Holding Onto What Works: The Practices Worth Keeping

Over the past month I’ve had the privilege of spending time back in teaching spaces, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. The work has been varied, interesting, and incredibly rewarding. I’ve been teaching children, working alongside teachers, mentoring colleagues, and learning along the way.

What has stood out to me most during this time is how much there still is to discover in teaching — new strategies, fresh perspectives, challenges that stretch our thinking, and opportunities to refine our craft. But equally important has been the rediscovery of something else: the proven practices that should never be lost.

In education, particularly within early childhood, there is often a strong focus on what’s new, what’s changing, and what the next approach might be. While innovation absolutely has its place, we must also remember that many teaching practices have stood the test of time for a reason.

These are the strategies that have stayed the mile — the ones that have proven themselves worthy again and again in real teaching environments with real children.

Every teacher has them.

The practices that sit comfortably in your kete, toolbox, or portfolio — whatever you choose to call it. They are your core practices. Your professional anchors. The beliefs and strategies that guide your teaching.

These might include:

• The way you build strong relationships with children and whānau

• How you listen deeply and respond to children’s cues

• The strategies you use to support learning through play

• The boundaries and expectations you set that create safe, respectful environments

• The reflective habits that keep you growing as a teacher

These practices matter.

They are worth keeping, revisiting, refining, and strengthening over time. They are not outdated simply because they are familiar. In fact, they are often the very foundations of great teaching.

Use them well.Use them intentionally.Use them for good.

Use them to help our children be better, know better, learn better, grow better, and develop better.

Another important reflection for me over the past month has been the reminder of just how much the landscape of early childhood education continues to evolve. Teachers have had to pivot in many ways — adapting their teaching approaches, introducing new strategies, and responding to the changing needs of children, families, and communities.

And yet, through all of this change, one thing has remained constant: the incredible capability of teachers.

Early childhood educators continue to demonstrate remarkable adaptability. They are open, responsive, thoughtful, and deeply committed to the wellbeing and learning of the children in their care.

That deserves recognition.

It also reminds us of something important: we should be talking more about the practices that work.

Share them.Discuss them with your teams.Support emerging and beginning teachers by passing on what you know.Create spaces where professional dialogue can flourish.

And let’s not forget one very important group in this conversation — parents and whānau. When we share the “why” behind our teaching practices, we strengthen partnerships and deepen understanding about how children learn and develop.

Teaching is not just about innovation.It is also about honouring the wisdom of practice.

So hold onto the strategies that work. Refine them. Strengthen them. Share them.Holding Onto What Works: The Practices Worth Keeping.