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Welcome to another big ECA WebWatch. In this issue you'll find lots of practical ideas and the latest sector news, including links on:
- play and learning
- curiosity – new Supporting Best Practice section
- thinking about social inclusion
- national literacy and numeracy assessment.
Plus, as always, we bring you the important need-to-know dates and useful resources available from Early Childhood Australia.
Karen Martin joins ECA National Conference
Karen Martin has now been confirmed as the second 'Theory into Practice' keynote speaker at Early Childhood Australia's 2008 Biennial Conference.
Karen is a Noonuccal woman from Minjerripah who also has Bidjara ancestry. She has taught in Aboriginal community education services, and has published and lectured widely in Aboriginal early childhood education.
The outstanding analytical depth of Karen's research has seen her awarded the 2005 Barbara Creaser Memorial award by Early Childhood Australia, the 2006 James Cook University Medal, and the joint 2007 AARE Doctoral Research in Education Award.
Karen is a member of the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children and the ARACY Research Network, and is currently Associate Professor of Early Childhood at Southern Cross University.
Early Bird registration is now open – save up to $150!
Early Bird registrations are now available for the ECA Biennial Conference until 31 July 2008 – book now!
ECA/McArthur Awards deadline extended
ECA Biennial Conference Awards
The call for applications for the Early Childhood Australia/McArthur Management Services Awards has been extended until 4 July 2008.
These awards are unique opportunities to support your growth as an early childhood professional, including:
- Early Childhood Leadership Development Scholarship ($8000)
- Early Childhood Student Encouragement Award ($3000)
The awards are offered by McArthur Management Services and Early Childhood Australia to provide opportunities for early childhood educators and carers to advance their skills – which is essential to the continued improvement and growth of the sector.
Play and learning
These two short articles are rich sources of ideas for exploring play and learning.
Creating structures: Common and uncommon ideas
'Children naturally create structures. We see clear examples of this when children are in outdoor environments or when they are given interesting, loose materials to work with.'
Play with clay
'Since children love natural materials, clay will probably be a hit, too. Natural materials are also a springboard to creative thinking and a connection to nature and the arts (along with many developmental skills!).'
New Supporting Best Practice resources – curiosity
Early Childhood Australia has just added a new section, on curiosity, to the popular Supporting Best Practice web directory.
Curiosity (Supporting Best Practice)
In this new section you'll find lots of helpful ideas to encourage and build on children's wonder and interest in the world – crucial for lifelong learning.
Noisy toys may pose a risk to hearing
KidsLife
For many children, toys that make noise can be an important part of their play and development. However, toys that squeak, crank, honk, rattle, or come equipped with some sort of siren or shrill musical tone, have the potential to damage a child's hearing.
Thinking about social inclusion
The following working papers are important reading for everyone who works in the early childhood sector.
Leave no child behind! Social exclusion and child development (PDF)
Social inclusion as solidarity: Rethinking the child rights agenda (PDF)
These papers are especially relevant right now given the Federal Government's work on delivering its early childhood election promises.
Julia Gillard's speech – ACOSS National Conference
In this speech delivered at the Australian Council of Social Service's National Conference last month, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard outlines the new government's plans and how its promises for children work as part of their plan for greater social inclusion.
Important dates
Under Eights Week 2008
Our children, Our world, Our future
23–30 May 2008
All over Queensland
Visit the Under Eights Week website to find out what's on.
Early Childhood Teachers Association Annual Conference
28 June 2008
John Paul College, Brisbane
This conference includes key presentations on learning with the brain in mind, collaborating with parents, and children participating in the curriculum.
2008 Early Years Conference
Learning, growing, achieving
15–16 July 2008
Novotel Brighton Beach, Sydney
The 2008 Early Years Conference will feature innovations in literacy and numeracy, the Best Start program, student wellbeing and resilience, effective transitions, ICT in the early years and collaborative partnerships.
Visit Early Childhood Australia's online calendar – it's the easy way to keep track of important events, conferences and dates.
National literacy and numeracy assessment
National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy
Earlier this month, all States and Territories conducted National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy tests of Year 3, 5 and 7 students (and Year 9 in certain States and Territories).
The national tests will measure Australian students' performance in numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, to better enable comparison against national benchmarks.
You can read more about what's happening in the early childhood sector by visiting Early Childhood Australia's news page.
Early childhood resources from ECA
We understand that professional development is an important part of early childhood advocacy, and encourage all educators and carers to invest in their growth as professionals by using Early Childhood Australia's high-quality resources – all publications in our online book catalogue are quality-assured by early childhood experts.
Adults and children learning together is full of colourful and practical examples to teach behaviour that fosters learning environments for both children and adults.
Building a classroom community: The early childhood teacher's role is a great touchstone for early childhood professionals on how to encourage respect, responsibility and compassion in young children.
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ECA WebWatch - Issue 53, May#3 2008. © Early Childhood Australia.
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