ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the Collaborative for Understanding the Pedagogy of Infant/toddler Development (CUPID) Competency Reflective Practice. CUPID summarizes this knowledge as: Expanded knowledge of cultural, emotional and experiential influences on parenting and the role of reflection in parenting, social support and collaborative relationships. Parenting practices and family ways of life are passed down from generation to generation. Adults bring their childhood cultural and emotional experiences with them when they become parents themselves. Home visitors can think about reflective practice in two important ways: how reflective practices shape parenting and how reflective practice informs the home visitor’s own professional work. Home visitors incorporate their knowledge about the interactions between human development and culture to inform their own understanding of how parents view and interpret their own lived experiences. Home visitors can use knowledge of parenting education and guidance as they work with parents to enhance reflective practice. Reflective practice can included as an important component of parenting education and guidance.
