Glossary - He kupu whakamārama

In English

analysis - the interpretation (making sense) of information in order to generate evidence that will inform judgments

appraisal - the evaluation of performance

assessment - the practice of observing children's learning (noticing), seeking to understand it (recognising), and acting on this understanding (responding)¹⁰

conceptual approach - an approach to analysis that interprets the information in relation to key ideas, theories, or frameworks

community of learners - a community made up of children, families, whānau, teachers, and others who have common learning goals

criteria - principles or standards by which something can be decided or judged

curriculum - the sum total of the experiences, activities, and events, whether direct or indirect, that occur within an environment designed to foster children's learning and development

descriptive approach - an approach to analysis that involves looking for themes, patterns, or contradictions or seeking out predetermined categories

evaluation - the process of using evidence to form a judgment about how well goals are being met, in order to make decisions about change

evidence - information that has been analysed and, as a result, informs the judgments that are made in review

focus - an area of practice that is targeted for review, usually expressed as a question or statement

indicator - a statement that outlines the desired practice or outcome

judgment - a decision or opinion made on the basis of evidence

numerical approach - an approach to analysis that involves counting, comparing, or interpreting different sets of figures or ideas

policy - a rule, course, or principle of action adopted by an early childhood education service regarding particular aspects of practice; a policy should be consistent with the shared vision of that service

portfolio - (also called profile) a collection of observations that form a profile documenting a child's learning over time

review priority - an aspect of practice that is regarded as the most important focus for a review

reflection - the act of looking beyond the taken-for-granted ways of doing things and exploring alternatives for practice

reflexivity - the act of suspending judgments by accepting the fact that there are many ways of knowing and coming to know

vision - a statement that sets out a service's aspirations for children as learners

In te reo Māori

ako - reciprocal processes of learning

arohaehae - to critically discern

kaupapa - an agenda, a way of doing things, a plan

kaiako - a teacher

raranga - a weaving technique that involves overlapping strands or fibres (six root words are also explored in section 3)

takapa - a mat that is spread out on the floor

tino rangatiratanga - self-determination or the ability to determine one's own destiny

whakatauākī - sayings that each have many meanings rather than a direct translation

whanaungatanga - a value that reinforces the commitment of a group

whānau - a family or group of people who are connected in some way

In Sāmoan

`ie toga - a fine mat

papa laufala - an everyday mat

^[10] Adapted from Drummond, 1993, in Kei Tua o te Pae, Book 1.