Bringing you the latest news, links and resources ...

Welcome to another huge issue of ECA WebWatch! This edition contains details of Early Childhood Australia's advocacy work, and offers concrete ways that you can support children's development and help create a sustainable future:

• ECA's 2007 Federal Election e-card.
• ACF's national agenda for a sustainable Australia.
• Practical ways to help children manage their emotions.
• What you should know about young children and sleep.
• Government inquiry into breastfeeding.

Plus quality-assured resources from Early Childhood Australia, dates for your diary and other important sector information.

Put your hand up for children in the 2007 election

2007 Federal Election e-card
Since its launch in the last issue of ECA WebWatch, hundreds of people have supported ECA's 2007 election agenda and sent e-cards.

We encourage others to use the site to communicate with Australia's politicians, and for everyone to forward this message to their colleagues.

ECA advocacy

Early Childhood Australia representatives have been very busy speaking at several important events:

• National council of the Australian Parents Council.
• Teaching Australia meeting – communicating the need to articulate teaching standards for the early childhood field.
• National council of Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union (LHMU) – on the need for a long-term plan to build a quality, evidence-based children's services system in Australia.

Young children develop in an environment of relationships (PDF)
This working paper from the US National Scientific Council on the Developing Child emphasises the crucial importance of relationships in promoting children’s long-term development.

'A charter for child care' – address to LHMU
In her speech to the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union, Early Childhood Australia CEO, Pam Cahir, also discusses the importance of relationships, in developing a strategic long-term approach to children's service delivery.

Supporting a sustainable future

ACF's national agenda for a sustainable Australia
Following on from the link to ACF's consumption atlas in ECA WebWatch #36, we encourage you to read the Australian Conservation Foundation's national agenda for a sustainable Australia, outlining the 6 key points which form the basis of a greener Australia.

Helping children manage their behaviour

Working with a challenging child (PDF)
The High/Scope Foundation's curriculum works particularly well at supporting children to manage emotions and resolve their own conflicts.

Early Childhood Initiative: Sensitivity/Respect
Another helpful page from University of Wisconsin's Early Childhood Excellence Initiative, providing examples of being sensitive and respectful to infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children's emotional development.

Infants and sleep: 'Is it ok to let him cry?'
This interview with Talaris Research Institute's Danielle Kassow is important reading for all parents of infants and young children. The discussion of 'parenting myths' is equally of interest to practitioners and for use in parent newsletters.

National support for children

House of Representatives: Inquiry into breastfeeding
The Commonwealth Government's report on breastfeeding in Australia looks at why many women stop breastfeeding before their babies reach the suggested age of six months. It provides an extensive list of recommendations to federal, state and local governments.

European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (Supporting Best Practice)
As the Labor Party continues to commit to establishing a Commissioner for Children it's helpful to visit these five links from Early Childhood Australia's Supporting Best Practice web directory. They examine the success of the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children, a product of high-level policy-makers focusing on children's wellbeing.

What's on?

Visit Early Childhood Australia's online calendar to keep track of what's happening in the sector.

What Matters in Early Childhood Symposium
A conversation with leading national and international experts
29 October 2007
Southern Cross University, Goonellabah, NSW
Early Childhood Australia's CEO, Pam Cahir, will be speaking at this valuable symposium on the key issues in early childhood care and education. Not to be missed!

Every Child Matters 2008 Conference
14–15 May 2008
Melbourne Park Function Centre, Olympic Park
The inaugural national conference on children and young people with a disability will focus on promoting the voice and wellbeing of individuals and families.
Read the call for papers (PDF) – closes 26 October 2007

Online speech pathology research project
A 10–15-minute anonymous online survey for clients, parents, carers, relatives or anyone affected by speech therapy services. The survey asks questions about what clients liked, didn't like and what they think could improve services.

New quality-assured books

Everyday learning about confidence and coping skills contains practical advice and knowledge about what parents and carers can do to help children develop resilience and life-coping skills.

Greening services: Practical sustainability is a guide for everyone who wants to empower children and invest in their future. It contains simple, easy-to-follow instructions for sustainable actions which include everyone in your community.

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 38, October 2007. © Early Childhood Australia.