Big Discoveries, Little Moments: How We Track Preschool Growth

Big Discoveries, Little Moments: Watching Your Child Grow at WHPS

A block tower, a conversation with a friend, a triumphant “I did it myself!” These everyday moments tell us so much.

At Woodland Hills Private School, our teachers use intentional observation to look closely at the learning happening during play, routines, and interactions. Our age-group objectives, from Toddlers through Early Transitional Kindergarten (ETK), guide what teachers look for as they follow each child's developmental progress. These observations also help teachers plan meaningful experiences and provide individualized support.

What Are We Watching For?

Growth across the whole child. Our developmental objectives help teachers recognize emerging skills, celebrate progress, and identify where children may benefit from additional guidance. Here are some of the discoveries we're looking for.

Friendship & Feelings

Expressing needs, joining play, and learning to work through disagreements.

Words & Wonder

Following directions, sharing ideas, and talking about stories.

Thinking & Discovering

Sorting, counting, solving problems, and investigating how things work.

Movement & Independence

Climbing, drawing, using scissors, and managing everyday tasks.

Small Steps Deserve Big Celebrations.

Beginning in our Terrific Twos program, we document children's developmental growth through progress reports grounded in developmental milestones. Teachers create natural opportunities to observe children applying their skills during play, everyday routines, and interactions with others.

These observations help us recognize each child's strengths, emerging skills, and areas where additional support may be helpful. Because children develop at different rates, we look for growth over time, partnering with families to celebrate progress and plan meaningful next steps.

The goal isn't to rush development.
It's to notice it, support it, and celebrate it.