Reflection generally means reflecting on an experience, usually a bad experience, that forces the practitioner to stop and evaluate the best way forward. Leeson (2010) suggests that practitioners “feel” their work rather than simply observing it. This can challenge practice and knowledge and hopefully lead to greater understanding. However, reflection requires the practitioner to question their own professional practice and as such, this self-knowledge is not an easy option. As Crowley (2009: 4) puts it, practitioner research might well: "study the requirements of particular reform programs, although these reforms may focus on what works, rather than considering the professional learning required to understand difficult questions. In these situations, reflection is a useful tool so that complexities are considered repeatedly. Reflection can sometimes focus on the practice of others. The practices of colleagues and other staff who produced good results are worth pondering to discover what they did or said to create such a good effect. Reflection on practice may involve an evaluation of interactions with children. The perceptions of the child that the practitioner has already formed may well influence these interactions. Through reflection, this type of influence on practice can be explored. Additionally, the researcher brings personal and informal perspectives and theories to the research (McNamara, 2002). Practitioner research can be defined as a tool for bringing about change. As Dadds (2011: 2) suggests: “We are not trying to change the whole world together. Rather, we seek to improve the part over which we have some control and responsibility. In doing so, we are, in some sense, impacting the world as a whole. This shift has... middle of article ...... and Flood, JT (2012) Using qualitative research to bridge research, policy and practice. The College of Human Education and Ecology, 51:137-144.Shulman, LS (2004) The Wisdom of Practice: Essays on Teaching, Learning, and Learning to Teach. San Francisco: Jossey Bass. Stenhouse, L. (1975) An introduction to research and program development. London, Heinemann.Stern, J. (2011) Value and virtue in practice-based research. Presented at the Value and Virtue in Practice Research Conference, York ST John University, York. Wenger, E. (2010) Communities of practice and social learning systems: the career of a concept. Springer Verlas and the Open University 7, 2:224-246.