#49 Shine as an educator – Critical Reflection!!

Shine As An Educator

I read a wonderful statement this week

that I think we often forget,

that isn’t often reflected on AND

is so true I wanted to share with you…

Critical reflection does not always have to be negative, you can reflect on good

things and why they work well for you!!

I love it – it’s not mine but I thought it was so very on point that I needed to share.

Now on Shine as an Educator – we have covered well, at least 49 different topics from

both a questioning and celebrating point of view. And although I make a point of

sharing what I am reflecting on as well as points that I feel are valuable for you to reflect

on, I think this is a great statement to take a moment and really think on.

When you are writing your critical reflections do you just look for what went wrong, what

you struggle with or the frustrations of the week – when you could be looking for what

really worked, what you can celebrate and take a little pride for achieving.

Your Critical Refection Question is

HOW OFTEN DO YOU CRITICALLY REFLECT?

Now I know we have visited this before, but there seems to be so very much confusion on

the topic – it definitely – without a doubt needs visiting again.

I find a small amount of dedicated time each week really works well for me. I would love

to hear what works for you? Most services seem to encourage a minimum of one a

month. But truly I think we know the answer is totally individualised.

If you are new to the child care profession then it would definitely be in your best interest

to reflect more often – include questions – about why you are doing what you are doing.

Reflecting on best practice. Celebrations, as well as making plans to ask for help or

further research on whats not working for you.

Your Challenge today

TAKE A SECOND LOOK AT LAST MONTHS, PERSONAL CRITICAL

REFLECTIONS!!

Are you reflecting on personal struggles? – Celebrations? – Best practice? – Curriculum

knowledge? – Environment? – NQS? – Principals and Practices? Belonging, Being &

Becoming? – Theorists? – EYLF? – MTOP?

In a way that you can show thoughtful, intentional, improvement??

It’s actually a lot to think about when put into a little blurb like this.

Check out Simple Reflect – The latest documenting tool for Educators

When CRITICAL REFLECTION is deconstructed and put into guided questions like

Shine as an Educator or shared in a really personal way, it creates a professional

development journey. One that is valuable – meaningful – uplifting and incredibly

important for both the children we care for and ourselves as educators.

There is NO doubt – It is part of being an educator.

Critical reflection challenges values, assumptions, beliefs and underlying knowledge as

well as theories.It helps us make judgments about the relevance of our own practices and

what we are offering as valuable experiences and interactions with the children we care

for.

This week I sent out a Belonging, Being and Becoming printable resource, it was part of

my personal critical reflection and I decided to share it because I really liked it.

If you didn’t get a copy message me and I will send it to you-

I regularly re-read the EYLF for Australia booklet as I feel it is an important part of

being an educator and staying connected with the values of our curriculum. The

Belonging, Being and Becoming was what I focused on this week.

I think educators often underestimate the value of regularly reading this booklet.The

wording, the structure is all with meaning. It was written to guide us and for us to follow.

I’m feeling a bit bossy when I say this but I will say it – Don’t ignore or push aside a

document that is so valuable in our profession. Take the time to read it.

Top Tip Time

Developing reflective skills can take time and practice.

But it will be worth it.

Be kind to yourself and set up a way of documenting your critical reflections that works

for you. I print mine and put them in my portfolio – but however you choose to make it

into a habit that will be easily continued.

I would love to hear from you

Links for this Podcast:

simpereflect.com.au
shineasaneducator.com

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