An example of critical reflection for early childhood educators

Summary

The speaker reflects on a critical incident in their Montessori kindergarten experience, where their play-based teaching philosophy clashed with the Montessori approach. Passionate about using puppets, songs, and creative play to engage children, the speaker faced resistance from their manager, who insisted on a more structured, object-focused method. Despite their efforts to integrate puppets and music, the manager deemed them inappropriate for children, leading to a significant philosophical conflict. This incident prompted the speaker to question their place in the environment and reaffirm their belief in the value of creative, child-led learning.

Takeaways

• 😀 Critical incidents, as described by David Tripp, are events that may initially seem typical but are rendered significant through analysis and reflection.
• 😀 The speaker had a long-standing desire to work in a Montessori environment, particularly in a Montessori kindergarten, which they achieved after having a child.
• 😀 One of the initial observations that struck the speaker was the use of the term 'work' to describe children's activities, which felt uncomfortable given their background in play-based learning.
• 😀 The speaker has a strong passion for using puppets in early childhood education, seeing them as an important tool for literacy and drama-based learning.
• 😀 The speaker has a large and growing collection of puppets, many of which are unique and personally sourced from various places, which they incorporate into storytelling.
• 😀 The speaker often uses storytelling and songs in their classroom, believing these are essential tools for engaging children and promoting early literacy.
• 😀 A critical incident occurred when the speaker's puppets were repeatedly packed away and moved by the staff, despite the children's enthusiasm to play with them.
• 😀 The speaker raised the issue with the manager, who explained that in Montessori, children are taught to care for things, and that the puppets should be treated as a lesson rather than a toy.
• 😀 The conflict escalated when the speaker was told to stop singing with the children, as the manager deemed the book 'Puff the Magic Dragon' inappropriate and felt that the activity was merely entertainment rather than education.
• 😀 This critical incident led the speaker to reflect on the philosophical clash between their own teaching approach (focused on play, creativity, and child-centered learning) and the Montessori philosophy at the kindergarten.
• 😀 The incident led the speaker to question their future at the Montessori kindergarten, ultimately contemplating a career change to find an environment more aligned with their educational values.

Q & A

What is the definition of a 'critical incident' according to David Tripp?

A critical incident, according to David Tripp, refers to an event that may seem typical at first but becomes critical when analyzed deeply. It is an incident that holds significant meaning upon reflection, often involving conflict or a clash of ideas.

Why did the speaker initially feel uncomfortable about the term 'work' used in the Montessori classroom?

The speaker felt uncomfortable because, as an early childhood educator trained in play-based learning, they were accustomed to emphasizing 'play' as the primary mode of learning, rather than 'work.' This difference in terminology raised questions for them about the Montessori approach.

What is the speaker's personal teaching philosophy regarding early childhood education?

The speaker's teaching philosophy centers around play-based learning, creativity, and the use of drama, puppetry, and emerging literacy tools. They believe in fostering children's creativity and expression, seeing play as an essential part of their development.

How does the speaker feel about using puppets in their teaching practice?

The speaker is very passionate about using puppets as a teaching tool. They have a large collection of puppets and use them to engage children in storytelling, drama, and interactive play, enhancing the children's learning experiences.

What happened when the speaker brought their puppets into the Montessori classroom?

Initially, the children were fascinated by the puppets and played with them outside in a cubby house. However, the speaker later found their puppets packed away on top of a cupboard, and when they inquired about it, the Montessori manager explained that the children had not been taught how to properly care for the puppets.

What was the Montessori manager's reasoning for packing away the puppets?

The Montessori manager explained that the children had 'messed up' the puppets and that, in the Montessori approach, children should be taught how to care for materials properly. This did not align with the speaker's view that children should be allowed to explore and interact freely with the puppets.

How did the speaker respond when the manager instructed them not to sing a song with the children?

The speaker was confused and upset when the manager interrupted their group time and told them not to sing 'Puff the Magic Dragon' with the children. The manager claimed the song was not appropriate for children and accused the speaker of entertaining the children rather than teaching them.

What was the underlying conflict between the speaker and the Montessori manager?

The conflict stemmed from a fundamental difference in educational philosophies. The speaker believed in the importance of creative expression, play, and songs in early childhood education, while the Montessori manager prioritized structure, discipline, and specific Montessori principles, viewing certain activities like singing as entertainment rather than educational.

What did the speaker ultimately reflect on after the incident?

The speaker reflected on the mismatch between their pedagogical beliefs and the practices of the Montessori environment. They considered whether the Montessori school was the right place for them, ultimately deciding to leave and seek a better fit that aligned with their educational values.

What is the significance of the critical incident described in the script?

The critical incident highlights a moment of professional conflict and self-reflection. It brought to light the differences between the speaker’s child-centered, creative approach and the more structured, discipline-focused Montessori method, ultimately forcing the speaker to reevaluate their teaching philosophy and career path.