One of the best aspects of being a Mum is reading to my kids. As a family project, we decided to read some ‘classics’ together (well, I read to my children). The books we chose were from bygone days, timeless in their description of the human condition. To my surprise (as a now adult), I discovered […]
Child abuse, and especially child sexual abuse, concerns everyone who works with children. Over the last thirty plus years protective behaviours programs of different kinds have been developed and used to try to help protect children from this kind of abuse. These programs are usually provided in schools or early childhood services such as preschools. […]
Being a parent presents us with daily challenges, including decisions about what things to expose our children to. One of the questions I am constantly asked by parents is what should they teach their children about money, and at what age. Talking about money is no different to talking about how to keep healthy or […]
It is painfully too late when instances of young children being exploited and abused surface. ‘It’s not good enough to say you don’t understand Facebook or you can’t work out how to use an iPhone. You need to learn about what your children are using so you can guide, assist and supervise their use.’ This […]
Speech problems in early childhood are common. One in four parents of Australian children are concerned about their 4- to 5-year-old child’s speech but two-thirds of these parents don’t act on their concern. Why? What might stop them from seeking expert advice from a speech pathologist? Myth 1: Children grow out of speech problems (just […]
Good mental health is vital for learning and life. Just like physical health, it changes over time and according to different contexts. Research shows we can identify mental health problems in early childhood and being aware of and responding to early signs that may indicate a potential difficulty can make a difference. It can help ensure children […]
Several shops in my neighbourhood have blackboards on the footpath with daily messages, mostly advice. One caught my eye recently and made me wonder if the writer or selector was an early childhood educator who had decided that the hospitality industry was a better career option. The sign read ‘Just be, don’t become!’ Good advice […]
I thought I knew some things about social development. And I guess I did. But while working on the most recent KidsMatter Early Childhood webinar Social Learning: more than taking turns and making friends I discovered that there are lots of things about social learning I don’t know. And now I am curious, interested and […]
Children have imaginative ideas and individual ways of seeing the world. Conversations with children help us to see the world through their eyes. Conversations also help us to understand what children know already, and what they are exploring. As educators we try to gain insight into what children are learning so that we can provide […]
By Pauline Lysaght, University of Wollongong Who taught you to tell the time, to tie your shoelaces or to write your name? I have memories of my parents and teachers taking a hand in helping me to learn these skills as a small child. But what about more challenging tasks – who taught you to […]
