How Valuable is early childhood assesment? why?

Question

How Valuable is early childhood assesment? why?

Answer 1

Childhood assessments before age five are meaningless.

Answer 2

They are very important!  I am a preschool teacher and we do assessments on every cild twice a year.  It helps us (and the parents!) know where the child is developmentally so that we can tailor our lesson plans to the needs/interests.  

Assessments are also important at this young age to help spot any red flags as fas as any possible learning/development/social delays and/or disabilities.  Without these assessments a child could go without help he/she might need to help them in their everyday lives.

On a personal note, I also have a son with autism.  He was diagnosed right after his second birthday.  If he had not had any assessments done he would never have received Early Intervention, and would not be able to function as well as he now is (he is 6) because of it.

Any good preschool will do assessments at least once a year, and they are free (included in tuition) so what's the harm?

Answer 3

depends on the need.  it was irrelevent in the case of my daughter, but can mean the difference between a successful child and one who fails for a child with learning disabilities.