Coaching Lenses

Lenses are frames of reference that address larger systemic issues. Using the lenses to step back and view your work with and relationships through these frames of reference helps to ensure greater growth and development for both professionals and the children in their care. Within Early Childhood coaching, the lenses focus coaches on their analysis, evaluation, and creative use of the domains, competencies, and indicators. When coaches overlay lens considerations on their practice, they move from the basic levels of remembering, understanding, and applying, to the innovative levels of analyzing, evaluating, and creating change through reflective practice. The three lenses are systems, data, and equity.

An early childhood coach uses the systems lens to recognize the pieces, the whole, and the complex interactions among diverse networks -- all of which influence outcomes for their coach partner, children, and families. Eg: Parent child interactions, family systems, child care system, state legislative policy and mandates. 

An early childhood coach uses the data lens to introduce and analyze many sources and types of information. The coach and coach partner make decisions in the best interest of the child or children based on their analysis of data. Eg: direct observations, video-tape reviews, journal reflections, and other tools and procedures.