Beginning the Process: What?

This chapter introduces the first stage of the What, So What, Now What framework: the What . At its core, this stage is about pausing to notice and document what is happening in children’s play and interactions without rushing to analyse or judge. The emphasis is on being present, descriptive and specific and recording actions, words and gestures as they occur. By focusing first on what is seen and heard, educators create a strong foundation for deeper reflection and planning. The chapter challenges common pitfalls such as jumping straight to interpretation, over-reliance on photographs or filtering observations through adult assumptions. Instead, it highlights the value of simple, authentic notes that capture the richness of children’s learning in real time. The What stage is presented as deceptively simple, yet transformative: once practitioners become confident in recording clear observations, the subsequent stages of reflection and response begin to flow naturally. This chapter provides practical strategies to strengthen observational skills and builds confidence in noticing the small but significant details that reveal how children think, explore and grow.