Your fortnightly guide to the best online early childhood resources.
This issue of ECA WebWatch contains fantastic links and resources to support children's emotional and social development, as well as information on how to make your voice heard on several new childhood initiatives.
- Show your support for the Australian Journal of Early Childhood.
- Social and emotional development in young children.
- Practical advice on using experimental education.
- An update on implementing the Integrated Child Care Accreditation System.
- The latest early childhood news and events, including National Reconciliation Week.
All of this, plus our usual guide to the best early childhood quality-assured books.
And, before we forget: don't miss out on the massive ECA Clearance Sale!
Education research journals – banding survey
The input of education researchers and practitioners is sought to determine the quality and impact of education research journals.
We ask you all to take a moment to fill out this quick, 6-step online survey.
Researchers in SORTI, a research centre at the University of Newcastle, are working with the AARE on a project to band education journals on the basis of their quality, their accessibility to researchers, and their impact on the profession. Almost 1000 education journals have been identified across 26 areas.
Early Childhood Australia's own journal, the Australian Journal of Early Childhood, is listed under the 'early childhood education' category. Please consider AJEC when filling out the survey.
The first round of survey replies will be assessed on Friday 1 June. Please take a moment to fill out the online survey before then.
Any questions or comments about the survey should be directed to Professor Sid Bourke who is representing the SORTI research team (email: sid.bourke@newcastle.edu.au).
The social and emotional climate in children's services
The 10 dimensions of school climate (PDF)
This handy reference guide to 10 measurements of social and emotional climate is intended for schools but its content is equally valid for early childhood services.
Social skill autopsies: A strategy to promote and develop social competencies
A really helpful article detailing a supportive, structured and constructive strategy to foster social competence in all children.
Self esteem and confidence (Supporting Best Practice)
Four links from Early Childhood Australia's highly-regarded Supporting Best Practice web directory, providing numerous practical activities to help children improve their self-confidence and esteem.
Encouraging and supporting inquisitive minds
Gnome-tracking vs. the sceptics: Experiential education and the early childhood setting
This article from Early Childhood Australia's Every Child magazine provides an entertaining and practical overview of experiential education and how it can be easily incorporated into early childhood programs.
Health warning
Ingested small magnets can cause serious injury to young children (PDF)
An important product warning from the US—about the dangers of small magnets found in many children's toys.
Integrated Child Care Accreditation System – Update
Public Discussion Forums are expected to be held in the last two weeks of July 2007 (16–20 July and 23–27 July) to discuss implementing an integrated systems approach to child care.
Early Childhood Australia will circulate dates and locations as soon as they are available. It is anticipated that the presentation will be recorded and made available on DVD for dissemination to rural, remote and regional services. The redrafting of the Standards is not yet completed.
Current early childhood events
National Reconciliation Week
27 May–3 June 2007
National Reconciliation Week is devoted to renewing Australia's commitment to reconciliation, to hear about and celebrate the cultures and histories of our Indigenous people.
There are events taking place all over the country – visit the National Reconciliation Week website to find out more.
MS Readathon
June 1–30 2007
The MS Readathon encourages children to read all kinds of publications in order to raise money for research into Multiple Sclerosis.
Visit the MS Readathon website to register your school, or to find out more about the program.
Latest early childhood news
Visit Early Childhood Australia's news page to read the latest on the field.
Community Services Training Package – feedback due by 30 July
The Community Services Training Package CHC02 is currently under review. Draft 1 material is now available for stakeholder review and feedback. There is a helpful article explaining the training package (PDF) available on the CSHISC website.
Validation focus group sessions will be held in each state and territory which will allow interested stakeholders to provide face-to-face feedback. The Focus Group Session Schedule—including the venue, time and date—is available online (PDF).
Early Childhood Australia books
Massive ECA Clearance Sale
Early Childhood Australia is clearing its shelves and selling many titles at hugely discounted prices – books from less than $3 (inc. p&h)!
Sale ends 27 June 2007 or until sold out. Don't miss out on these titles – many available for the last time ever!
View the ECA Clearance Sale online or phone 1800 356 900 (freecall) for a sales brochure.
More quality-assured books
Understanding children's feelings: Emotional literacy in young children provides practical support for carers and educators to help children develop awareness and knowledge of their feelings and learn how to deal with them.
Every Child magazine is published four times a year, each issue exploring a different theme through a huge range of perspectives and practical topics. Student, service and institution subscriptions are available—as are individual copies of past issues.
Browse Early Childhood Australia's easy-to-use online catalogue.
Let us know what you think!
We welcome any suggestions or comments you have: webwatch@earlychildhood.org.au
Past issues of ECA WebWatch are available on the Early
Childhood Australia website.
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ECA WebWatch - Issue 29, May#3 2007. © Early Childhood Australia.
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