Activity 1.3 | Fostering Collaborative and Reflective Practices

Collaborative Dialogue

Reflecting on practices that respect and uphold staff, children and families involves continuously examining and reflecting on various aspects of the program, environment, and interactions to ensure they support children’s development, learning, and well-being. Watch this video about creating a shared vision and philosophy with staffing, families and children. 

Watch the YouTube video Achieving Quality in Educational Programs and Practice (ECE Learning Hub, 2014), where a visit to an early education centre in western Brisbane includes a conversation with the director and the owners. Their discussion emphasizes the importance of a shared vision among all owners, directors, educators, families, and children.

Creating an environment of collaborative dialogue and critical reflection allows for constant assessment and growth. Fostering a culture where open communication, mutual respect, and thoughtful inquiry are central to everyday practices is imperative to leading educators. This environment encourages educators to engage in meaningful discussions about their practices, children's needs, and the centre's philosophy and commitments to practice and care. 

References

ECA Learning Hub (2014). TAPS NQS PLP-Achieving quality in educational programs and practice. [YouTube]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X7YOrXoSpw&list=PL3ukiX3r7eXXfHyXWDi43YxFMOC_kmEw0 

Documentation

“Collaborative dialogue means inviting comments, questions, and interpretations from children, families, colleagues, and community members to elicit multiple perspectives. This process opens avenues for discussion not to find answers but to explore the different ways of thinking about pedagogy, and to invite reflection on assumptions, values, and unquestioned understandings. Ongoing collaborative dialogue can enrich and deepen perspectives, and can challenge educators to consider new ways of seeing, thinking, and practising.” 

(Early Learning Framework, 2019, p.50)

Watch the ECA Learning Hub YouTube video, Perspectives on Documentation and Co-design: Interviews on Using Documentation to Provoke Collaborative Dialogue and Inform Programming Choices and join educators as they share their experiences of collaborating with children to co-design and document learning in a rich and meaningful way. 

Documentation provides an opportunity to share the traces of children’s learning, which opens up opportunities for collaborative dialogue. Documentation is a fluid process that shares observations and allows us to slow down to ensure we are in the moment with children. It allows us to focus on the program and co-design spaces and curriculum. Seeing children as the expert in their learning. Documentation and traces will enable us to engage in collaborative dialogue with colleagues. 

Inviting Dialogue

Explore what traces are in the Early Learning Framework. 

Educators can learn from each other and continuously improve their practice by regularly sharing observations, asking questions, and reflecting critically on their approaches. Modelling and encouraging a collaborative atmosphere enhances professional growth and helps create a space where diverse perspectives are valued, leading to richer, more inclusive learning experiences for both children and staff. 

Consider how we bring children’s voices into these reflective practices. 

• How can children become active participants in their learning and shaping their environment? 

The Early Learning Framework shares the following about inviting collaborative dialogue: 

References

British Columbia Ministry of Education. (2019). British Columbia early learning framework. Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Children and Family Development, & Early Advisory Group. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/early-learning/teach/early-learning-framework 

Reflecting in context

Listen to Episode Two: Melissa Harris on Community (23:26) from the ECE Rural podcast hosted by Danielle Schmuecker and then reflect. 

Reflection

How will you build trust and collaboration with children, families, and staff? 

Write your thoughts in your journal, and provide an example of a communication strategy you would use to navigate a challenging situation, such as resolving a conflict between staff members or addressing a family concern. 

Consider sharing this with others in your centre. 

Reference

Schmuecker, D. (Host). (2023, May 15). Melissa Harris on community (Season 1, Episode 2) [Audio podcast episode]. In ECE in Rural BC. Buzzsprout. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2127147/12839291