The observation cycle doesn’t need to be complicated. At its heart, it’s simply a way of noticing, understanding, and responding to children’s learning. These prompts are designed to support educators at every stage—keeping documentation meaningful, manageable, and connected to children’s identities.
Prompts for Each Stage of the Observation Cycle
Observation—What Did You See?
This stage is all about capturing what actually happened. Stick to the facts. Avoid interpreting or explaining just yet.
Prompts to guide your noticing
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Child actions: What did the child do? How did they move, explore, persist, or experiment?
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Materials used: What resources were chosen? How were they used, combined, or repurposed?
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Language or gestures: What words, sounds, facial expressions, or body language did you notice?
Why This Matters
Clear, descriptive observations give you a strong foundation. They help you avoid assumptions and keep the child’s voice at the centre.
Analysis—What Does It Mean?
Here you interpret the learning. This is where your professional knowledge shines.
Prompts to guide your thinking
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Emerging skills: What skills or understandings are beginning to appear?
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Learning dispositions: Did you notice curiosity, persistence, problem‑solving, empathy, or creativity?
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Identity cues: What does this tell you about who the child is becoming as a learner?
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Social interactions: How did the child engage with peers, educators, or the environment?
Why This Matters
Analysis connects the dots. It helps you understand the deeper learning taking place and ensures your follow‑up planning is intentional rather than reactive.
Follow-Up Planning—What’s Next?
This is your opportunity to extend, enrich, or revisit learning based on what you observed.
Prompts to guide your planning
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Materials to add or adjust: What could you introduce, remove, or modify to support the next step?
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Intentional teaching strategies: Will you model, scaffold, question, co‑play, or step back?
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Child or family voice: What ideas, interests, or cultural connections can you incorporate?
Why This Matters
Follow‑up planning ensures learning is responsive and meaningful. It shows families and assessors that your decisions are grounded in what children actually need.
Reflection—What Did You Notice?
Reflection closes the loop and strengthens your practice. It helps you refine your approach and celebrate growth.
Prompts to guide your reflection
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Shifts in confidence: Did the child show more independence, willingness, or pride?
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Unexpected discoveries: What surprised you? What challenged your assumptions?
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Threads to follow: What new questions or interests emerged that you might explore next?
Why this matters
Reflection keeps your practice dynamic. It helps you stay attuned to children’s evolving identities and ensures your documentation remains purposeful—not performative.
When educators use simple prompts like these, the observation cycle becomes less about paperwork and more about connection. It supports:
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clearer, more consistent documentation
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stronger links to children’s learning
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more intentional planning
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a calmer, more confident team
Further Reading
EYLF Keywords & Prompts for Daily Observations & Planning
EYLF Documentation Cheat Sheet for Educators
Free EYLF Version 2.0 Posters and Cheat Sheets
EYLF Principles & Practices Cheat Sheet
EYLF Outcome 1 Cheat Sheet
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