Supporting children and their educators and carers, Australia-wide.
This fortnight's ECA WebWatch contains a special report on the latest developments in the Northern Territory, including responses from Early Childhood Australia, the Federal Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care.
This issue also includes helpful links on:
- understanding children's aggression
- research and best practices
- the importance of play.
Plus our usual guides to upcoming early childhood events and new quality-assured books from Early Childhood Australia.
ECA's response to NT Aboriginal child abuse intervention
Margaret Young, Early Childhood Australia's National President:
'The current focus on Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory is an issue that has been known and documented for some time.
'The safety of young children is of course paramount; but the issue cannot be fixed by short-term intervention, no matter how highly resourced. What is needed is a properly resourced, long-term and comprehensive strategy which engages Aboriginal communities across Australia in finding dignified solutions. There can be no quick fixes.'
First NT Emergency Response Taskforce meeting
The first meeting of the Northern Territory Emergency Response Taskforce with the Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs took place on 30 June. A list of the meeting's outcomes are available online.
Other news about the Federal response is available in the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs media archive.
NT update from SNAICC
This news item on Early Childhood Australia's website contains the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care's response to the Governments' actions in the NT.
Other responses to child abuse in the NT
The Children of the Sunrise
On 25 June 2007, acclaimed journalist and film-maker Jeff McMullen addressed the Australian Catholic University in Sydney about Australia's Indigenous children. The transcript of his speech is available on Early Childhood Australia's website.
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission: National Press Club Address
Tom Calma is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. Read the transcript of his address to the National Press Club on 4 July 2007.
Rights of Indigenous Australians (Supporting Best Practice)
These three links from Early Childhood Australia's acclaimed Supporting Best Practice web directory provide help for carers and educators to understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to support Indigenous children.
Related news items
Report on child abuse in NT Indigenous communities
This ECA news item includes a link to the influential Little children are sacred report and an overview of the governments' responses, including a transcript of ABC TV's Lateline interview with Federal Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough.
Australia's greatest challenge
This guest statement, written by Jeff McMullen for Early Childhood Australia's Every Child magazine, details our responsibility to care for Australia's Indigenous children.
Supporting children's play and emotional development
Biting, pushing, pulling hair: Helping children with aggression
A wonderful page for everyone who cares for children, to help them understand why children act in aggressive ways and how best to defuse these situations.
Comparing the research on best practices
It can be difficult to interpret early childhood research to discover what is considered good practice – this quick exercise provides an easy way for educators and carers to do just this.
Playing to learn is deeply rooted in research
A fascinating article which explores the importance of play in young children's learning.
Upcoming early childhood events
View Early Childhood Australia's online calendar to find out what's happening in the field!
Child Care Accreditation System (CCAS)– Public Discussion Forums
The dates for the CCAS Public Discussion Forums have been updated.
People in the childcare sector or anyone with an interest in the changes to the Australian Government's childcare quality assurance systems are invited to discuss aspects of the Child Care Accreditation System.
You do not need to register – just turn up on the day.
The proposed Child Care Accreditation System Framework and Diagram is also available online.
New quality-assured books from Early Childhood Australia
Dreaming Stories: A springboard for learning is a special book and DVD set which uses Indigenous 'stories of the land' as a unique launch pad to introduce children to a range of concepts including science, cultural diversity, emotional literacy, communication and art.
Places for childhoods: Making quality happen in the real world is the result of almost 20 years of research and experience of creating wonderful environments for children. It is a stimulating and exciting resource, especially for centre directors.
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 32, July 2007. © Early Childhood Australia.
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