Summative Assessment Cheat Sheet For Educators

Here's a practical educator cheat sheet tailored for writing summative assessments in early childhood settings—designed to be clear, efficient, and aligned with EYLF outcomes. The following article provides information on Structuring Your Summary, Linking to EYLF Outcomes, Prompts to Get You Started, Expanded Prompt Starters by Theme, EYLF Outcome-Based Prompt Starters, Prompt Starters For Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers, Tips For Writing and more.

Structuring Your Summary

Use this simple flow:

Introduction: Child’s name, age, and context (e.g., room, attendance pattern)
Learning Overview: Highlight key learning across EYLF Outcomes
Strengths & Interests: What the child enjoys and excels at
Emerging Skills: Areas of growth or developing competencies
Next Steps: Intentional planning suggestions

Linking to EYLF Outcomes

Use clear, observable examples. For example: Outcome—Example Statement

1. Identity—Ava confidently initiates play and expresses her preferences during group activities.

2. Community—Liam collaborates with peers during construction play, negotiating roles and sharing materials.

3. Wellbeing—Zara demonstrates body awareness and coordination during obstacle courses.

4. Learning—Noah explores cause and effect through water play, showing persistence in problem-solving.

5. Communication—Maya uses descriptive language to narrate her drawings and listens attentively during story time.

Prompts to Get You Started

“This semester, [child’s name] has shown a growing interest in…”
“[He/She/They] confidently…”
“[Child’s name] is beginning to…”
“A strength observed is…”
“To support continued development, we will…”

Expanded Prompt Starters by Theme

Cognitive & Learning Behaviours

“Demonstrates curiosity and actively engages in…”
“[Child’s name] has begun applying critical thinking skills when…”
“Shows persistence when faced with challenges such as…”
“Enjoys exploring concepts like cause and effect through…”

Communication & Language

“Expresses thoughts and ideas clearly by…”
“Uses a rich vocabulary during…”
“Listens actively and responds appropriately during…”
“Has started using language to negotiate and collaborate when…”

Social Competence & Relationships

“Builds positive relationships by…”
“Demonstrates empathy by…”
“Engages in cooperative play through activities such as…”
“[Child’s name] confidently joins group experiences and…”

Identity & Wellbeing

“Displays confidence in their choices by…”
“Shows awareness of their emotions by…”
“Takes initiative when…”
“Is developing a sense of belonging as seen in…”

Creative & Expressive Arts

“Explores creativity through mediums such as…”
“Engages in imaginative play by…”
“Expresses unique ideas in group projects including…”
“Demonstrates fine motor control through art experiences like…”

Physical Development

“Demonstrates body coordination when…”
“Engages in gross motor activities such as…”
“Shows increasing control in fine motor tasks like…”
“Displays awareness of spatial boundaries when…”

Cultural Identity & Community

“Engages meaningfully with cultural displays by…”
“Recognises similarities and differences in…”
“Contributes to shared routines and traditions such as…”
“Shows respect for others' beliefs through…”

EYLF Outcome-Based Prompt Starters

Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity

“[Child’s name] demonstrates a growing sense of self by…”
“Shows confidence when separating from familiar adults by…”
“Expresses preferences and makes choices during…”
“Seeks comfort and reassurance through…”

Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world

“Engages in shared routines such as…”
“Demonstrates care for the environment by…”
“Participates in cultural celebrations by…”
“Shows awareness of fairness and inclusion when…”

Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of well-being

“Demonstrates resilience when faced with…”
“Uses strategies to regulate emotions such as…”
“Engages in physical challenges like…”
“Shows awareness of healthy habits through…”

Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners

“Explores new materials with curiosity, especially when…”
“Persists with tasks such as…”
“Uses trial and error to solve problems like…”
“Engages in imaginative play that reflects…”

Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators

“Uses verbal and non-verbal cues to express…”
“Engages in storytelling by…”
“Explores symbols and patterns through…”
“Listens and responds to others during…”

Developmental Milestones Prompt Starters

Cognitive Development

“[Child’s name] explores new concepts by…”
“Demonstrates problem-solving skills when faced with…”
“Shows curiosity and asks questions about…”
“Engages in pretend play that reflects understanding of…”

Language & Communication

“Uses a growing vocabulary to describe…”
“Follows multi-step directions such as…”
“Initiates conversations with peers and adults by…”
“Uses gestures and words to express needs and ideas…”

Physical Development

Gross Motor:

“Climbs, jumps, and balances confidently during…”
“Demonstrates coordination when navigating…”
“Engages in active play that involves…”

Fine Motor:

“Uses pincer grasp to manipulate…”
“Shows control when using tools like…”
“Engages in threading, drawing, or cutting activities with…”

Social & Emotional Development

“Recognises and names emotions such as…”
“Seeks comfort from familiar adults when…”
“Takes turns and shares during…”
“Demonstrates empathy by responding to…”

Sensory & Play-Based Learning

“Responds to sensory experiences such as…”
“Explores textures, sounds, and movement through…”
“Engages in messy play with confidence and curiosity…”
“Uses sensory tools to regulate emotions during…”

Prompt Starters For Babies (0–12 months)

Focus: Sensory exploration, attachment, early communication, and motor development

“Responds to familiar voices by…”
“Explores objects using hands and mouth, especially when…”
“Shows excitement through body movements when…”
“Turns head toward sounds such as…”
“Begins to anticipate routines like…”
“Demonstrates early social smiles when…”
“Uses eye contact and cooing to engage with…”
“Rolls from tummy to back during…”
“Reaches for and grasps objects like…”

Prompt Starters For Toddlers (1–3 years)

Focus: Independence, mobility, early language, and emotional expression

“Uses simple words or gestures to request…”
“Walks confidently and begins to run during…”
“Engages in parallel play by…”
“Shows interest in helping with routines such as…”
“Demonstrates early problem-solving by…”
“Begins to name familiar people and objects like…”
“Expresses emotions through actions such as…”
“Enjoys repetition and predictability in…”
“Explores cause and effect through…”

Prompt Starters For Preschoolers (3–5 years)

Focus: Imaginative play, social collaboration, early literacy/numeracy, and self-regulation

“Creates detailed play scenarios involving…”
“Uses language to negotiate roles during…”
“Recognises patterns and sequences when…”
“Demonstrates empathy by comforting peers during…”
“Identifies and names emotions such as…”
“Counts objects with one-to-one correspondence during…”
“Draws recognisable shapes and figures like…”
“Follows multi-step instructions such as…”
“Shows increasing independence in self-care routines like…”

Tips for Writing

Use positive, strengths-based language
Avoid jargon—write for families as well as educators
Include specific examples from observations or learning stories
Keep it concise but meaningful (1–2 paragraphs per outcome is plenty)
Use Canva-ready templates for visual appeal and consistency.