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Writing a full cycle document

Document a child's complete learning cycle from what you observed through to how your planning made a difference.

Written by Sithmi Rajapaksa

A full cycle document brings your entire planning cycle together over a period of time. It moves through observation, assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation, drawing on the documentation you've already created for a child over a chosen period of time. Mana writes the first draft from your existing documentation, it saves significant time while keeping your voice and the facts intact.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Go to a child's Journey and select Create a doc

  2. Select Full Cycle as the document type

  3. Choose your date range: last 3 months, last 6 months, or last 12 months and then click Load documents

  4. Review the list of documents Mana has pulled in. Deselect any you don't want included, then click Next

  5. Add any additional notes or context, then click Generate. Mana will write a structured draft with five sections based on your existing documentation.

  6. The document is a first draft. Read it carefully, edit for your voice, and add any additional details. Use the "What should I change?" bar to reformat sections,
    adjust tone, or apply your centre's headings.

  7. Save and share.

What each section covers

Observing: A factual account of what the child did, said, and created across the period. Drawn from learning stories, jottings, and other documentation you've selected.

Assessing: An interpretation of what the learning means, connected to your curriculum framework and service philosophy. Relevant outcomes are named and explained.

Planning: The intentional planning that came out of your observations: learning priorities, provocations, environmental changes, and strategies you identified.

Implementation: What was actually put into practice including educator responses, experiences offered, resources introduced, and any family collaboration.

Evaluation: A reflection on the impact of what was implemented. What changed for the child? What does the evidence show? How does this connect back to the original focus?

Important things to know

  • Mana only uses documentation you select it won't invent facts, quotes, or outcomes.

  • If evidence across a section is limited, Mana will write cautiously rather than overstating progress.

Tip: For the richest full cycle document, include a mix of jottings, learning stories, and plans from across the date range.

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