Wise practice : the need to move beyond best practice in early childhood settings

Best practice' implies that there is a readily identifiable set of standards that act as performance indicators and set a benchmark when determining quality. Given recent interest in work being undertaken with young children in the programs at Reggio Emilia and Stockholm it is timely that early childhood educators move beyond 'best practice' and explore the concept of 'wise' practice. The basic premise for a move is that 'wise' practices are always contextually located and enacted by knowledgable, thoughtful, and sensitive professionals who are attuned to each child's emotional wellbeing.