The end of the year can be a stressful time for everyone. Families and educators may be juggling work commitments, family and social events and planning for holidays. End-of-year celebrations, finalising portfolios and transition reports, staff changes and planning for the coming year all take their toll … What does this mean for our stress […]
Thinking of a gift for a young child? Trying to recommend a book for a parent or family member? Or are you simply looking to stock your early childhood shelves with picture books to help you respond to those awkward questions young children ask? Here are some of our favourites, recommended by your early childhood […]
The many gatherings of family and friends during the holiday season give parents a special chance to teach their daughters an empowering lesson: you don’t owe anyone your physical affection. “The ritual of demanding affection from children on cue is one of those tiny, everyday little lessons in which we teach children—especially girls—that they are […]
December is almost over. This can mean excitement about new beginnings approaching, but also, feelings of sadness can take us by surprise. Transitions happen every day and are best described as a period where we try to adapt to new circumstances, expectations, people, environments or routines. Using our existing knowledge and experiences, we make predictions […]
This section showcases snapshot examples of the reconciliation journey undertaken by a number of services across Australia. They are all unique, but share common embedded practice strategies that have enabled the children, families, educators and community members to work together in supporting reconciliation. The key strategies are highlighted to signpost the range and breadth of […]
Australia regularly experiences natural disasters such as cyclones, floods and bushfires, as well as increasing community violence or acts of terrorism. These distressing events can be traumatic for everyone in the community, either directly or indirectly. Sometimes, as in the case of natural disasters, there can be some preparation, both physical and psychological. Being psychologically […]
The international research is clear. Stimulating and positive environments early in life provide optimal foundations for children’s ongoing development into adulthood. This in turn makes a difference to the productivity of society at large. Communities are important environments in which young children grow and develop. There is limited research, however, on how communities can best […]
Children’s lives are enriched by literature. Picture books support children’s understanding of the thoughts, feelings and motivations of other people, and teach them new facts about their world, which plays an important role in their linguistic, social, emotional and intellectual development. Educators and parents/carers support children’s learning by engaging in rich and interesting book-focused conversations […]
As more and more early childhood services understand the need for young children to engage with nature and natural environments, many services are introducing ‘mud play’ to their curriculum. We only need to watch children after a heavy shower of rain to see their delight in the puddle on the grass where ‘mud making’ often […]
Drowning is almost always a deceptively quiet event. The waving, splashing, and yelling that dramatic conditioning (television and cinema) prepares us to look for, is rarely seen in real life. This blog explains why those nearby often miss vital signs that a child or adult is drowning within reach. Read on for more information on Royal […]
