PLAC907 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 1 (3-5 YEARS)

DOCUMENTATION, ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING RECORD

Context: Date: 08 March 2024
Time: 11.30 am
Name and Age: Elora and 4 years & 4 months
Educator: Miss Madhuri
Context: Indoor play – Montessori Cycle
Outdoor play – Collect Natural resources
DOCUMENTATION
Learning Story
Elora choose to engage in the scientific exploration of float and sink. She picked the rock dropped it into the
water. As she dropped the rock into the water, Elora observed whether the item floated or sank, “She said it
sank”. Elora used a spoon to transfer the sinking items onto the sink paper while floating items onto the float

paper.
ASSESSMENT
Each portion of the documentation above is to be reflected on and identified domains, milestones and dispositions must be linked to where the skill was
demonstrated in the observation and referenced.
Domains Milestones Dispositions
Physical Development Elora used (fine motor skills) Independence
Elora used her three fingers to drop each as she was able to hold the Elora show independence
items from the tray to observe whether it spoon between her finger. This by choosing to work alone
floats or sinks (fine motor skills) (Garvis, shows age appropriate on the float and sink activity
Phillipson, Clarke, Harrison, McCormack & development between 3 to 5 (Irving & Carter 2018).
Pendergast, 2019). years (Garvis, Phillipson,
Clarke, Harrison, McCormack Confidence
Language Development & Pendergast, 2019). Elora was able to
Elora expressed the names of the objects confidently scope the items
which can float and sink (Garvis, Phillipson, Elora used words to using a spoon onto a float
Clarke, Harrison, McCormack & communicate by using three to and sink paper (Irving &
Pendergast, 2019). five words while speaking a Carter 2018).
simple sentence. This shows
Cognitive Development age appropriate development Concentration
Elora remembers the names of the objects between 3 to 5 years (Garvis, Elora showed concentration
which can float and sink as this was Phillipson, Clarke, Harrison, in her work as she dropped
presented to the children during the class McCormack & Pendergast, the objects one by one into
(Garvis, Phillipson, Clarke, Harrison, 2019). the water to observe
McCormack & Pendergast, 2019) whether it can sink or float
Elora has sound memory as (Irving & Carter 2018).
she is able to recall the names
of the objects which can float
and sink. This shows age
appropriate development

PLAC907 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 1 (3-5 YEARS): DOCUMENTATION, ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING RECORD
 PLAC907 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 1 (3-5 YEARS)
between 3 to 5 years (Garvis,
Phillipson, Clarke, Harrison,
McCormack & Pendergast,
2019).

LEARNING and CURRICULUM

Each portion of the documentation is to be analysed for learning that is occurring and the curriculum areas the children are engaging in
Learning
Elora was able to learn the concept of float and sink by
dropping the objects one by one into the water. This
was further observed that she showed changes to her
facial expressions as the objects sinks whilst some
objects sink to the bottom.
Curriculum Areas
Language – learning about the name of the
different objects which can float and sink.
Science – learning the concept of float and sink.
STEM – The use of a variety of concepts which
allowed Elora to experiment the float and sink
concept due the weight of the object while using a
spoon to scope the objects which sink to the
bottom of the container by placing them on the sink
paper and float paper.

THEORY and FRAMEWORKS

Development and Education Theory Early Years Learning Framework Principles, Practices,
Outcomes
Maria Montessori – she stressed that children learn Principle 1 – Secure, respectful and reciprocal
by using their senses and that they learn best by relationships
pursuing their interests. Children need to be given
objects to manipulate so they can exercise their Elora demonstrated a relationship between herself
sensory learning (McArdle, Gibson & Zollo, 2015). and the objects she used during the activity as to
why they would sink or float.
Elora showed her interest sea animals when she
visited an aquarium on her birthday. This activity gave Principle 2 – Partnerships
her a chance to experiment as to why does some Ellora’s mum shared the pictures of Elora visiting
objects float and sink as it is connected to ocean. an aquarium and this led to the setup of the sink
and float activity in the classroom.
Jean Piaget – Piaget, the first to study children in
scientific way, focuses on how children learned. He Practice 3 – Play based learning and
said that children go through four stages of thinking intentionality
that shapes how they see and learn about the world. Elora demonstrated her interest in the float and
Children should be given learning tasks that are sink activity by choosing it from the self. She sat
suitable for their stages of thinking (McArdle, Gibson & down and she started to explore drop the object
Zollo, 2015). one by one into the water. This concept is both
playful and intentional as children love playing with
Elora was able to show her interest by choosing to do water activities. Therefore, Elora explored her joy
this activity during the morning cycle. She explored her with the containers of water while she learns the
learning by dropping the objects one by one to observe concept of float and sink.
on whether it sinks or floats.
PEDAGOGICAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Each portion of the documentation is to be analysed for pedagogical skills and knowledge demonstrated by the educators.
Play-based Pedagogies Teaching Strategies EYLF Educator Evidence Child Development
Elora demonstrated her Instructing – I provided Elora with the My role was to
enjoyment of play – based Informed Elora bucket of water, rocks, present the activity
concept of the float and sink during the group leaves, feather, plastic ball, of the concept of
activity as she had the freedom activity presentation sponge and spoon. float and sink as part
to use her observation, her on float and sink of the group activity

PLAC907 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 1 (3-5 YEARS): DOCUMENTATION, ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING RECORD
 PLAC907 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 1 (3-5 YEARS)
sense of touch and her fine work. to the children. The
motor skills to scope the children showed
objects from the water using a Discussing – their interest by
sppon. Informed Elora on actively participating
the reasons why by saying the names
Free play – time to explore the some objects float of the objects which
environment their own speed while other sink due float and sink due to
and observe the actions they to it weight. it weight.
do. (Sheridan & Howard, 2017)
Interacting – Elora
had question has
she was curious as
to why certain
objects sink and
float and she was
keen to try that
experience on her
own to experiment
her learning by
asking questions.
PLANNING
Objective for future holistic learning and development

 Sustainable Activity - Elora is able to identify the objects which can sink and float while using new
resources.

Learning experience name
Experience rationale
Development and learning goal:
Experience outline:
A list of materials required with photo(s):
Learning Experience
Outdoor Nature Walk: Collect natural resources and investigate floating and sinking
objects.
This was derived from Elora’s interest which was expressed by her
mother on their visit to the aquarium on Elora’s birthday.
Language – learning new words while collecting natural resources during
outdoor play.
Physical – Elora used her finger to collect the natural resources such as
leaves, twigs and flowers (fine motor skills) and walking using her legs
(gross motor skills).
This activity will be presented on a table with a container filled with water.
Elora will explore her interest by adding the items she has collected by
adding it to water one by one and observing. This observation will assist
her by understanding the concept of float and sink by using natural
resources which she has collected during outdoor play.

PLAC907 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 1 (3-5 YEARS): DOCUMENTATION, ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING RECORD
 PLAC907 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 1 (3-5 YEARS)

(Istock, 2024)
Principle 1 – Secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships
EYLF child evidence links
Principle 6 – Sustainability
Practice 1 – Holistic, integrated and interconnected approaches
Practice 3 – Play – based learning and intentionality
During the outdoor play, I informed Elora that she will be collecting natural
Introduction resources which she can find from outdoor garden such as leaves, twigs,
rocks, fallen flowers, etc.
Body Elora choose to collect the natural resources by asking her friends to join
her during the activity.
Conclusion Elora’s interest for exploration and discovery was palpable during
playtime as she collected natural materials and resources alongside her
peer. With a sense of curiosity, she embarked on an investigation to
Implementation plan determine which objects would sink and would float. Elora carefully
observed each item before placing it in the water and declared whether it
floats or sank. Her engagement in this hands on activity not only fostered
an understating of of her joy in learning through play.
Engagement What items have you collected from outside?
questions
What happened when you dropped the leaves inside the container of
water? Why do you think the leaves float?
What happened when you dropped the rock inside the container of water?
Why do you think the rock sank to the bottom of the container?
ACTING and DOING
Play pedagogies Play based setting in the classroom and outdoors
Instructing
Demonstrating
Listening,
Teaching strategies
Questioning
Encouraging
Positive statement
Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners
EYLF links
Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators
Effective use of Elora’s fine motor skills as she was able to drop the items
she has collected outdoors.

Effective communicator with identify specific words of her actions such as

Child development
leaves, rocks, float and sink.
Elora was able to recall her trip the aquarium as she was able to inform
the class of her experience and name a few sea animals she saw at the
aquarium.

PLAC907 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 1 (3-5 YEARS): DOCUMENTATION, ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING RECORD
 PLAC907 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 1 (3-5 YEARS)

Documentation and/or digital evidence of

implementation, acting and doing

REFLECTING and REVIEWING

How did the children respond? Did they achieve the learning objective? Were there any unexpected outcomes? What was your role? How
did you support and teach the children? Would you do anything differently? Where to next?
How did the children respond?
Very enthusiastic and joyful and very engaged due to her interest on learning about the concept of objects
which float and sink
Did they achieve the learning objective? Yes
Were there any unexpected outcomes? None
What was your role? Scaffolding the interest of the child by providing and guiding with the proper
resources.
How did you support and teach the children?
Scaffolding
Leading
Demonstrating
Questioning
Listening
Would you do anything differently? Nothing new
Where to next?
Demonstrating with visuals and settings activities in the classroom to further the interest of objects which
float and sink in the air.

PLAC907 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 1 (3-5 YEARS): DOCUMENTATION, ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING RECORD