For:
intensity:
Introductory 6-session program
Anyone working with children prenatal to five years of age and their families
A more intensive program with both virtual sessions as well as a transformational in-person retreat.
Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) working with children prenatal to five years of age and their families
intensity:
For:
Reflective Practice
Join us in creating and participating in reflective practice spaces where equity, healing, and liberation is at the forefront and center for those working with young children prenatal to five years of age and their families. Choose the program that is right for you:
What is reflective practice?
Reflective practice, also known as Reflective Supervision or Reflective Consultation, is a core component of the field of infant -family and early childhood mental health (IFECMH), which is sometimes referred to as social and emotional health.
​Reflective practice, at its core, is about pausing to examine our experiences in ways that allow for growth and learning to better serve families. Not having the time and ability to pause, question, and reflect is what allows the status quo to continue. Inequities in policies and practices are hard-baked in professional cultures that refuse to slow down and build critical consciousness about the broader conditions that maintain disparities in outcomes for children and families through the generations. ​​
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Reflective Practice provides space to:
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deepen understanding of our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, motivations, and intentions in our work
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shift us toward curiosity and compassion rather than assumption and judgment about the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of babies, their caregivers, and others who work alongside us
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explore the impact of systemic inequities, implicit biases, privilege, social justice, and generational trauma on our families and ourselves and the intersection with the families we support
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examine internalized oppression and work toward healing and liberation
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To help illustrate the powerful potential of reflective practice, you can read through this story about Amelia. How does the challenges she face as a BIPOC practitioner resonate with you, even if you do not work in the same role or area?
Story source: Noroña et al., (2023)
Why is reflective practice important?
WHY Our ProgramS
Our programs move beyond reflective practice towards revolutionary reflective practice, shifting the focus from the individual to the collective. Whether you are looking for a space to begin/refresh reflective practice or a space created for and by Black, Indigenous, and persons of color (BIPOC), we seek to support you wherever you may be at in your journey. Our team is committed to centering and uplifting the voices of BIPOC practitioners, children, and families. As such, these learning communities are reimagined to be more inclusive spaces where belonging, intergenerational wisdom, story sharing, and cultural humility are centered. Just as young children learn best in the context of a safe and nurturing environment, we too hold relationships as both a value and a foundation to deepen learning about infant and early childhood mental health in a way that celebrates the humanity of one another and those we serve.
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"I hope to be able to provide that safe space to the families I work with in the same way this group provided a safe space for me. I hope to also build more of a community with the families I work with so that they know they are not alone in this and that together we can work towards progress."
- Participants from previous cohorts
"BIPOC practitioners need spaces that focus on their self-care.. so that they can continue to serve their communities without burning out."
CONNECT WITH US
We would love to connect with anyone who wants to do equity-centered professional development or revolutionary reflective practice work locally. We are all needed in this work. Whether you are a provider who needs these spaces in order to reclaim your power, practice hope, and engage in healing to support children and families, or an ally thinking about what you can do to create equity-centered spaces where all of us can work together and move forward, or perhaps a leader or funder who can help us continue this work or grow it into your community, connect with us!
Contact Us
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. You can use this form or email us at:
Monica Mathur-Kalluri, Project Director
WestEd | Early Learning, Health, and Human Development Division
