CHCPR303D: Develop understanding of children’s interests and developmental needs

Descriptor: This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to gather information about children through observation and other sources as a basis for addressing their interests and developmental needs
Employability Skills: This unit contains Employability Skills
Application: This unit may apply to working with children in a range of community service contexts

Element	Performance Criteria
Elements define the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.	The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the Element. Terms in italics are elaborated in the Range Statement.
1. Gather information about the child through observation	1.1 Observe children during their normal pattern of play and daily interactions to identify their interests and needs 1.2 Monitor strengths and needs of children
2. Gather information about the child from secondary sources	2.1 Use child records to collect information about each child 2.2 Use information exchange with family to collect information about each child’s needs interests and cultural practices
3. Record observations appropriately	3.1 Ensure information collected through observation and secondary sources is discussed with relevant people and/or recorded according to requirements 3.2 Ensure discussion or recording of information is free from biased comments and negative labelling of children 3.3 Ensure observations are recorded carefully and accurately
4. Use observations and information collected to understand the child and contribute to program planning	4.1 Use information gathered about child to provide suggestions for ways to enhance that child’s play and physical activity to contribute to development of fundamental movement skills and leisure 4.2 Use information gathered about child to ensure interactions with the child meet their individual requirements

Required Skills And Knowledge

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential knowledge:

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively perform task skills; task management skills; contingency management skills and job/role environment skills as outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit

These include knowledge of:

Relevant child development stage knowledge to a basic level including the fundamentals of physical development and movement milestones
Organisation standards, policies and procedures

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Observe and interpret children’s behaviour and contribute to program planning

In addition, the candidate must be able to demonstrate relevant task skills; task management skills; contingency management skills and job/role environment skills
These include the ability to:

Observe children at an introductory level
Demonstrate application of skills in:
report writing
interpersonal interaction

Range Statement

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Observation to identify children’s interests and plan future experiences, vary according to children’s ages and must include:	For babies, infants and toddlers: All aspects of the child’s development Fine and gross motor skills Interests, strengths and needs Child’s knowledge, skills and understanding For 3 to 5 year olds: All aspects of child’s development Fundamental movement skills Child’s interests Child’s strengths and needs Social interactions Child’s knowledge, skills and understanding For 6 to 12 year olds: All aspects of child’s development and fundamental movement skills Child’s interests Child’s strengths and needs Their interests and leisure requirements Peer groupings, and social interactions Socially isolated children Interests, strengths and needs
Information may be gathered by:	Observations of the child Questioning Reports Conversations with child’s peers Anecdotal information e.g. Remembrances of other workers, parents
Record observations is to meet specifications which may include:	Organisation requirements Service accreditation requirements Confidentiality policies and procedures
Contributions to observation recording can be in the form of:	Writing Discussions Conversations
Play may be recorded by:	Writing Video Photography
Contribute to program planning may involve observations that:	Play environment is too challenging, leading to children becoming frustrated Play environment is not stimulating enough, leading to children becoming bored Play environment does not provide opportunity for child’s interests/needs Child’s reactions to play environment Child’s play interests

Evidence Guide

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.