The Early Childhood Educator’s Playbook: Using Video Self-Reflection to Elevate Teaching Practice

Early childhood educators play a crucial role in shaping the learning experiences of young children, yet professional development (PD) for these teachers is often inconsistent, resource-intensive, and challenging to implement effectively. Video self-reflection is emerging as a powerful tool to help educators strengthen their practice, increase self-awareness, and improve student outcomes.

Based on insights from Dr. Cynthia DiCarlo’s research, presented in the webinar, The Impact of Video Self-Reflection in Early Childhood Education, we’ve created a playbook outlining best practices for implementing video-based coaching and self-reflection in early childhood settings.

1. Establish a Culture of Self-Reflection

Why It Matters: For video self-reflection to be effective, educators must feel comfortable analyzing their own teaching. Many teachers may initially resist watching themselves on video, focusing on personal appearance rather than instructional quality. Over time, structured self-reflection helps them shift their mindset from self-consciousness to professional growth.

Best Practices:

• Normalize video self-reflection by incorporating it into regular PD practices  
• Use rubrics or structured frameworks, like the CLASS tool, to guide reflection and focus on teaching behaviors rather than personal biases
• Encourage educators to track their progress over time to see measurable improvement  

2. Align Video Reflection With Established Teaching Frameworks

Why It Matters: A structured observation tool ensures that video reflection is meaningful and objective. Dr. DiCarlo’s study used the CLASS framework, which evaluates teacher-child interactions, helping educators identify specific areas for growth.  

Best Practices:  

• Choose a validated tool, such as CLASS or another rubric, to standardize observations  
• Ensure teachers understand how the framework translates into their daily teaching
• Pair self-reflection with feedback from trained mentors or coaches for deeper insights  

3. Provide Dedicated Time for Reflection & Growth

Why It Matters: One of the biggest barriers to effective self-reflection is lack of time. If educators aren’t given structured, uninterrupted time to review and analyze their videos, the process becomes an afterthought rather than a valuable learning experience.  

Best Practices:

• Schedule dedicated reflection time within the school day—don’t expect teachers to do it on their own time
• Plan for a realistic, distraction-free time slot, such as during nap time or designated professional learning blocks  
• Ensure administrators support this process by making it a priority in the school schedule

4. Foster Peer-to-Peer Collaboration 

Why It Matters: Self-reflection is powerful, but peer collaboration enhances its impact. Teachers learn best when they can discuss their observations with colleagues who understand their daily challenges. In Dr. DiCarlo’s study, teachers who initially resisted video reflection became advocates, sharing their insights and videos with one another to improve their practice.  

Best Practices:

• Encourage teachers to share their videos with trusted colleagues for feedback
• Create professional learning communities (PLCs) where educators can discuss insights from their reflections
• Use collaborative reflection to build a shared language of best practices across classrooms

5. Balance Self-Reflection with Expert Feedback

Why It Matters: While self-reflection is valuable, pairing it with expert coaching accelerates growth. Initially, teachers may overestimate their performance, but feedback from trained observers helps them refine their skills and gain a more accurate understanding of their teaching.  

Best Practices:

• Provide expert feedback alongside self-reflection to validate and deepen insights  
• Use a coaching model where trained mentors offer specific, actionable recommendations  
• Deliver feedback in a constructive way—focus on alignment with best practices rather than personal critique  

Investing in Meaningful Teacher Development

Video self-reflection isn’t just about reviewing footage—it’s a structured, research-backed approach to improving teaching effectiveness. When implemented with clear frameworks, dedicated time, and expert feedback, it helps early childhood educators refine their practice, enhance their confidence, and ultimately improve learning outcomes for young children.  

By following these best practices, school leaders and instructional coaches can build a culture of reflection and continuous improvement, ensuring that teachers feel supported, valued, and empowered in their professional growth.