Partnerships with Families and Communities Building Dynamic Relationships

In this chapter, we begin by examining the role of reflective practice in partnership work and in doing so highlight the importance of knowing yourself and who you are as person. In Chapter 7, we critically examine reflective practice and how it unfolds in partnership work. In this chapter, we introduce the notion of reflective practice and how it prepares educators to begin thinking about how to come together with families. As you commence this journey of self-reflection, you will come to understand the complexity of partnership work and the skills you might need to develop to effectively engage with difference. We then explore some of the key ideas underpinning the planning of partnership work, including the importance of communication and open and positive mindsets, as well as the idea of active engagement and development of intercultural knowledge and capabilities. Through this examination, you will come to understand the first premise of the TWINE Model of Partnership so that you can identify as well as learn how to draw on this premise of the model when planning for partnership work.