Documentation comes in a variety of ways and can serve multiple purposes. One way of using documentation in our work, is to make the learning visible. This is not limited to the learning of the children in our centres and programs, but also the learning of ourselves, one another, families, and colleagues.
When we use documentation to make our own learning visible, it allows us to reflect on our growth. It can also provide an opportunity to invite other perspectives that may have an impact on our own practice. We also know how vulnerable someone can feel when they become the subject of documentation; this can be true for ourselves as well.
Recently, I had the opportunity to have Kinga join me for a couple of sessions I was facilitating with families at our local EarlyON program. We have since met a couple of times to discuss her observations and even a piece of documentation she put together. While the documentation she shared with me was a beautifully written piece, we continued thinking together to see how best it is for us to share with others. We revisited the learning and thinking we had done through the Pedagogical Companion discussions with Karyn Callaghan. After sharing some questions, thoughts and ideas together, we decided instead of sharing a ‘finished’ piece of documentation completed from Kinga’s observations, we would share something different.
As you read the documentation below, we invite you to think of these questions and share your thoughts with us in the comments:
- Why are these things important in our work with children, families, educators, and one another?
- How do we notice these things?
- How do we grow what we notice?
Early Learning Quality Initiative 