Our new resource, the Practice Guideline on Pedagogical Practice (the guideline) can help you adapt curriculum and pedagogy as you transition back to on-site child care.
The guideline covers and encourages inquiry and play-based learning and interacting with the natural world, building collaborative relationships and examines the key role judgment plays in professional leadership.
Collaboration and the learning community
Collaborative relationships with children, families and colleagues (aka the learning community) positively influence pedagogy and curriculum. These relationships are most effective in enhancing children’s sense of well-being, belonging and security.
When children feel a sense of security, they are able to focus on play that enhances their overall learning and development. “To optimize collaboration, get to know members of the learning community,” says Meredith Farley RECE, Professional Practice Analyst at the College who also contributed to the guideline. “Find out about their experiences with the pandemic and what matters most to them right now. What are their goals for their children and families?”
With colleagues or on your own, take some time to reflect on the following:
What have you learned from children, families and colleagues about their experiences with, and feelings about the pandemic? How does this influence your approach to pedagogy?
Have children and families been able to contribute to the pedagogy and curriculum? If so, how? If not, how can they become involved?
With new guidelines and protocols in place, what resources do you need to support your pedagogical practice (i.e., community of of practice, information and materials)?
What questions do you have about the ways that physical distancing and other new protocols and procedures influence pedagogical practice and developing curriculum?
How can you explore and co-create answers to these questions with members of the learning community, recognizing that all participants are co-learners in this new environment?
The processes of pedagogical practice
Observation and Listening
Documentation and Narration
Planning and Implementing
Program Assessment and Adaptation
As you reflect on these interrelated processes, think about what areas of your practice have changed during the pandemic. What processes have remained the same despite the current context? Discuss your thoughts and reflections with members of the learning community.
Consider how the current environment and practice adaptations may provide an opportunity to further explore elements of practice such as:
- Indigenous ways of knowing and being
- The role of the natural environment
- The importance of sharing knowledge and gaining new outlooks
Looking for additional reflection exercises?
Review one or more of the following:
Practice Guideline on Professionalism
