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It is now some years since the Learning Stories approach to assessing children's learning caught on and was widely and uncritically adopted by early childhood professionals in NZ.

Perhaps it is time now to open up discussion and reflect on the use of the Learning Story approach to child assessment and how well it is working for teachers and children.

As a spark for discussion here are the thoughts of one person who previously worked as an early childhood reviewer and is now back in the field working in early childhood education. 

Whether Learning Stories are working is something I have been thinking about for a number of years. There are so many issues here.

• The child with special needs, children with other important needs - all of this in our strength based recording of narrative assessment alone;
• I'm wondering about the hours that it takes teachers;
• I'm wondering about how much of a difference we are (are not) making with bringing parents on board; and
• How valid and reliable are the stories?

I have many questions and few answers.

Please contribute to this discussion below by adding your comments. 

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