Reflecting in Communities of Practice: A Workbook for Early Childhood Educators

Enhance the quality of your teaching with collaborative, critical, and reflective thinking

Teaching young children is complex work. While you manage the day-to-day events that unfold in your classroom, you also have to keep up with the demands of assessment and documentation. With all of these challenges, how can you maintain the equally important tasks of encouraging children’s curiosity and supporting their joy of learning? How can you sustain your own curious mind and joyful spirit in your work? Reflecting with other teachers in a community of practice can strengthen your ability to respond to the children in your classroom and share meaningful experiences with them.

This workbook is designed to be used with a group-a community of practice-but it can also be a self-study tool. The exercises help you understand and practice the key elements of reflective teaching. Ten study sessions provide opportunities to engage with peers as you collaborate and connect theory and best practices in your classrooms. These experiences will help you

Evaluate and grow your reflective teaching skills

Use the Thinking Lens ™ protocol to align your daily work with your larger goals, values, and vision

Gain a heightened sense of self-awareness and a stronger image of children

Examine the details of your environment

Challenge yourself with new perspectives