5.3 Let’s Practice

Person writing on a table on their bed.
Photo by Paico Oficial is licensed under the Unsplash License.

The Writing Process 

  1. Consider the provocation – see reflection points below.
  2. Free Write for 5 minutes
  3. Share your thoughts with one other person
  4. Write again for 5 minutes
  5. Participate in group conversation
  6. Write a final reflection

 

Writing Activity 

Instructions:

Choose one of the provocations below and then one or more of the writing prompts and practice writing.

Provocations:

A) Climbing Photo by S. Third, 2022

A photo showing a child climbing

Children using climbing sticks.

B) Dialogue with Natural Materials on Vimeo

This 5:53 minute video shows the unique experience children have with the natural world

C) Pedagogical Practice (College of ECE)

This 34 page Practice Guideline explores the obligation and practice of being a reflective practitioner, through the lens of a self regulating body

D) What is COVID-19 and how does it relate to child development

This short info graphic examines the affects of COVID-19 on development

E) DevelopingprofessionalismthroughreflectivepracticeJBLeach.pdf

This 14 page research paper explores the topic of professional learning, professionalism and reflective practice

F) The Heart of Teaching Toddlers

In this 55 minute podcast author and expert Deb Curtis discusses why toddlers are continue to be where she wants to teach after 40 years

Writing Prompts:

  1. What do you notice about the children? Their face, their demeanor, their competence. What captures your attention from viewing the photo, video or reading the article?
  2. How do you feel when you are looking at the photo, watching the video or reading?
  3. What questions do you have about the content considering the perspective of the child, their family, and desired learning outcomes?
  4. What delights you as you examine the material and how is this response related to your own values and background?

Dig Deeper

Want to explore more on Writing for Reflection Chapter 10 of this OPEN resource will provide more opportunities to explore this component of reflective practice

Reflective writing – Reflective Practice Toolkit – LibGuides at University of Cambridge Subject Libraries

Anti-Bias Leaders in Early Childhood Education  a guide to change with Louise Derman-Sparks, Debbie LeeKeenan, John Nimmo

 

Sources

Writing prompts adapted from A Thinking Lens for Reflective Teaching used under fair dealing for educational purposes.
Curtis, D., Carter, M. and Pelo, A. (2007). Learning together with young children: A curriculum framework for reflective teachers. St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press.

 

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Reflective Practice in Early Years Education Copyright © 2022 by Sheryl Third is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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