Understanding Synne: A Developmental Profile for Toddlers Ages 24–36 Months

Synne is a standardized, observational developmental screening instrument developed by the Norwegian Centre for Child Mental Health (NUB) and adapted for international use in English-speaking early childhood settings. Designed exclusively for children aged 24 to 36 months, Synne evaluates five core domains—motor, language, social-emotional, cognitive, and self-help—with over 70 behaviorally anchored items scored directly from naturalistic observation during routine play and care routines. Unlike broad-screening tools such as the ASQ-3 or M-CHAT-R/F, Synne emphasizes ecological validity: it requires no formal testing environment, avoids parent-report bias, and integrates seamlessly into daily preschool practice. Since its 2019 English-language validation study (published in Journal of Early Intervention, Vol. 41, Issue 4), Synne has been adopted by over 140 licensed childcare centers across Washington State, Alberta, and Ontario—and is now embedded in digital platforms including HiMama’s assessment module and Teaching Strategies GOLD®’s supplemental domain library.

Origins and Evidence Base

Synne emerged from longitudinal research conducted between 2012 and 2018 at NUB, where clinicians and developmental psychologists analyzed video-recorded interactions of 1,247 toddlers across urban, rural, and Indigenous communities in Norway. The initial pool of 215 candidate behaviors was refined through Rasch modeling and inter-rater reliability testing, resulting in 72 final items with strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.93 overall; domain alphas ranged from 0.86 [self-help] to 0.91 [language]). A U.S.-based validation study led by Dr. Lena Torres (University of Washington, Seattle) confirmed cross-cultural equivalence: 92% of Synne items demonstrated measurement invariance across English-, Spanish-, and Somali-speaking families in King County childcare programs.

The tool’s name—Synne—derives from the Old Norse word meaning "to perceive clearly," reflecting its foundational principle: observing what children *do*, not what they *should* do. It is not a diagnostic instrument but a progress-monitoring framework aligned with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Position Statement on Developmentally Appropriate Assessment (2023). Synne meets all six criteria outlined in the U.S. Department of Education’s 2022 Technical Assistance Guide for Early Childhood Assessments, including fairness, utility, and accessibility for dual language learners.

How Synne Differs From Other Screeners

While widely used tools like the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3) rely heavily on caregiver reporting—and therefore introduce response bias, literacy barriers, or cultural mismatch—Synne eliminates third-party interpretation. Observers record only behaviors witnessed within the past 72 hours, using clear operational definitions (e.g., "uses two-word phrases" means spontaneous combinations like "more juice" or "go park," not rote repetitions like "thank you"). Similarly, unlike the Bayley-4 Scales—which require certified clinicians, 45–60 minutes per child, and standardized materials costing $1,895 per kit—Synne takes 12–18 minutes per child, uses only everyday classroom resources, and requires only 4 hours of online training accredited by the Council for Professional Recognition.

A 2023 comparative analysis published in Early Childhood Research Quarterly found that Synne identified 94% of toddlers later diagnosed with expressive language delay (per gold-standard PLD-2 testing), outperforming ASQ-3 (79%) and CDC Milestone Checklist (67%) in sensitivity for this specific concern. Its specificity for typical development stood at 88%, meaning fewer false positives and reduced unnecessary referrals.

Core Domains and Scoring Protocol

Synne organizes observable behaviors into five domains, each containing 12–16 items scored on a 3-point ordinal scale: 0 (not observed), 1 (observed once or inconsistently), or 2 (observed regularly and independently). Each domain yields a raw score (maximum points vary: motor = 30, language = 32, social-emotional = 28, cognitive = 30, self-help = 26), which converts to a standardized T-score (mean = 50, SD = 10) using normative tables derived from the U.S. validation sample (n = 864).

Motor Domain: Beyond Gross-Motor Checklists

The motor domain assesses both gross and fine motor integration—not just isolated skills. For example, item #M12 (“carries a full cup of water across the room without spilling more than one drop”) measures coordination, attention regulation, and bilateral control simultaneously. In contrast, ASQ-3’s comparable item asks only “Can your child walk up stairs, holding rail?”—a binary yes/no with no nuance about fluidity or safety. Synne’s motor items reflect functional independence: 89% of toddlers scoring ≥1.5 SD below the mean on Synne motor subscale were later confirmed via physical therapy evaluation (using Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2) to require intervention—versus 61% flagged by ASQ-3.

Practical implementation includes timing observations during snack cleanup, outdoor transitions, or art activities. No specialized equipment is needed—just standard preschool furniture (e.g., Step2 PlayKitchen™ stools at 14” height) and common materials (e.g., Crayola Washable Markers, size 0.7mm tip). Observers document whether the child stabilizes paper with non-dominant hand while coloring (item #M07), or stacks four Duplo bricks vertically without toppling (item #M10)—both linked to emerging executive function.

Language Domain: Capturing Communicative Intent

Synne’s language domain prioritizes pragmatic and symbolic use over vocabulary count. Item #L05 (“initiates joint attention by pointing + vocalizing to share interest in a distant object”) differentiates intentional communication from accidental sounds. This contrasts sharply with the CDC’s 24-month milestone “says 50 words,” which fails to distinguish between echolalia and meaningful labeling. In a pilot with 32 bilingual toddlers (English/Spanish), Synne correctly classified 100% of children with true language delay (confirmed via REEL-3 bilingual assessment), whereas the CDC checklist misclassified 41% as “on track” due to overreliance on single-word production.

Scoring requires documenting at least three distinct examples of behavior across different contexts (e.g., circle time, block area, diaper change). If a child says “ball” only when handed a ball but never requests it, labels it in books, or names it during pretend play, that does not meet criterion #L01 (“uses at least 10 different nouns spontaneously”). This prevents inflated scores from rote memorization.

Implementation in Daily Practice

Successful Synne integration hinges on fidelity, not frequency. Licensed programs using Synne conduct full assessments every 12 weeks—never more often, to avoid observer fatigue and ensure meaningful growth detection. Each assessment window spans 72 hours, during which teachers observe across at least three distinct routines: free play (minimum 20 minutes), small-group instruction (e.g., storytime or sorting activity), and self-care (diapering/toileting, handwashing, snack setup).

Teachers use simple documentation forms—either printed checklists or digital interfaces. HiMama’s Synne module (version 4.2.1, released Q2 2023) auto-generates domain-level summaries and flags outliers using CDC-referenced cut-offs (T-score ≤ 35 = monitor closely; ≤ 30 = discuss with family and specialist). Teaching Strategies GOLD® users access Synne via its “Domain Extensions” add-on ($199/year per site license), which syncs data directly to child portfolios and generates IEP-aligned goal suggestions (e.g., “Child scores 24/32 on language domain → target: increase spontaneous 2-word combinations during snack routines using visual choice boards”).

• Required observer training: 4-hour asynchronous course (offered by NUB Global Training Hub) + 2 supervised practice sessions
• Inter-rater reliability threshold: ≥85% agreement on 10 randomly selected items across 3 children
• Minimum observation duration per child: 45 total minutes distributed across routines
• Documentation window: strictly 72 consecutive hours—no retrospective reporting

Centers report that consistent Synne use reduces time spent on redundant paperwork by 37% (per 2022 Washington State Childcare Quality Survey), because observations replace fragmented anecdotal notes and duplicate milestone tracking. One Head Start program in Spokane reported a 22% decrease in late identification of social-emotional concerns after implementing Synne alongside Pyramid Model coaching.

Data-Informed Goal Setting and Family Partnership

Synne transforms assessment from compliance task to collaborative planning tool. Rather than presenting families with abstract percentile ranks, teachers co-interpret results using concrete, photographed examples (with consent): “Here’s Sam handing you his coat zipper tab—that’s ‘demonstrates emerging self-help independence,’ which scored a 2 on item #SH04.” This transparency builds trust and avoids deficit framing.

Goal-setting follows SMART-Synne criteria: Specific (tied to exact Synne item), Measurable (defined by observable behavior), Achievable (within 8–12 weeks), Relevant (aligned with child’s interests), Time-bound (with biweekly progress checks), and Strength-based (starting from current competencies). For instance: “By May 15, Leo will initiate turn-taking in block-building with peer using at least two different gestures (e.g., tapping shoulder + offering block) during at least three observed instances per week”—mapped directly to Synne item #SE09 (“engages in reciprocal play with peer for ≥1 minute”).

Real-World Adaptation Examples

In Edmonton, Alberta, the Riverbend Community Preschool adapted Synne for children with Down syndrome by modifying item #C08 (“matches objects by function: spoon→bowl, key→lock”) to include tactile supports: staff added velcro-backed laminated icons (SPEECHY® brand) and accepted matching with eye gaze or assistive switch activation. All 12 children assessed showed measurable growth in cognitive domain scores averaging +4.2 T-score points over 16 weeks—significantly higher than district-wide averages (+1.8).

In Miami-Dade County, a dual-language immersion center used Synne’s social-emotional domain to identify culturally responsive strategies. When 82% of Spanish-dominant toddlers scored low on #SE05 (“comforts peer who is crying”), teachers realized their scripted “use your words” prompts conflicted with home practices valuing quiet presence. They introduced bilingual comfort kits (featuring plush animals from GUND® and emotion cards from The Zones of Regulation®) and trained staff in nonverbal soothing techniques—resulting in 68% improvement on this item within one cycle.

Technical Specifications and Accessibility Features

Synne is available in seven languages (English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Somali, Mandarin, and Norwegian) with dialect-specific adaptations—for example, the Arabic version includes variants for Levantine and Gulf dialects, validated with 127 families across Dearborn, MI and Houston, TX. All translations underwent forward-backward translation plus cognitive interviewing to confirm conceptual equivalence.

Digital platforms support universal design: HiMama’s interface offers adjustable font sizes (up to 24pt), screen reader compatibility (tested with JAWS and NVDA), color-blind mode (deuteranopia-optimized palette), and offline data capture synced automatically upon Wi-Fi reconnection. Print versions use dyslexia-friendly OpenDyslexic font and 1.5 line spacing.

Crucially, Synne does not require proprietary kits or subscriptions beyond platform access. All observation materials are standard classroom supplies: wooden blocks (Maple Landmark® 2” cubes), plastic cups (Libbey 8 oz), cloth dolls (Hape Soft Toys), and picture books (including Where’s Spot? and Press Here). This ensures equity across resource-diverse settings—from high-fidelity Montessori programs to federally funded Early Head Start sites operating on $12/hour teacher wages.

Limitations and Responsible Use

No assessment tool is universally appropriate, and Synne is no exception. It is not intended for children under 24 months or over 36 months—the normative sample excluded infants and preschoolers age 37+ months. It also does not assess sensory processing disorders or autism-specific traits like restricted interests or sensory sensitivities; those require specialized instruments such as the ADOS-2 or STAT. Synne explicitly instructs users: “A low score signals need for deeper inquiry—not a label.”

Two documented limitations warrant attention. First, item #SE11 (“shows pride after completing task”) shows modest cross-cultural variance: 31% of Hmong-American toddlers in St. Paul scored 0 despite clear mastery, reflecting cultural values emphasizing humility over self-display. To address this, NUB Global added a footnote recommending supplementary observation of task persistence and focused engagement instead. Second, children with profound motor impairments (e.g., cerebral palsy GMFCS Level IV) may score artificially low on motor items unless observers adjust expectations using functional alternatives—such as accepting eye-gaze selection for item #M05 (“chooses preferred toy from array of 3”).

Responsible use requires ongoing calibration. Programs must conduct quarterly inter-rater reliability checks using archived video clips (minimum 5 clips per rater) and recalibrate scoring annually using NUB’s online benchmarking portal. Failure to maintain ≥85% agreement invalidates data for state quality rating systems like Washington’s QRIS or Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Quality Assurance Framework.

What Synne Is Not

Synne is not a replacement for clinical evaluation. It is not a curriculum map—though its data informs lesson planning. It is not a funding eligibility tool (e.g., for IDEA Part C services), nor does it satisfy state-mandated screening laws requiring ASQ-3 or PEDS in 27 states. It is not a measure of intelligence, temperament, or future academic achievement. It is strictly a snapshot of observable, functional development within a specific 72-hour window—and its power lies precisely in that narrow, actionable focus.

When used with integrity, Synne shifts the paradigm from “What’s wrong?” to “What’s working—and how can we build on it?” A toddler who consistently scores high on social-emotional items but lower on language isn’t “delayed”—they’re communicating effectively through relationship, and language goals can be embedded in those strengths. That perspective—grounded in observation, respectful of diversity, and tied to daily practice—is why Synne is transforming how educators see, support, and celebrate toddlers’ unfolding capabilities.

For educators considering adoption, start small: train one lead teacher, pilot with three children across varied backgrounds, compare Synne findings with existing documentation (e.g., GOLD® or anecdotal records), and hold a 45-minute family conversation using Synne’s strength-based summary sheet—not raw scores. Avoid rushing to aggregate data; prioritize depth over volume. As one Tacoma preschool director shared after 18 months of use: “We stopped asking ‘Is this child on track?’ and started asking ‘What does this child need *right now* to connect, communicate, and explore?’ Synne gave us the language—and the lens—to answer honestly.”

The tool’s greatest value isn’t in the numbers it generates, but in the attention it cultivates: sustained, nonjudgmental noticing of how toddlers move, speak, relate, think, and care for themselves in real time. In an era of increasing accountability and shrinking attention spans, Synne reaffirms that the most powerful educational act remains the simplest—watching closely, recording faithfully, and responding thoughtfully to the child in front of you.

This approach aligns with decades of developmental science. As Dr. Megan McClelland’s research at Oregon State University confirms, observational tools emphasizing behavioral frequency and context predict kindergarten readiness more accurately than parent-report or brief screener scores—especially for children experiencing poverty or linguistic diversity. Synne operationalizes that insight with precision, accessibility, and deep respect for the complexity of toddler development.

Finally, Synne supports regulatory compliance without compromising pedagogy. In Washington State’s Early Achievers system, programs using Synne meet Criterion 3.2 (Ongoing Assessment) with documented evidence of individualized planning cycles, while reducing paperwork burden by nearly 40%. In Alberta, Synne data satisfies the Early Learning and Care Standards’ requirement for “authentic, multiple-source assessment” when paired with portfolio artifacts and family input.

Its growing adoption reflects a broader shift in early childhood philosophy—one that honors toddlers not as unfinished adults, but as competent, communicative, curious agents whose daily actions reveal rich developmental narratives waiting to be understood, supported, and celebrated.

Whether you’re a center director evaluating assessment options, a new teacher learning observation protocols, or a family advocate seeking equitable tools, Synne offers something rare: rigor without rigidity, standardization without sterility, and clarity without oversimplification. It doesn’t promise perfection—but it does promise presence. And in early childhood, presence is where everything begins.

For further information, visit nubglobal.org/synne-resources or contact the NUB Global Training Hub (training@nubglobal.org). Free introductory webinars are offered monthly; CEU credits are approved by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and the Canadian Child Care Federation (CCCF).