Talking with Feeling in the Early Years

'Work Discussion' as a Model of Supporting Professional Reflection and Wellbeing
1. Auflage 2024
ISBN: 978-1-032-39338-4
Verlag: Routledge

Buch, Englisch, 128 Seiten, Format (B × H): 175 mm x 250 mm, Gewicht: 417 g

Early years pedagogy is a deeply human, emotional activity as well as an intellectual and physical one. Drawing on key research, this book explores how ‘Work Discussion’ can offer a safe space for practitioners to reflect on their daily experience including the feelings that accompany the work. In facilitating honest and open conversations, it shows how sharing troubling dilemmas and experiences in a supportive environment can improve both the wellbeing of practitioners and the outcomes for children and their families.

This book explains the origins of Work Discussion, the results of a year-long evaluation of its impact in a large early years setting, and the accounts of five nursery leaders who have experienced using Work Discussion. Concluding with practical advice on preparing to go forward for training in facilitating Work Discussion groups in early years settings, chapters cover:

- How to set up Work Discussion as a model of professional reflection

- Structuring conversations and responding to difficult incidents and experiences

- The benefits of Work Discussion for practitioners, children and families

- Detailed case studies of Work Discussion in action.

Written by leading experts and including reflective questions throughout, this will be valuable reading for early years practitioners as well as managers wanting to support their staff’s mental health wellbeing.

Zielgruppe

General and Professional Practice & Development

Autoren/Hrsg.

Elfer, Peter

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Pädagogik Schulen, Schulleitung Grundschulen, Hauptschulen
• Sozialwissenschaften Pädagogik Schulen, Schulleitung Kindergarten & Vorschule
• Sozialwissenschaften Pädagogik Lehrerausbildung, Unterricht & Didaktik Lehrerausbildung

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Part One: Relationships Matter

Chapter 1. Let’s get serious about feelings in early years practice (Peter Elfer);

Chapter 2. Introducing Work Discussion as an holistic model of professional reflection (Dilys Wilson)

Part Two: Does Work Discussion work? A research evaluation from the perspectives of practitioners, children, and parents

Chapter 3. Introducing the Research Evaluation (Peter Elfer)

Chapter 4. The practitioners’ perspectives (Antonia Zachariou)

Chapter 5. Does ‘Work Discussion’ work? How can we know if Work Discussion makes a difference for children (Sue Robson)

Chapter 6. The parents’ perspective. What was learnt in the evaluation about working with parents and what matters to parents? (Sue Greenfield)

Part Three: Five Nursery Managers talk about their experience of Work Discussion

Chapter 7: Research into Practice. Inviting Nursery Leaders to try out Work Discussion: What did they make of it?

Chapter 8. Christina’s story

Chapter 9. Emily’s story

Chapter 10. Lisa’s story

Chapter 11. Sam’s story

Chapter 12. Tricia’s story

Part Four: What is involved in leading a Work Discussion group?

13. Building space to talk and think: Five Key Tasks for Work Discussion Facilitators (Ruth and Peter)

Über Autor(innen)

Peter Elfer is Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Education at the University of Roehampton. He has been a Trustee and Chair of Research for the Froebel Trust. His research has been focussed on the experiences of babies, young children, and practitioners in nursery settings.