Bringing you the best of the web…

This issue of ECA WebWatch contains another great collection of links exploring a range of important early childhood issues.

• Activities to increase cultural inclusion.
• Clear advice on play-based learning.
• Practices that lead to the best literacy outcomes.
• A free opportunity to list your Under Eights Week event.

Plus all the latest Early Childhood Australia news and books.

Creating culturally responsive environments

Diversity and difference (Supporting Best Practice)
These four links from Early Childhood Australia's Supporting Best Practice web directory provide invaluable advice on understanding children's diverse backgrounds.

Enhancing cultural competence in out-of-school time programs: What is it, and why is it important? (PDF)
Although written for outside-school-hours care workers, this article on cultural understanding is relevant to all people working with young children in services and schools.

The importance of play-based learning

Let the children play: Nature's answer to early learning
This webpage provides excellent advice and activities for educators, carers and parents to facilitate learning through play.

The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent–child bonds (PDF)
This document is long, but well worth reading for its detailed examination of play-based learning. It discusses the factors that are threatening its vital role in childhood development and suggests solutions.

Herald Sun: Tot schools' dubious nurturing claims (26 Feb 2007)
When read in relation to the above two links, this news article provides a thoughtful warning about the harmful affects of early childhood environments which emphasise 'outcomes' over play-based learning.

Examining best education practices

Early development and education: Best trends and practices
This is a broad overview of practices that lead to the best outcomes for children, including lots of evidence-based advice.
View their section on developing and supporting literacy-rich environments for children.

Under Eights Week 2007: Making a Splash
18–25 May

This year's Under Eights Week is fast approaching – add your event to the Under Eights Week webpage.

Under Eights Week is organised annually by the Early Childhood Australia Queensland Branch to support schools, kindergartens, childcare centres, family day care schemes, libraries, councils and other organisations across Queensland to create fun and informative events for children and parents.

Register your event now.

Early childhood news

Read the latest on the Early Childhood Australia news page.

New child development items:

• Queensland child-friendly community program receives million-dollar grant
• Australia's work patterns threaten family wellbeing
• American Psychological Association report on the sexualisation of girls
• Early child research: The impact of infant weight gain
• Child Protection Australia: Increase in child abuse cases

New group targeting high cost of child care

Taskforce on Care Costs
The Taskforce on Care Costs was established to investigate and promote a better understanding of the cost of care and how it affects workforce participation.

Early Childhood Australia books

The best early childhood resources, all quality assured by Early Childhood Australia.

Diversity and difference: Lighting the spirit of identity raises areas in which all early childhood practitioners can have a positive influence, if they seek to embrace values that encompass cultural inclusion and social justice.

Young children: Thinking about the scientific world explores the importance of play-based learning using practical activities, incorporating children's questions into planning and understanding a range of different approaches to teaching and learning.

View the ECA book catalogue online.

Let us know what you think!
We welcome any suggestions or commentsyou have: webwatch@earlychildhood.org.au

Past issues of ECA WebWatch are available on the EarlyChildhood Australia website.

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ECAWebWatch - Issue 24, March 2007. © Early ChildhoodAustralia.