How does Everyday Interactions Matter work as a professional learning experience?  

 
 

As a strengths-based approach, Everyday Interactions Matter (EIM) focuses on what educators already do well during their daily interactions with young children.

Everyday Interactions Matter looks different depending on the particular needs of each learning community. Usually, a training facilitator begins the process by guiding educators in the EIM approach. The facilitator–or another trusted person–then captures a video of ordinary interactions in the early learning setting. The videographer’s intent is to highlight each educator’s strengths in connecting and relating with children.

Then, the site staff comes together for a learning experience to discuss and share their reflections while watching video clips of their own practice.

The Learning Experience

Discussion

Through dynamic discussion, we take a close look at what it means to interact.

Observation

Using the Simple Interactions Tool developed by Dr. Junlei Li, we can begin to notice the following elements of a positive interaction:

  • Connection: being mutually present and in tune.

  • Reciprocity: two-way “serve and return”, balancing roles of engagement.

  • Inclusion/Belonging: inviting and involving all, especially those who are the least likely or least able to engage.

  • Opportunities to Grow: scaffolding and fading.

Reflection

After watching a video clip of an adult-child interaction, we may reflect on the following questions:

  • What did we notice? Instead of saying what we “like” or “don’t like”, it helps to simply describe what we see.

  • What is our practice? Discuss the “why” and “how” of our practice in the moment. What helps the educator decide what to do and when to do it in real-time situations?

  • Share the practice. Discuss whether others engage in similar practices across different settings. What is similar and different about what we do and why we do it?

  • Re-watch the video clip. Supported by others’ perspectives, we might see new things that we ourselves have missed the first time.

Learn More

Interested in learning more? Explore our Everyday Interactions Matter professional development modules.