QUESTION 1.

Collaboration can make or break a workplace. The next reflection questions will have you explore this topic more deeply.

Benchmark Criteria

Critically reflect on communication and collaboration skills in the workplace, to build strong and respectful relationships, a culture of collaboration and contribution, and support ongoing improvement.

Questions 1 - 4

How collaborative is the culture in the service, from your experience so far? Describe your personal assessment of it.

For example:

• Think about spontaneous sharing of ideas between colleagues;
• Formal opportunities to contribute ideas and discuss innovation and change;
• People's general manner - is it warm, supportive and encouraging?
• Do people take time to listen actively to each other?
• Are there avenues for the wider community and families to contribute and collaborate?

QUESTION 2.

Describe how collaborative you have been in the service this week. Describe activities in which you have collaborated.

Benchmark Criteria

Critically reflect on communication and collaboration skills in the workplace, to build strong and respectful relationships, a culture of collaboration and contribution, and support ongoing improvement.

Questions 1 - 4

For example:

• How much have you offered ideas?
• Shared your thoughts?
• Contributed to discussions?
• Listened to the ideas and recommendations of others?
• Offered help to be of service if you've seen someone else in need of support?

There is no right answer here, simply be curious about how you were.)

QUESTION 3.

Are there any areas of your communication skills that make it challenging for you to contribute and collaborate? Write down areas you'd like to feel more confident in or improve. (Remember, you can refer to your e-learns for developing these skills.)

Benchmark Criteria

Critically reflect on communication and collaboration skills in the workplace, to build strong and respectful relationships, a culture of collaboration and contribution, and support ongoing improvement.

Questions 1 - 4

For example:

• Language or learning barriers;
• Questioning skills - not knowing how to ask the question or fearing someone may misunderstand your intent;
• Responding skills - not knowing how to be comfortable with others and respond in a way that builds empathy and connection;
• Conflict resolution skills - being fearful of people becoming agitated, anxious or angry or feeling misunderstood?

QUESTION 4.

Of the skills you've just highlighted you'd like to improve, is there anyone in the service that you have noticed who seems to find that particular skill easy? Write down what the skill is and what you've noticed about how they do the particular communication skill you've identified.

HINT: To deepen your learning further, make a note in your planner to pay attention to this person, when next you can, demonstrating their communication skills. (What we give attention to grows! Simply putting your observer's hat on and being curious will help you to learn this skill more quickly.)

Benchmark Criteria

Critically reflect on communication and collaboration skills in the workplace, to build strong and respectful relationships, a culture of collaboration and contribution, and support ongoing improvement.

Questions 1 - 4

How collaborative is the culture in the service, from your experience so far? Describe your personal assessment of it.

QUESTION 5.

Reflective practice - learning from others

Having spent some time observing, reflect on the service's reflective practice. How do educators in your service currently reflect on their personal practice?

Benchmark Criteria

Review and evaluate current reflective practice in the workplace and develop a personal approach to reflective practice. Identify appropriate resources and supports that enhance reflective practice.

Questions 1 - 5

QUESTION 6.

Which method/s for personal reflection do you plan to try over the coming weeks? Describe what and how you will use at least one (1).

Benchmark Criteria

Review and evaluate current reflective practice in the workplace and develop a personal approach to reflective practice. Identify appropriate resources and supports that enhance reflective practice.

Questions 1 - 5

QUESTION 7.

In what ways do the team reflect together? i.e. Do they come together to discuss systems and processes or talk about children's learning? Describe what happens or the lack thereof.

Benchmark Criteria

Review and evaluate current reflective practice in the workplace and develop a personal approach to reflective practice. Identify appropriate resources and supports that enhance reflective practice.

Questions 1 - 5

QUESTION 8.

What type of support would you like from your team to conduct reflective practice?

Benchmark Criteria

Review and evaluate current reflective practice in the workplace and develop a personal approach to reflective practice. Identify appropriate resources and supports that enhance reflective practice.

Questions 1 - 5

QUESTION 9.

From your reflection do you have any ideas to add to your Suggestions section of Placement Block 2 | AT04 -Supervisor Check-in? Add them in now.

Benchmark Criteria

Review and evaluate current reflective practice in the workplace and develop a personal approach to reflective practice. Identify appropriate resources and supports that enhance reflective practice.

Questions 1 - 5

QUSTION 10.

Turning your attention to role modelling now, of the educators and staff you have worked with so far...

Benchmark Criteria

Observe and critically reflect on the practices of educators to identify effective strategies in maintaining professional performance and development.

Question 3

a. How are they maintaining their currency in safe work practices?

b. Which of those above options do you imagine you will use personally to keep up to date with WHS safe practices?

QUESTION 11.

How have you role-modelled mindfulness for safety and wellbeing for the children you have worked with today? Please share an example of what you did.

Benchmark Criteria

Critically reflect on the impact own behaviour has had on others in the workplace from the perspective of role-modelling WHS.

Questions 4 - 5

QUESTION 12.

Who is your role-model for health and wellbeing? Name your person of inspiration and describe what of their behaviours you are trying to copy?

Benchmark Criteria

Critically reflect on the impact own behaviour has had on others in the workplace from the perspective of role-modelling WHS.

Questions 4 - 5

QUESTION 13.

Children learn quickest and most permanently through role-modelling. Reflect on today and who you have been for them...

Benchmark Criteria

Critically reflect on influence and impact as a role-model to children in promoting physical health and wellbeing.

Questions 1 - 3

List the activities that you were involved in that engaged children in active, physical play that were:

a. Spontaneous

b. Planned

QUESTION 14.

Describe how you participated in one activity of physical play with children today?

Benchmark Criteria

Critically reflect on influence and impact as a role-model to children in promoting physical health and wellbeing.

Questions 1 - 3

a. How did you get involved with them (what did you talk about, how did you start interacting)?

b. How did you engage with them to show that you were interested and supportive?

QUESTION 15.

Describe one conversation you had with a child that was an intentional learning moment of promoting physical health and wellbeing.

Benchmark Criteria

Critically reflect on influence and impact as a role-model to children in promoting physical health and wellbeing.

Questions 1 - 3

a. Share what you said and the child's responses to that.

b. What do you think the child will remember most from this conversation? Please share.

QUESTION 16.

Preparing for your feed forward

Take a few moments to consider what your strengths have been during this placement and list them.

QUESTION 17.

What were you most confronted or challenged by?

Benchmark Criteria

Critically reflect on own work performance and engage with a supervisor in identifying ongoing professional development, accessing feedback and setting professional goals.

Positively contribute to workplace development and respectful relationships.

Questions 1 - 6

QUESTION 18.

What new strategies do you now have that you didn't have prior to placement? List at least three (3).

Benchmark Criteria

Critically reflect on own work performance and engage with a supervisor in identifying ongoing professional development, accessing feedback and setting professional goals.

Positively contribute to workplace development and respectful relationships.

Questions 1 - 6

QUESTION 19.

What skills would you like to grow?

Benchmark Criteria

Critically reflect on own work performance and engage with a supervisor in identifying ongoing professional development, accessing feedback and setting professional goals.

Positively contribute to workplace development and respectful relationships.

Questions 1 - 6

QUESTION 20.

What have you genuinely admired about your supervisor over the last few weeks and what would you like to express gratitude for? Take a few moments and list key points here so that you're ready for your last Supervisor check-in.

Benchmark Criteria

Critically reflect on own work performance and engage with a supervisor in identifying ongoing professional development, accessing feedback and setting professional goals.

Positively contribute to workplace development and respectful relationships.

Questions 1 - 6

QUESTION 21.

Similarly, what have you learned to appreciate and respect about the service? Has anything in particular inspired you? Make a note here and also share this in your last Supervisor check-in.

Put your 'skills you'd like to grow' into your Placement Block 1 | AT08 Supervisor check-in and summary, ready for your meeting.

Benchmark Criteria

Critically reflect on own work performance and engage with a supervisor in identifying ongoing professional development, accessing feedback and setting professional goals.

Positively contribute to workplace development and respectful relationships.

Questions 1 - 6