What method will best assess a preschool student's communication skills during play?

Watching a small group engaged in meaningful play is the best method to assess a preschool student's communication skills because play is a natural context in which young children express themselves, share ideas, and interact with peers. During play, children often demonstrate their language abilities in a relevant and dynamic environment, showcasing their vocabulary, storytelling skills, and ability to collaborate and negotiate with others. This approach allows educators to observe genuine communication and social interactions in real-time, providing valuable insights into how children use language in authentic situations.

In contrast, conducting a formal quiz on vocabulary may not accurately reflect a child's communicative competence, as it typically removes the social context and may induce anxiety. Observing students during independent work may show some communication skills, but it lacks the interactive element that play provides. Listening to each student read a script focuses on decoding and reading fluency rather than spontaneous communication and social language use, which are critical in assessing overall communication skills in a play setting.