The Role of Reflection in the PYP by Jenna Vislisel

At Matoska, reflection is not just something students do at the end of a unit - it’s woven throughout the learning process. Reflection helps children pause, look back on their experiences, and think about what they have learned, how they learned it, and what they might do differently next time.

In the Primary Years Programme (PYP), reflection encourages students to:

• Recognize their strengths and challenges.
  
  

• Consider different perspectives.
  
  

• Set goals for future growth.
  
  

• Make connections between their learning and their lives beyond the classroom.

This practice builds critical lifelong skills. When children reflect, they develop greater self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to take ownership of their learning.

How you can support reflection at home:

• Bedtime reflections: Ask your child, “What is one thing you’re proud of today?” and “What is one thing you would do differently tomorrow?”
  
  

• Family journaling: Keep a simple notebook where everyone in the family writes or draws a quick reflection once a week.
  
  

• Shared conversations: During dinner or on the way home from school, invite your child to share not just what they learned, but how they learned it.
  
  

• Goal-setting moments: Work with your child to set a small personal goal (academic, social, or home-related) and revisit it together after a week.

By making reflection a habit at home, you’re reinforcing one of the most powerful tools our students have for growth as learners and as individuals.