Assessment within play pedagogy begins with paying attention.

When children are deeply engaged in play, they reveal an extraordinary amount about what they know, what they can do, what they are curious about and what they are beginning to understand. The challenge for teachers is learning to see it.

Observation and assessment allows us to look beyond the activity itself and become curious about the learning unfolding within it. We listen to children's conversations, notice the strategies they use, recognise patterns in their thinking and pay attention to the questions, challenges and ideas they return to over time.

But noticing is only the beginning.

Meaningful assessment requires us to notice what is happening, recognise the significance of what we see, and respond in ways that help learning continue to grow.

Assessment is not something we do after learning has happened. It is part of how we decide what should happen next.