Reflection and Feedback

Taylor:  Hi Emma, I hope you had a chance to review the video of your circle time I uploaded to CECI.

Emma:  I didn’t have enough time to watch it because you didn’t upload it right away and we were meeting shortly after the focused observation.

Taylor:  I apologize for not getting the video uploaded right away.  It sounds like this was really frustrating.

Emma:  It was frustrating and when you said you would upload it in time for me to watch it, I was really depending on you to do that.  When it wasn’t there it made me question whether we should even have this coaching session today.

Taylor:  It sounds like you may not feel like I’m being accountable.  I said I would upload it in time and I failed to do that.  I’d like to know if we can talk about how to repair some trust that may have gotten shaken.

Emma:  Oh, ok.  Well, one step toward being able to do that is for us to take the time during this session to watch the video together.  Can we do that?

Taylor:  Of course, I’d love to do that.

(Taylor and Emma watch the video)

Taylor:  I’m so glad we just watched the video together.  What did you like best and what do you think worked well during circle time?

Emma:  I loved seeing the toddlers enjoying the fingerplay song as they tried following along.

Taylor:  That’s great.  I also noticed that most of the toddlers were able to follow along and do the fingerplay motions on their own.

Emma:  I agree.  However, I also noticed that the toddlers I provided some individual support to were able to follow along better than they did before.

Taylor:  I noticed that too,  just like you did.  What did you do differently to help those two toddlers to follow along better?  If you were to do this same fingerplay song again, is there anything else you would try to encourage more engagement?

Emma:  I read the articles on scaffolding that you gave me and they helped me figure out how I could support the toddlers by showing them simpler finger movements to use.  As for what I would do differently,  I think I would review the fingerplay song with those two toddlers before the circle time so that they have a chance to practice it.   I’d like to try introducing some fingerplays that are a little simpler so that all children can participate more easily.

Taylor:  That sounds like a great idea!  We can revise your SMART goal and action plan to incorporate your new ideas.

Emma:  Let’s do it!

Taylor:  Coming back to our earlier conversation,  I’m open to getting more feedback from you about how I can work on my accountability as your coach.   I know that trust takes time and I have confidence that over time trust will be built in my reliability as your coaching partner.

Emma:  Thank you, that means a lot to me.