Your guide to the latest early childhood news!

Welcome to this fortnight's edition of ECA WebWatch.

In this issue:

• Raising awareness of spectrum disorders
• Encouraging children's self-confidence and independence
• Commonwealth Bank Community Grants Program
• Discounts from The Native Shop for ECA members

Plus:

• ECA calendar
• Quality-assured early childhood resources
• ECA GreenWatch

Job opportunity at beyondblue

Program Evaluation Manager – KidsMatter Early Childhood Initiative
beyondblue is looking for a skilled and experienced Program and Evaluation Manager (PEM) who has tertiary qualifications and a strong background in early childhood mental health and education. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing beyondblue's participation in the KidsMatter Early Childhood Initiative (KEC), in particular managing and monitoring an external evaluation project and making a significant contribution to program content.

Applications close 3 July 2009.

For more information about this role, including job criteria, visit the beyondblue website.

Encouraging self-confidence and independence

Supporting independence
Encouraging independence in young children is an important developmental milestone.

Self-esteem and confidence
Young children's self-esteem is shaped by their early experiences – articles to help you support children in developing this quality.

Visit ECA's Supporting Best Practice link directory – an outstanding resource for early childhood professionals, parents, other caregivers and early childhood knowledge brokers.

NEiTA 2009 ASG Inspirational Teaching Awards

Nominations now open!
The NEiTA (National Excellence in Teaching Awards) 2009 ASG Inspirational Teaching Awards are now open for nominations for teachers from schools and centres.

School leaders can now be nominated for a NEiTA award in the new leadership and development category. The new leadership category not only includes principals, deputy principals and centre directors, but also recognises the valuable role played by all forms of school leaders — from team and house leaders to department heads.

Nominations for the 2009 ASG Inspirational Teaching Awards close 31 July 2009.

To nominate your favourite teacher, visit the NEiTA website.

Be aware of child sexual abuse

Child Wise launch new child sexual abuse awareness campaign
The remarkable human and social cost of child molestation and rape in Australia has urged Child Wise, Australia's leading international child protection charity, to launch a national campaign entitled Wise Up.

The initiative aims to educate Australians about the signs to look for when a child is being 'groomed' by a paedophile.

Child Wise also run the National Child Abuse Prevention Line, which offers telephone and web-based support for victims and families of child sexual abuse (Freecall 1800 99 10 99).

Commonwealth Bank Community Grants Program

Applications now open
The Commonwealth Bank Community Grants Program is one of the largest grant initiatives in Australia, and has contributed over $1.5 million to over 200 charities to fund local community initiatives since 2007.

These charities range from centres for disadvantaged youths, sports clubs, education centres and groups that provide equipment for sick and disabled children.

Applications close 31 July 2009.

To apply, visit www.commbank.com.au/communitygrants

Phoenix Children's Hospital release report on the effectiveness of physical punishment

Report on physical punishment in the United States: What research tells us about its effects on children
'This report was created for parents and others who care for children, professionals who provide services to them, those who develop policy and programs that affect children and families, interested members of the public, and children themselves.

There is little research evidence that physical punishment improves children's behavior in the long term. In contrast, there is substantial research evidence that physical punishment puts children at risk for negative outcomes, including increased aggression, antisocial behavior, mental health problems, and physical injury.'

Download the full report

Thomas & Friends unites with Autism Spectrum Australia

Raising awareness of autism
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) has announced a strategic partnership with the popular children's characters Thomas & Friends to help increase awareness about autism.

Thomas & Friends fans are also invited to go to the new Aspect website to play an interactive Emotions Game which helps children to identify emotions ranging from happy, sad, angry, surprised or scared.

ECA GreenWatch

Eco Voice offers a discount to ECA members
Eco Voice, the online environmental newsletter, is currently offering a 10% discount on products to ECA members. You can pick up a native propagation kit or a native plant pack for kids, to teach children in your centre or home the joy of growing and learning about native plants.

Simply mention that you are an ECA member in the comments section when you place your order, and The Native Shop will apply the discount.

Everyday learning together in the garden
Now available from ECA
Help children discover the wonders of the natural world and explore the possibilities that can be found in the garden.

Qld Government launches new breastfeeding campaign

'12+ months on the breast. Normal. Natural. Healthy.'
The message of Queensland Health's new breastfeeding campaign is that 12 months or more on the breast is normal, natural and healthy.

Breastfeeding is good for both mothers and babies, as it reduces the risk of babies developing both preventable illnesses like chest and ear infections, and chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity later in life. Mums can benefit from a reduced risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers.

For more information about the campaign, or for a copy of an easy-to-read guide to breastfeeding, visit the QLD Government work and breastfeeding website.

Quality-assured early childhood resources

All of ECA's publications are peer-reviewed by early childhood experts, so you can be assured that all our publications are of the highest quality, and relevant to you and your work.

Diversity in early care and education
For anyone who wants to understand more about race, gender, ability, religion, social class and status, and how these diverse issues relate to children.

Inviting play: Photographs of imaginatively constructed early childhood settings
Fantastic pictures to inspire you to create great play environments for young children – indoors and outdoors.

ECA Calendar

Fun4kids Festival
28 June–5 July 2009
Cnr Liebig and Timor Streets
Warrnambool, Victoria

Launched in 1998, the Fun4Kids Festival was conceived with the aim of celebrating the imagination and creative spirit of all children.

26th ACHPER International Conference
8–10 July 2009
Queensland University of Technology
Kelvin Grove Campus
Brisbane

Experts from Australia and around the world will present on a range of topics, addressing and leading workshops on such subjects as future-oriented curriculum and appropriate and authentic physical education teaching styles.

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

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ECA WebWatch - Issue 75, June #2 2009. © Early Childhood Australia.