Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Clinical Consultation Manager
We explore real life experiences in a mindful and introspective manner so that we can learn from them. Essentially, it’s all about being present and aware.
While it may be as simple as that, reflective practice invites their teachers to dig a bit deeper. During regular meetings with their Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant (IECMHC), staff discuss their reflections and observations, each child’s unique history and personality, and input the teacher has received from parents.
By seeking more than a quick explanation, they’re able to determine that each child has very different reasons for choosing similar behavior. One child, a recent immigrant, is unsure about the unfamiliar food placed in front of him. The other child’s parents have recently added a new baby to their family, and she is struggling in all parts of her daily routine to assert control wherever possible.
By implementing reflective practice, these early childhood professionals can meet the needs of both children in a tailored manner.
This same approach can be used in clinicians’ offices, family courtrooms, childcare centers, preschools and even a family’s own home. That’s why we developed a daily checklist to make it part of each early childhood professional’s routine.
Support families. This can be in big ways, like by advocating for policies that support families’ economic security or mental health. It can also be in small ways, like initiating a conversation using reflective practice during a routine home visit.
Get trained. By implementing reflective practice in early childhood organizations from the very top and across all levels of providers, practitioners, policymakers and parents who work with early childhood (i.e. child welfare, pediatric primary care, mental health, home visiting, maternal child health and early intervention), the early childhood field will build a culture driven by thoughtful and individualized approaches.
Support legislation. Reflective practice takes training, resources, and time. Unfortunately, those things are often some of the most difficult for professionals to access. Advocating for policies that support the early childhood workforce can help.
Reflective practice encourages being fully present in each interaction and building self and other awareness. The benefits are numerous, but it takes a team effort.
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