Within a technical approach to curriculum planning, observations are often based on a 'deficit' view of the child, in which the observer looks for evidence that patterns, and then offers the child is conforming (or not) to normal developmental.
Grieshaber (1997) challenged experiences to remedy any deficits in conformity. outcomes statements based on developmental continua on two counts.
The literacy indicators are culturally biased. They have been developed from research on how English-speaking children attain literacy and, therefore, do not necessarily apply to all children.
The indicators are decided on stage-based notions of children's cognitive development that have been strongly criticized (see Catherwood 1994)