Hola y bienvenidos al ECA WebWatch*

Apologies for the break in the ECA WebWatch distribution. We are now back online and ready to bring you our regular fortnightly ECA WebWatch updates.

Our feature item this issue is the Early Years Learning Framework: Second draft available.

Also in this issue:

• Tom Calma's lecture on bilingualism and the NT intervention
• supporting cultural identity
• the importance of social and emotional learning
• update on ABC Learning.

Plus our usual features:

• important early childhood events
• quality-assured resources
• ECA GreenWatch.

*Spanish for 'Hello and welcome to ECA WebWatch'.

ECA WebWatch feature item

The Early Years Learning Framework: Second draft available

The development of the Federal Government's Early Years Learning Framework is continuing – the second draft has just been released.

Contribute to the Early Years Learning Framework
The new draft and dates of the consultations are now available – scroll down to find times and locations for the national forums.

There are two ways you can contribute to the development:

• attend a capital city consultation forum
• send a written submission.

A national quality framework for early childhood education and care: A discussion paper (PDF)
Early Childhood Australia's response to the Early Years Learning Framework is a crucial part of the advocacy work that we have been doing with LHMU, the union for childcare practitioners, on the development of an early childhood workforce strategy.

Tom Calma's lecture on bilingualism and the NT intervention

A human rights agenda for the Northern Territory

'Sustained, long term action [is] needed to make these communities safe for women and children.

'Any measures to be applied to the entire community should only be implemented with the voluntary agreement of the community, including affected women and children.'

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma, delivered the annual Eric Johnson lecture on 17 November 2008. In the lecture he discussed the NT Government's decision to make four hours of English literacy mandatory for all school students which, he argues, will effectively end bilingual education.

A media release on the speech is also available.

Supporting children's cultural identity

Supporting the development of cultural identity
Practitioners who provide activities and experiences that recognise children as family and community members support their development of a cultural identity.

The right to maintain the first language
All professionals, including those who teach adults English and who work with children, should encourage parents to use the language they know best with their children.

The importance of social and emotional learning

Social and emotional learning and student benefits (PDF)
Social–emotional learning is the process through which children and adults acquire the knowledge, attitudes and skills associated with the core areas of social and emotional competency:

• self-awareness (e.g. identifying and recognising emotions)
• self-management (e.g. impulse control and stress management)
• social awareness (e.g. perspective taking; empathy)
• relationship skills (e.g. communication and social engagement)
• responsible decision-making (e.g. problem identification and situation analysis).

Update on ABC Learning

The situation with ABC Learning will take time to resolve. What is important is that, in finding a solution, we focus on the needs of families and children for quality child care and the support of centre staff.

ABC Learning – Press Conference
Read the transcript of the recent press conference with Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

ABC Learning and childcare workers
LHMU, a union which represents childcare staff, has said:

'ABC Centres need to remain open to be viable. Centres are only viable if skilled professional staff continue to want to work in ABC centres. ABC centres are vital to the community, children and staff.'

'The sector already has a high rate of turnover. Experienced and qualified staff need to be maintained, not encouraged to leave.'

Collapse of ABC to fuel legal overhaul
An article from The Australian discussing plans to boost the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's powers to block 'creeping acquisitions' – circumstances when large players, such as ABC Learning, continue to acquire further assets.

Starting school links from ECA's Supporting Best Practice

School readiness (Supporting Best Practice)
Three links that set out what children may worry about when they start school, and what parents and practitioners can do to make transitions smoother.

Peer interactions–friendships (Supporting Best Practice)
Six links exploring the important role that friendships play and what we can do to support their growth.

ECA GreenWatch

Schools Clean Up Day
Schools Clean Up Day will be held on 27 February 2009, a companion event to Clean Up Australia Day, which will take place on 1 March 2009. These are great events for children of all ages and would be very worthwhile for early childhood services to be involved in.

Growing up green
An inspiring article from G Magazine, on why it's important to encourage children's interest in protecting the environment around them.

Free safety chart released

National Guide to Early Childhood Education 2008/09
The poster highlights key areas of health and safety for all Australian preschoolers. Follow the above link to download a copy of the guide, and request further copies here.

ECA calendar

QEC 2008 Conference
Reaching out to vulnerable families: Achieving better outcomes for children
20–21 November 2008
The Sebel Albert Park, Melbourne

Professionals from a wide range of disciplines will explore the essential role of supporting the development of sensitive and responsive parenting.

2008 New Zealand Early Childhood Research Conference
22–23 January 2009
Massey University
Wellington, New Zealand

A conference for anyone who has an interest in research relating to the care, health, learning and teaching of young children in the family, early childhood services and community.

2009 WA Child Care and Early Childhood Education Conference
Quality and collaboration matter!
3–5 April 2009
Sheraton Perth Hotel, Perth

This conference will bring together a diverse range of people working in early childhood to focus on the quality of care in early childhood, and the importance of partnership, cooperation and collaboration.

Visit Early Childhood Australia's online calendar – it's the easy way to keep track of important events, conferences and dates.

Quality-assured early childhood resources

Professional reading is an important part of early childhood advocacy and professional growth. Experienced early childhood practitioners quality assure every book sold by Early Childhood Australia.

The power of guidance: Teaching social-emotional skills in early childhood classrooms shows practitioners how to help children develop lifelong skills such as mutual acceptance and cooperation, creative and peaceful problem-solving strategies, and acceptable ways to express difficult emotions.

Roots and wings: Affirming culture in early childhood programs is a clear and practical introduction to multicultural and anti-bias issues in working with children and families in early childhood settings.

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ECA WebWatch - Issue 62, November 2008. © Early Childhood Australia.