Play Assessment

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 Inclusive Play Assessment

If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid. This powerful metaphor highlighted our week 13 session, perfectly shows the danger of "one-size-fits-all" education. Reflecting on our exploration of play assessment, I realized that assessment should not be a hurdle to clear, but a bridge to built. 

The revelation that the word assessment stems from the Latin assidere meaning "to sit with," completely shifted my perspective. It suggests a collaborative, supportive and affirming relationship rather than a top-down judgement. In play-based settings, like those practiced at Rinpung ECCD, this means observing children's skills, behaviors and interactions within their natural play to identify strengths and challenges. It is about gathering information to provide meaningful educational and therapeutic not just assigning a grade. 

I was particularly struck by the distinction between assessment of, as and for learning. While assessment of learning often feels like teacher-led autopsy of  what a child knows at the end of a unit. Assessment for learning is a living dialogue. It involves students in their own journey using observations and target setting to determine where they are heading. 

Our discussion on inclusive assessment and UDL challenged me to think critically about reasonable accommodation. Whether addressing a mixed-ability class or students without technology, we must differentiate based on their ability. 

Moving forward, I aim to be an educator who sits with my student. By collecting a wide variety of evidence from drawings to digital portfolios, I can ensure every fish in my classroom has the chance to swim in their own deep waters rather than failing at a climb they were never meant to take. 




Comments

  1. Chorten Zangmo20 May 2026 at 00:42

    Your reflection is insightful, engaging, and strongly connected to the lesson. You clearly show personal understanding and critical thinking, though a few grammatical errors slightly affect the flow. Overall, it is a meaningful and well-written reflection.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nim Pem20 May 2026 at 07:38

    One small suggestion would be to simplify a few long sentences so the reflection flows more smoothly and is easier to read. You could also add one personal example or classroom experience to make your reflection feel even more connected to your own learning journey. Overall, your reflection was meaningful, insightful, and inspiring.

    ReplyDelete

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