Shared Goal and Action Planning

Taylor:  Hi Emma, let’s review the data dialog worksheet we completed at our last meeting.  Do you remember what you wanted your specific goal to be?

Emma:  Yes, thanks.  I want to make my toddler circle time more engaging by singing songs with fingerplays. As we already discussed, I do a good job of engaging most of the children during toddler circle, however, I’d like to build on this and individualize for children who are having difficulty following along with the fingerplay songs.

Taylor:  That’s right!  Let’s walk through the SMART action plan form together, starting with the “S” and the ”M.”

Emma:  I think I’d like to incorporate at least two new fingerplay songs into circle time with toddlers.

Taylor:  Great, so it sounds like you’ll be introducing the toddlers to several new songs during circle time.  Your specific goal is to individualize for children who are having difficulty following along.  That’s the “S.”
How often do you think you want to do that?  Once a week?  Twice a week? What number seems doable for you?

Emma:  Hmm…I think twice a week seems like enough.  I can introduce one new one and then after the next circle, we can review the new fingerplay song and I’ll introduce another new one.  I also want to take notes on how the children I offer  help to are engaged with the activity.

Taylor:  Sounds good.  Do you want to write that down in the Measurable component?

Emma:  Sure, thanks.

Taylor:  The next step is thinking about how Achievable this goal and plan is.  We can also develop some action steps for you to follow to reach your goal.  What do you need to achieve this goal?  How can I support you in reaching it?  I also wondered if you might have some favorite fingerplay songs or rhymes you remember from your childhood or with your own children that you could use?

Emma:  I’m so glad you asked me about that.  I do have some fingerplay songs that I remember my mother singing with me.  I would love to use some of those!  This is an achievable plan because I could use those and some other ideas I have for fingerplay songs already.
The only thing I might need some help with is recording how the children are engaged with the activity.  Could you include this in your observation notes?  I’d also like to have more information about scaffolding an activity for the toddlers who need additional support.

Taylor:  Sure, I’m happy to take notes on this during my observation.  I also have some articles I can give you that will be helpful around scaffolding the fingerplay songs during circle.  Why don’t you write up a couple of action steps that outline what you’ll do to reach your goal and what I’ll do to support you.

Emma:  Oh, I’ll really appreciate those articles. Thanks for being able to observe and record the toddler’s responses to my scaffolding.

Taylor:  My pleasure!  The next step is the “R” or Ready.  Some people like to think of it as Relevant.  I like to think of it as Ready and we can use some readiness rulers to talk about it.  For example, on a scale of 1-10, with 1 not being ready at all to 10 being ready to implement it today, how ready do you feel to implement your goal?

Emma:  Hmm…I think I’m at an 8.  I’m feeling pretty ready to work on this.

Taylor:  That’s great!  You placed yourself at an 8.  What would it take to get you to a 9 or 10?

Emma:  I think just starting to work on it and having you record the childrens’ engagement of course.

Taylor:  Sounds good.  Why didn’t you place yourself at a 6?

Emma:  I’m not lower than an 8 because I feel I already have the fingerplay songs I need to use in this plan.

Taylor:  That’s great!  Let’s talk about the last step which is the “T” for Timebound.  How long do you need to prepare for your toddler circle time before I observe you?  When do you want me to come back to observe and record notes?

Emma:  I think I’ll be ready for you to observe me in a few weeks.  Next week is really busy for me but the following week I’ll have enough time to prepare.  Is that ok?

Taylor:  Of course.  Let’s write down that I’ll come back to observe you in two weeks.

Emma:  Thanks, Taylor!