We do not learn from experience… we learn from reflecting on experience.
– John Dewey

The term “reflective practice” invites early care and education practitioners to think deeply about their work with young children, considering ways to strengthen their skill levels in all they do. Here are a couple of tools to assist reflective practitioners:

The organization, Defending the Early Years, is offering a Reflective Practitioner Series. They write:

“We are pleased to announce the introduction of a new Gold tier for $8 per month, which provides access to all courses in the Reflective Practitioner Series. Each course includes pre-recorded videos, reflective workbooks, live Zoom discussions, and a certificate of completion (you must submit your workbook). Our Platinum tier, at $25 per month, includes all RPS courses and access to our other Professional Learning Institute offerings, such as our Fall Book Study. You can also donate a membership to support an early childhood educator!”

Another resource is Exchange Reflections which provides a supportive series of questions and ideas for action steps that groups of people can discuss and reflect upon together. For example, in the Reflections, “Documenting Learning: Process and Possibilities,” author Alison Maher explores documentation of children as capable learners and encourages educators to reflect on how different aspects of documation can help in curriculum planning and engage families.