12 Learning Stories

In an article published in NAEYC’s Teaching Young Children, Judy Pack shares her thoughts on Learning Stories, “I like to think of it as observing small moments that provide big opportunities” (Pack, 2016).  

Compared to running records or anecdotal records, a learning story is an observation method that is written in a narrative story format to highlight a child’s learning. The learning story communicates more than facts about how a child approaches or accomplishes tasks, and it spotlights key moments in a child’s day and focuses on their strengths. When writing a learning story, an educator not only writes down what they saw and heard, but they can also write down what they thought about while they watched the child play. More than that, this method encourages the child and their families to be active participants in the reflective process. When the educator shares the learning story with both the child and family members, they can add their comments, ask follow-up questions, and make suggestions on how to move forward based on what was reported in the learning story. One unique aspect of learning stories is that when used regularly, they can help educators connect to families and build strong, respectful relationships.

Gathering your Data

Whether you plan an observation, spontaneously watch a child as they play, or observe during an educator-directed activity or a child-led moment, you can gather some suitable evidence for your learning story. As you watch and listen to a child at play, you can take pictures and jot down objective and descriptive facts that you will use to write a story. If you want to learn about a child’s interests and capabilities, and how they process information, you should observe the following:

• Engagement: How long does the child stay focused and engaged in an activity?
• Intentionality: Does the child have a goal in mind or express a plan of action?
• Relationships: Does the child interact or connect with others?
• Learning disposition: Does the child have a particular approach to figuring things out?

ORGANIZING YOUR DATA

Whether you want to write a short paragraph or a full page, there are some key components that you must include in your learning story:

1. A Title – All good stories have a title that draws the reader in. Titles can act as a reminder of the content of the learning story, making it easy for educators to revisit at a later time.
2. Photos – Learning stories should have at least one photo. Visual images evoke emotion and a connection to the story.
3. Narrative – This is where the storyteller (you) describes what is seen and heard. It is best to write in the first person, using “I…”. The narrative is the body of the story and highlights authentic observation evidence (facts and vivid details).
4. What it means – This is where the storyteller (you) interprets the learning that took place. It is best to write in the second person, using “You…”.
5. Opportunities and Possibilities – This is where you reflect on planning for the next step and building on what the child knows.
6. Family and Child’s Voice – The child’s family is encouraged to provide their understanding of the story. Families can create stories and provide valuable insight into the learning that happens at home. Children can also share their perspectives.

Advantages

Here are some advantages to using learning stories:

• The child receives positive messages that their ideas and ways of thinking are valued, and they enjoy hearing stories about their successes
• The educator, child and family have an equal opportunity to reflect on the child’s thinking and learning
• The stories provide insight into the best way to plan for a more meaningful curriculum
• The stories capture moments in a child’s daily life that can be used with other observation methods to create a comprehensive profile on a child
• They provide authentic information about a child’s strengths in a friendly and personal format
• They inform families how children learn through play and how they are natural learners, eager investigators, and problem solvers
• They open a door for respectful conversations with parents about school experiences

Disadvantages

The drawbacks of using learning stories include the following:

• Can be time consuming
• Can be difficult to remain objective
• Focuses on one event, situation or behaviour at a time, so educators can miss or overlook important information
• May not always report a child’s typical pattern of development or behaviour