Define Your Game Plan
What is the purpose of the Define step?
Partnering to define both their situations & their desired result of coaching dialogue
What does it mean to listen actively?
Giving full attention, listening without interrupting, and checking understanding.
What is one way to help an educator generate ideas?
Ask an open-ended question, brainstorm together, or invite the educator to share what has worked before.
What is the purpose of the Sum Up step?
Make time for educators to briefly summarize their learning, share insights and list their next steps.
What are the four mindsets of the Coach Approach?
Amateur
Discoverer
Environmentalist
Olympian
What question could help clarify an educator's concern?
"What part of the routine feels most challenging right now?"
Why is it important to understand the educator's perspective before offering ideas?
It helps the coach understand the context and educator's perspective before exploring solutions.
What is an open-ended question that encourages problem-solving?
"What are some things we could try to make cleanup easier for children?"
What three things could a coach summarize at the end of a conversation?
The main concern, key ideas or decisions, and agreed-upon next steps.
Which mindset recognizes the educator as the expert?
Amateur
Believe the educator is the expert in their own life, situations, and thinking.
An educator says, "Transitions are always a disaster." What could you ask to define the concern more clearly?
"Can you walk me through what happens during transitions?"
An educator says, "I've tried everything." What could you ask to explore their experience?
"What have you tried so far, and what happened?"
An educator is struggling with cleanup routines. How could you help them explore possible strategies without giving them the answer?
Ask what the educator has noticed, invite their ideas, and explore options together.
How would you summarize a conversation when the educator has identified a strategy to try?
Summarize the chosen strategy, when or how it will be tried, and what the educator wants to notice.
Which mindset is the coach moving away from?
Environmentalist
The coach is polluting the educator with their own solutions instead of allowing space for the educator to explore their own ideas.
How would you help an educator move from a broad concern to a specific area of focus?
Ask clarifying questions, identify a specific situation, and agree on a manageable focus.
How would you uncover what might be contributing to a recurring challenge without making assumptions?
Acknowledge the frustration, listen without judgment, and ask questions to understand the situation.
An educator suggests a strategy that may not fit the children's needs. How could you explore other possibilities without dismissing their idea?
Ask what the educator hopes the strategy will accomplish, consider children's individual needs, and explore alternatives together.
How would you check that the educator agrees with the summary and next steps?
Invite the educator to confirm, clarify, or adjust the summary and next steps.
Which mindset encourages curiosity and flexibility?
Discoverer
Remain curious, open, and flexible about what the coach and educator might discover together.
An educator brings several concerns to a meeting. How would you work together to identify a useful starting point?
Listen to each concern, explore which one feels most important or manageable, and agree on a shared starting point.
How would you uncover what might be contributing to a recurring challenge without making assumptions?
Ask about what happens before, during, and after the challenge. Explore patterns and context rather than assuming a cause.
An educator has tried several strategies without success. How would you guide a collaborative exploration of what to try next?
Review what has been tried, reflect on the results, consider possible barriers, and collaboratively select a manageable next step.
How would you bring a conversation to a close when the educator has many ideas but no clear next step?
Reflect the main ideas, ask the educator to choose one manageable action, and agree on how to revisit it.
How could a coach demonstrate the Olympian mindset?
Olympian
Focus entirely on the educator, recognize their hard work, offer encouragement, celebrate their successes, and treat being part of their journey as a privilege.