Monthly Musing – October

Written by Kirsty Fantini, Early Years Training & Consultancy

Welcome to October’s Monthly Musing! I hope you enjoyed September’s edition and maybe you tried the recipe or the Educator Challenge? So what does October have in store?

Educator Well-Being Challenge – Let’s Stop & Smell the Flowers!

Educators often tell me they feel incredibly time poor, stressed and not present with children or moments they have for themselves. So… for the month of October let’s just STOP and smell the flowers, STOP and be present in what you are doing, STOP, observe & and marvel at the world around you, STOP and watch the clouds, STOP and take in a sunrise or sunset!

Our lives are rushed and hectic at times so if we take even a small amount of time each and every day to STOP, observe and be grateful for the small things we tend to feel more at ease and content… better able to manage the rest of our day!

I would love to hear about what you did when you “stopped”! Please post in the comments section on Facebook.

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Provocation & Reflection Questions – Becoming a Reflective Educator

We all “reflect” in various ways such as in our children’s portfolios and documentation, daily curriculum reflections, staff meetings, staff appraisals. The National Quality Standard, Quality Area 1.2.3 states critical reflection on children’s learning and development, both as individuals and in groups, is regularly used to implement the program.

But do we often  “critically reflect?”

Critical reflection requires us to think about our practice and ideas and then it challenges us to step-back and examine our thinking by asking thought provoking questions. It asks us to not only delve into the past and look at the present but importantly it asks us to speculate about the future and act upon this.

It means that for us as educators to become critical reflectors we need too;

•  understand critical thinking- conscious, rational and empathetic way of thinking  which influences behaviour
•  be aware of self and self-reflect
•  ask ourselves “why”
•  ask ourselves “what did I do well and why?  / what do I need to do next time?”
•  communicate and share ideas and thoughts with others
• Develop deeper theoretical understanding of children’s development and learning
• understand that critical reflection can occur in many different ways such as visual boards, provocation questions, team meetings, video reflections, gratitude jars and more

As reflective educators we need to think deeper, reflect on past, present and future, think about behaviour, attitude and action and this will lead you to become a more enriched and authentic educator, and in turn providing more meaningful learning outcomes for children.

Recipe Just for YOU – Carrot Raisen Muffins

This is a super simple recipe that can be made gluten free (as below) or with normal flour. Great for morning or afternoon snacks!

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 carrots, chopped and boiled
• 1 1/3C Buckwheat Flour (or self-raising)
• 1TB Flax or Linseeds
• 1TB Pumpkin seeds
• 1 Tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp fennel seeds
• 1/2 tsp bicarb soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• pinch salt
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 C almond, soy or cows milk
• 3 TB oil
• 2 TB currents
• 1-2 TB honey

METHOD:

• Boil carrots until tender and mash them with the honey
• add and mix all other ingredients in a bowl, add carrots
• place in lined muffin tray
• bake on 180 degrees for 15min & check
• Enjoy warm with a dollop of butter!

PD Specials for you!

Book into the following PD session and state “MONTHLYMUSING20” on your webinar booking form or email and receive a huge 20% OFF the price!

Researchers & Scientists – Co-constructing learning with children – 17th October @ 6.30pm AEST

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Thank you for reading Monthly Musings. I hope you have enjoyed the October edition! I wish you an amazing month and love to hear about your Educator well-being challenge, if you tried the recipe or provocation. For ideas and feedback please feel free to email me – kirsty@earlyyearstraining.com.au or comment on the Facebook post

Kind regards, Kirsty

Early Years Training & Consultancy – RTO 91839  https://earlyyearstraining.com.au