The Role of Pedagogical Leadership in Supporting Children’s Learning and Development

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Pedagogical leadership is a form of leadership that focuses on the quality of teaching and learning in early childhood education (ECE). Pedagogical leadership views leadership as something separate from formal authority or qualifications, seeing educators’ understanding, interpretation and passion as the key lever for continuous improvement in ECE. Pedagogical leadership involves creating and sustaining a shared vision, fostering a culture of inquiry and reflection, collaborating with families and communities, and supporting educators’ professional growth and development.

Pedagogical leadership plays a vital role in supporting children’s learning and development in ECE, as it influences the curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and environment that shape children’s experiences and outcomes.

Some of the ways that pedagogical leadership supports children’s learning and development are:

• Ensures that the curriculum is responsive to children’s cultures, interests, strengths, needs; and that it reflects the principles and goals of the national framework (such as Te Whāriki in New Zealand).
• Promotes pedagogical practices that are based on current research and evidence, and that are aligned with children’s developmental stages and learning dispositions.
• Encourages assessment practices that are authentic, holistic, formative and collaborative; and that involve children, families and educators in documenting and celebrating children’s learning journeys.
• Creates a stimulating and inviting learning environment that offers a variety of materials, resources, and experiences that spark children’s curiosity, creativity and critical thinking.
• Builds strong relationships with children, families, and communities and values their diverse perspectives, knowledge, and contributions to children’s learning.
• Supports educators’ professional growth and development by providing opportunities for mentoring, coaching, feedback, reflection, dialogue, collaboration and ongoing learning.

By engaging in pedagogical leadership, ECE leaders and educators can enhance their own professional identity and practice, as well as the quality of ECE provision. Pedagogical leadership can also benefit children’s learning and development by providing them with rich and meaningful learning opportunities that foster their wellbeing, belonging, exploration, communication, and contribution. Pedagogical leadership is a skill set that can enrich the lives of ECE leaders, educators, children, families and communities.

© Gaynor Clarke, 2023

References:

• Pedagogical Leadership in Early Childhood Education – Google Books. https://books.google.com/books/about/Pedagogical_Leadership_in_Early_Childhoo.html?id=q3JsEAAAQBAJ.
• What is the Role of Leadership in Early Childhood Education?. https://www.uagc.edu/blog/what-is-role-of-leadership-in-early-childhood-education.
• Pedagogical Leadership – Education – Oxford Bibliographies. https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/abstract/document/obo-9780199756810/obo-9780199756810-0286.xml.
• The limited research on pedagogical leadership in early childhood education. https://theeducationhub.org.nz/the-limited-research-on-pedagogical-leadership-in-ece/.
• Teachers’ pedagogical leadership in early childhood education. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00131881.2022.2147855.

Gaynor Clarke

B.Ed (Teaching), Cert Tertiary Teaching, PGDip Ed, MEd Leadership

Reach. Teach. Lead.

Reach Education Ltd

Teacher Leadership Mentoring and Life Coaching.  Personal and Professional Development.

Gaynor is a teacher educator and mentor facilitating personal & professional leadership wellbeing outcomes for teachers.

About me

If you are an early childhood teacher or leader looking to enhance your leadership skills, I would love to work with you. As a leadership mentor and coach, I specialize in helping early childhood educators develop their leadership potential and make a positive impact for the ākonga they serve. If you are interested in learning more about my leadership mentoring services, please visit my website or contact me directly to schedule a consultation. I would love to work with you!