The privilege of working with our youngest citizens. The engine room of any organisation is the most important and influential. This is where the key driving force for ongoing propulsion happens. Everything moves forward when this room is in full operational mode. Working in the infant toddler environment in a long day care setting is […]
Category Archives: Early Learning Matters
Why Is It Important to Make Children’s Thinking Visible?
If we see learning as a consequence of thinking, then it is paramount that children have the opportunity and are supported to explore their ideas and thinking during the learning experience. This allows children to then understand their own thinking process. Meaningful learning takes place when children are fully engaged in the ideas of the […]
Early Learning Matters Every Day, But It’s Critically Important Right Now
Early Learning Matters Week reminds us of the critical importance of high-quality early childhood education and care. As the week comes to a close, it is a timely reminder to consider the significance of current policy interest in the early years and, while early learning matters every day – it is critical right now. It’s […]
The key reasons why early learning matters
Early Learning Matters Week is a vital opportunity to celebrate the importance of early learning and the work that early childhood educators do. Universal access to high-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) benefits all young children, but it particularly benefits those at risk of poor education achievement. More than 90% of brain development occurs […]
Dear Prime Minister: Raising the child’s voice in early childhood education and care
When the educators at C&K Salisbury Community Kindergarten set themselves a challenge at the start of 2022 to explore Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) through play, it led to the inspiring culmination of the children writing to the Prime Minister about climate action. Article 12 of the UNCRC […]
‘Don’t miss out on the exciting future we are creating’: Get involved with Early Learning Matters Week
Early childhood educators, parents, carers and community leaders will gather at services around the country from 17–21 October 2022 to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of early learning and the difference the profession makes. Early Learning Matters Week is a chance to showcase how high-quality, play-based education and care supports young children to […]
Does early learning matter enough in Australia?
Does early learning matter enough in Australia? Well, it definitely matters for children who thrive when they can learn through play. It matters to families who value the benefits for their children, as well as it because it enables them to work. It matters for our amazing early childhood educators, who’ve been at the frontline […]
Early learning matters for babies, but what do they even do?
‘Early learning matters for babies because babies are learning All. The. Time.’ DR. ANDI SALAMON highlights the importance of early education for babies and the complexities behind it. I recently sat down in a room with seven babies in it. I was unfamiliar to these babies. Five out of the seven stared at me for about five […]
‘Early Learning Matters’ in the time of a pandemic
This blog was originally published in 2020 in the lead-up to Early Learning Matters Week, however, it is still a timely piece to think about what early learning means for children who are experiencing the hardships, disruptions and possible opportunities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of you who are raising or working with children […]