1st Edition
Reflection and Reflective Spaces in the Early Years A Guide for Students and Practitioners
Reflection and Reflective Spaces in the Early Years will support readers in developing their own reflective practice and creating reflective environments for the young children and families they work with. Combining case studies and reflective tasks to compliment a range of theories, concepts and alternative approaches to reflection, this book shows how the reflective process can help practitioners adapt to rapid changes in the sector and improve professional practice.
Drawing on action research alongside the use of Japanese words and concepts (such as Ikigai, exploring your reason for being, Hansei, the art of honest self- reflection, and Wabi-Sabi, reflecting upon your perfectly imperfect self), chapters are full of practical guidance, activities and questions to prompt reflective thinking, covering such topics as:
- Reflection and Reflective Theory
- The Art of Self Reflection
- The Reflective Underground
- Creating Reflective Spaces in the Early Years
- The Rainbow Researcher Framework
- How to create reflective spaces in Early Years
- Exploring Creative Methods of Reflection
This book will be invaluable reading for early years practitioners, tutors and early years students on level 3 courses and Foundation Degrees, but also for anyone interested in reflection or starting an academic or professional journey where you are required to reflect upon your practice.
Introduction
1. Reflection and Reflective Practice
2. The Art of Self Reflection
3. The Reflective Underground
4. Reflection and Research: Creating Reflective Spaces
5. Creative Methods of Reflection and our Reflective Space
Final Reflection
Biography
Annie Pendrey is an educational consultant, lecturer and creative researcher in FE and Early Years and Education Studies. Annie is studying for her PhD and is the author of The Little Book of Reflective Practice.
"You will not regret reading this! It's an insightful and motivational book, which inspires and ignites many different reflective practices such as Hansei and Wabi-Sabi whilst introducing the concept of 'perfectly imperfect'. Annie guides you through the fascinating art of self-reflection plus creating reflective spaces for young children, beautifully balancing theory with top tips, case studies and useful tools. I am definitely inspired to reflect more and in different ways, some of which I had never even thought of!" - Michelle Hague, HEYD Founder
"I thoroughly enjoyed reading Reflection and Reflective Spaces by Annie Pendrey recently. The book took me on a journey of reflection and introduced to me to different approaches and theoretical viewpoints, significantly the influence from Japan. Case studies are embedded into the chapters to bring the work alive and add context for the reader. I enjoyed reading about reflection from this new viewpoint, but also it reminded me of the importance of the environment. Creating an environment conducive for reflection is essential, but as Annie reminds us, it doesn’t have to be perfect, and it needs to be what you need it to be for your own reflective journey, ‘wabi-sabi! If you get a chance take a read, there are many strategies and tips to support you on your own reflective journey." - Janet King, Sector Manager Education and Childcare, NCFE
