Which of the following is an example of a formative assessment?

The selection of observing a child's play to gauge their social skills as an example of a formative assessment is accurate because formative assessments are designed to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to improve their learning.

This type of assessment occurs during the learning process, allowing educators to identify areas where a child may need additional support or instruction. By observing play, teachers can gain insights into children’s social interactions, problem-solving abilities, and emotional regulation, thereby enabling them to address specific developmental needs and reinforce strengths as they arise.

In contrast, the other options represent different types of assessments that are typically used to evaluate student performance after the learning has occurred. Standardized testing at the end of the year, report cards, and final presentations are summative assessments. These assessments summarize what students have learned over a period and typically do not provide ongoing feedback that can be acted upon during the learning process. As such, they do not qualify as formative assessments, which are inherently about learning in real-time.