You Are the Most Important Resource in the Room
- heartleadnz
- Jul 18
- 3 min read
In the world of early childhood education, we often champion the idea of child-led learning. And rightly so — children’s voices, interests, and identities are at the heart of a responsive curriculum. But somewhere along the way, I noticed something that didn’t sit right.
In the name of being ‘child-led’, some teachers had quietly stepped back. They’d minimised their own role, thinking that being hands-off meant being respectful. That stepping in meant interrupting learning. That letting children lead meant the teacher should follow… silently.
But here's the truth: you are the most important resource in the room.
Your knowledge, your intentional decisions, your ability to notice, respond, and extend learning — that’s what turns moments into deep learning experiences. The richness of our curriculum doesn’t unfold on its own. It’s brought to life by thoughtful, curious, emotionally attuned kaiako who know how to teach on purpose.
The Problem: Document Overwhelm
As a leader and mentor, I’ve spent years walking alongside teachers — incredible teachers — who wanted to be more intentional in their practice but felt stuck. Not because they didn’t care. Not because they weren’t capable. But because they were overwhelmed.
In New Zealand’s ECE landscape, we’re fortunate to have some of the most robust and beautifully written guiding documents in the world:
But ask a teacher mid-way through a busy planning cycle, “What do the documents say about your role in this?” — and you’ll likely hear a deep sigh.
These documents do tell us — clearly and powerfully — what intentional teaching looks like. But they are scattered across hundreds of pages, in different formats, using varied language. Teachers don’t have the time to flip through them all. And when they can’t find what they’re looking for quickly, they give up — not because they’re disengaged, but because they’re human.
The Solution: A Practical Guide to Intentional Practice
That’s where the idea for the Intentional Practice Reference Guide was born.
I wanted to create something practical, concise, and powerful. A launching pad. A bridge between the guiding documents and day-to-day teaching. A resource that helps teachers:
find what they need, fast
link children’s learning with their role in it
become inspired to dive deeper into the richness of the documents on their own terms
So I sat down — with every guiding document open beside me — and began the mahi.
The result? A reference guide that organises intentional teaching strategies across key curriculum areas, drawing directly from the guiding documents that shape our profession. It speaks to real classroom moments and teaching approaches, providing a way forward that is grounded, evidence-based, and deeply aligned with our bicultural curriculum.
The Purpose: Bringing Intention Back to the Forefront
This guide is not a shortcut to avoid reading the documents — it’s an invitation to start. It’s a first step, a way in. A map. A reminder that you can be intentional in a way that’s both manageable and meaningful.
It’s for the teacher writing a learning story and wondering how to frame their role with clarity. It’s for the team leader supporting their staff through a professional growth cycle. It’s for the centre who wants to see stronger links between planning, assessment, and outcomes for tamariki.
And most of all, it’s for the kaiako who has ever questioned, “Am I doing enough?” Because when you teach with purpose, you are.
The Outcome: Confident Teachers, Meaningful Learning
When teachers reconnect with their professional role, they teach with more purpose, more clarity, and more joy. When they can access the richness of our curriculum documents without the overwhelm, they begin to see themselves as empowered professionals — not passive observers of play, but active co-creators of learning.
The Intentional Practice Reference Guide is a small tool with the potential to create big ripples. Because when teachers feel confident, children thrive. And when our planning is guided by intention, everything changes.
Let it be your spark — your reminder that you matter, and your role in children’s learning is irreplaceable.
