Finding the Words, Finding the Ways, developed by the California Center for Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health at the WestEd Center for Prevention and Early Intervention, is designed for professionals responsible for the support, professional development, and oversight of those who work with infants, young children, and their families.

Professional groups and organizations have widely promoted and described the Reflective Supervision Model; however, capturing the essence of this proven practice on the written page has been difficult. This DVD and manual is a response to a widely expressed need to see and hear effective reflective supervision in action.

The unscripted vignettes feature experienced supervisors and practitioners drawn from a variety of infant and early childhood programs. Through improvisation, the participants demonstrate typical supervisory processes, dynamics, and concerns.

Each vignette contains:

  • A brief “back story”
  • The supervisory session
  • The supervisor’s reflection
  • The supervisee’s reflection
  • The supervisory dilemma
  • Turning points in the supervision
  • Supervisory skills and strategies
  • Themes

An accompanying manual provides an overview of supervision strategies, plus ideas for using the DVD in training settings and as part of professional development activities.