Whitney Westrope
Professional Portfolio
Engage in professional learning
6.2 Engage in professional learning and improve practice
Understand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers.
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I chose to participate in a webinar that offered insight into the science of gratitude and how combining it with the powerful influence of play enables positive change in the wellbeing of children from birth up to the age of five. The idea of gratitude and its link with play and self regulation is something that I had not given much thought to before, but now I realise its importance to young children's development and how our role as educators is to foster and nurture this link. It is also a whole school focus as outlined by the principal as it links with the schools wellbeing programme.
After viewing this webinar, I am now aware of:
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The significance and process of gratitude as a tool to support children’s learning and development
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The role of play and gratitude in developing executive functioning skills, independence and wellbeing
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Links between gratitude and developing positive neural pathways and social capacities, such as strong verbal reasoning and self-regulation skills
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The role of gratitude in developing connections to self as well as connections between educators, families and the community.
Through the Keeping Safe and Kimochi's programmes that are apart of our Health and wellbeing programmes, I some of the strategies were able to be implemented. One idea from the webinar that was introduced to our classroom was the 'Gratitude Circle'. The students were invited to say one thing they were grateful for and when possible, we referred back to these ideas when different situations arose. This simple way introduced the idea of gratitude to the Kindy students and allowed them to continue to develop a positive sense of self and exhibit this during their play.
EYLF Outcomes: 3.1.7, 3.1.10, 3.2.11
NQS Quality Areas: 2, 6 & 7
Domains: Personal, social, emotional, linguistic, moral, physical.
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One point mentioned was the notion of play and its importance to wellbeing and self esteem. When looking at the idea of gratitude, it is important to look for it, take it in and then give it back. If children can do this in simple ways that are authentic and comfortable for them, we will be able to see this through their play behaviours and positive sense of self. Play allows responses from the child as a 'whole' and starts from how they see themselves within the play.
Gratitude starts with ourselves as educators. From this foundation, we build up relationships with other educators, children and families. After these relationships have been developed and strengthened, we move on the place spaces and physical environments.
The element of 'poise' is one that I feel I need to develop more within the classroom. I need to allow the children to stand back and look at what they have created rather than just 'pack away'. This is something I will continue to work on as my teaching career progresses.