Keeping you up to date on early childhood.
Our first issue of ECA WebWatch for 2008 is a huge one.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of Early Childhood Australia. To celebrate, over the next few issues we will be taking a look back at some of our successful highlights for 2007.
We begin, however, with essential reading on what needs to be done if Australia's new government is to make real change in the early childhood sector.
Also in this issue:
- Why talking with children matters.
- Help build the advocacy chain.
- Links and resources on starting school.
You'll also find our regular features, including the latest conferences, important dates and books.
ECA National Conference – call for papers closes soon!
The deadline to get your abstract in for the 2008 Early Childhood Australia National Conference is next Thursday, 31 January 2008.
Make sure you don't miss out – submit your abstract now.
A new agenda for early childhood
This year the Rudd government will begin implementing its plan for early childhood. The plan has real potential to improve outcomes for young children; but, if there are to be real gains for the sector, we need to be active and ensure that the implementation of policies reflects the evidence about what will make a difference in early childhood services. Sometimes the easiest way is not the best.
The following papers are required reading – they provide important insights into how the government's preschool and other promises need to be implemented. They set out the basics for quality outcomes for children.
Talking with children
One of the important findings of the European pre-school education project affirms the value of communication in care and education:
'It was found that the most effective settings encourage "sustained shared thinking" [conversation] which was most likely to occur when children were interacting 1:1 with an adult or with a single peer partner. It would appear that periods of "sustained shared thinking" are a necessary pre-requisite for the most effective early years practice.'
The following resources provide valuable advice about talking with children.
Winning ways to talk with young children
Communication is much more than what we say – how we say it is just as important.
The quality and quantity of conversations with children matter
A fascinating interview with Dr Todd Risley about his seminal research on talk in early childhood. Risley's study found that the amount of meaningful, engaged conversation between adults and young children, from the earliest age, is the strongest predictor of outcomes.
Quality-assured books
Use your words: How teacher talk helps children to learn is a book all educators and carers will value. It examines the connections between the ways you speak and the ways children behave and learn.
Everyday learning about talking is filled with ideas and advice for home care environments. It explains the stages of children's language development, showing how involving young children in conversations enhances their capacity to learn to talk.
Early Childhood Australia 2007 highlights: Part 1
Early Childhood Australia's Code of Ethics
Early in 2007, Early Childhood Australia launched the revised Code of Ethics, which provides a framework for ethical decision-making in the early childhood field. View the Code online or download it as a PDF.
In the next few issues we will bring you further highlights for Early Childhood Australia from 2007.
Help to build the advocacy chain
Invite colleagues to subscribe to ECA WebWatch
Early Childhood Australia's strength is determined by the strength of its members and supporters. It is only through your support that we can advocate for and on behalf of the sector. ECA WebWatch is one of our strongest tools for advocacy but its reach – our leverage in the sector – depends on the number of people who subscribe.
As a reader of ECA WebWatch you can make a big difference to the sector. By forwarding this newsletter to just five people and asking them to subscribe, you extend our advocacy chain – increasing our ability to communicate and work with the sector.
Here are some of the great comments we've received from you:
'I love the links to the articles. I find them great reading and often use them for handouts to families.'
'Quick and easy reference in keeping up to date. Thanks.'
'I have been able to access so much current information/tip sheets etc. with so little effort. You certainly have helped me keep in touch with the latest information and I really enjoy reading your articles.'
We always love getting your opinions and feedback about ECA WebWatch – so please let us know what you think – but, more importantly, let other people know about ECA WebWatch!
First years at school
Development 5–9 years (Supporting Best Practice)
This section of Early Childhood Australia's popular Supporting Best Practice web directory contains four links to help you know what to expect in the early years of school.
School readiness and children's transitions (ECA resource theme)
The 'School readiness and children's transitions' resource theme collects Early Childhood Australia online resources as well as carefully reviewed links on all aspects of children's transitions.
Your child's first year at school: A book for parents
The 'School readiness and children's transitions' resource theme also contains a free sample chapter from the bestselling Your child's first year at school: A book for parents which was produced by Early Childhood Australia and the Australian Primary Principals Association.
Thanks to sponsorship from the Australian Scholarships Group we are able to offer the publication exclusively, in bulk, to Australian primary schools for $9.99 each.
Winston Churchill Memorial Trust
Winston Churchill Memorial Trust
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust is a unique organisation that gives Australians in all fields the opportunity to advance their skills through travel and study overseas.
The deadline for 2008 applications is 29 February 2008.
Dates for your diary
Early Childhood Australia National Conference
Children: A nation's capital – Investing in our children
3–6 October 2008
National Convention Centre, Canberra
Don't miss Early Childhood Australia's 70th birthday conference! The call for papers closes 31 January 2008 – make sure you submit your abstract.
Deb Curtis and Margie Carter conferences
Deb Curtis and Margie Carter are early childhood experts and authors who have trained carers and educators around the world for many years.
In March 2008 they will be running one-day conferences in Melbourne, Wagga Wagga, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
Birth to Three Matters: Foundations for Research, Policy and Practice
5–6 July 2008
Griffith University, Logan Campus, Queensland
This conference explores the current Australian perspectives on early childhood development, using multidisciplinary and trans-disciplinary approaches.
Early Childhood Australia's online calendar is the quick and easy way to keep track of what's happening.
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 44, January 2008. © Early Childhood Australia.
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