versus the classroom. She also explores how schools and educators can create environments that help children generalize their skills across various contexts.

Using real-world examples, Lauren challenges listeners to rethink assessment as a holistic process. She emphasizes the importance of observing children in different settings and tailoring evaluations to reflect their unique strengths. This episode offers valuable insights for educators and parents, providing practical ideas to ensure every child’s potential is recognized and nurtured.