Essentials of Practice-Based Coaching

Supporting Effective Practices in Early Childhood

Authors: Patricia Snyder Ph.D., Mary Louise Hemmeter Ph.D., Lise K. Fox Ph.D.

This book—created by the respected developers of the Practice-Based Coaching (PBC) framework—is the first to offer a comprehensive introduction to this popular coaching approach and practical guidance on how to implement it with fidelity. Ideal for use in professional development, this research‐to‐practice resource gives readers a complete guide to implementing its three key components: shared goals and action planning, focused observation, and reflection and feedback.

Widely adopted across the U.S. and around the world, Practice-Based Coaching (PBC) is a research‐based coaching framework for supporting early childhood practitioners' use of evidence‐informed teaching practices. This essential guide will help programs and coaches prepare every early childhood practitioner to master today's recommended practices—and nurture the learning and healthy development of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

LEARN HOW TO:

• Develop collaborative partnerships between coach and coachee
• Write effective goals and action plans
• Put five essential coaching strategies into practice
• Conduct practice‐focused strengths and needs assessments
• Observe the coachee's practices and collect data about coaching efforts and effects
• Make data‐based decisions
• Give supportive and constructive feedback
• Employ web‐based platforms and coaching apps to support PBC

WHY PBC?

• Meets the Head Start Performance Standards' definition of a research‐based, coordinated coaching strategy, which all programs are required to use.
• Supports the Pyramid Model: PBC is recognized as an effective professional development approach for implementing the social, emotional, and behavioral practices of the popular Pyramid Model.
• Practice-ready: PBC is a practice‐ready coaching framework that has been used with a variety of effective early childhood practices.
• Proven effective: PBC is supported by evidence that it changes or enhances practices and has related effects on child and family outcomes.

Reviews

GG Weisenfeld, Teacher College Record - August 1, 2022
"[The book] could easily be used in early childhood leadership courses or to guide PD workshops for school leaders or early childhood center directors. Each chapter could be a standalone conversation about understanding the research behind PBC, designing a PD system that integrates PBC, techniques for developing collaborative partnerships, or building out a coaching system."

Douglas Powell, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University - December 9, 2021
"The field of early education and care has long faced the challenge of ensuring practitioners engage in practices that lead to children’s positive outcomes. The Essentials of Evidence-Based Coaching offers a thorough description of effective supports for promoting best practices with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The coaching model is compelling, and the case examples and implementation resources are especially rich."

Extended case stories

• Action Plan template
• Action Plan Fidelity Checklist
• Coaching Strategies Quick Reference Guide
• Practice-Based Coaching Log
• Data Collection forms
• Tip sheets
• Checklist for Evaluating Effective Practices for PBC
• Look-Think-Act Discussion Guide

This book provides a roadmap for anyone considering coaching and should be used by all educational teams in planning and implementing their professional development programs.