The latest early childhood links, news and resources...
Welcome to another huge ECA WebWatch! In this issue we take a look at the Government's progress on the Early Years Learning Framework and provide some great links on early childhood practice.
Also in this issue:
- praise and rewards
- leadership
- learning how to be green
- ECA's submission to the parental leave inquiry
- transitions to school
- National Science Week awards.
Plus – don't forget to check our list of important early childhood dates, as well as the sample of quality-assured resources available from Early Childhood Australia.
Supporting best practice
Praise and rewards (Supporting Best Practice)
These six links from Early Childhood Australia's Supporting Best Practice web directory talk about the use of praise as means of encouraging and supporting children – and the danger of undermining children's self-confidence if overused.
The leadership challenge
This link identifies five practices that apply to leadership in all fields, with clear applicability to the early childhood sector.
Everyday learning about being green – sample chapter (PDF)
This sample chapter from Early Childhood Australia's brand new book, Everyday learning about being green, provides a helpful overview of how everyone who cares for children can make a real difference to our impact on the planet – as well as some great tips on saving energy and money.
ECA Conference Early Bird registration closes 31 July
3–6 October 2008
National Convention Centre, Canberra
Save up to $150 with Early Bird – register online now.
Alternatively, fax, email or post the conference registration form (PDF).
Conference program
The workshop timetable is now available on the conference website.
ECA submission to parental leave inquiry
Inquiry into Paid Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave: Recommendations from Early Childhood Australia (PDF)
'While we recognise the complexity of the context, Early Childhood Australia suggests that an investment in paid parental leave will generate great potential for ensuring children's short- and long-term wellbeing as well as the short- and long-term productivity gains for the nation.'
This document outlines Early Childhood Australia's considerations and recommendations to the Productivity Commission's Inquiry into Paid Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave.
National early childhood news
Transitions to school
Policy Briefs – Rethinking the transition to school: Linking schools and early years services (PDF)
The latest issue of the Centre for Community Child Health's Policy Briefs summarises contemporary research on transition to school, and provides valuable strategies to help children and families.
National Science Week awards
2008 Young Australian Discoverer and Discovery Class of the Year
For the first time, as part of National Science Week (16–24 August 2008), the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research and Australian Geographic will be presenting a Young Discoverer of the Year and a Discovery Class of the Year award.
The Young Discoverer of the Year award is open to Australian children aged 5–13 years. Australian primary schools are eligible to apply for the Discovery Class of the Year award.
Applications for both awards close 3 August 2008.
Early childhood events
Engendering Leadership Through Research and Practice Conference
22–24 July 2008
University of Western Australia, Perth
A forum for researchers and leaders from business, government and communities to generate new thinking about gender and leadership.
National Aboriginal and Islander Children's Day
4 August 2008
There will be events all over Australia during this week, to celebrate the importance and value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in families and communities.
Early Childhood Australia's
online calendar helps you stay informed about important early childhood events, conferences and dates.
High-quality 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.
Snails live in houses too: Environmental education for the early years is full of inspiring and helpful teaching strategies for incorporating environmental education into all aspects of early childhood programs.
Just discover! Connecting young children with the natural world details a huge range of hands-on play-based scientific opportunities that help children develop a stronger connection with nature.
Help us expand the ECA WebWatch community
Please pass this e-newsletter service on to friends and colleagues with this link to subscribe: www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/mail
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. As a reader of ECA WebWatch you can make a big difference to the sector. By forwarding this newsletter to colleagues and inviting them to subscribe, you extend our advocacy chain – increasing our ability to communicate and work with the sector.
Let us know what you think ...
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Past issues of ECA WebWatch are available on the Early Childhood Australia website.
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ECA WebWatch - Issue 56, July#2 2008. © Early Childhood Australia.
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