Keeping you up to date on early childhood news!

Welcome to the latest edition of ECA WebWatch. This fortnight, take the opportunity to contribute your thoughts on the Australian Government's Compendium of Social Inclusion Indicators.

Also in this issue:

• New research on brain development in babies
• Television and early childhood development
• Indigenous Literacy Day

Plus:

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

Don't miss Playgroup Australia's The Power of Play Conference

Register now for the Playgroup Australia Inaugural Conference!
One of the most exciting professional development events in recent years for those working with young children and families, The Power of Play Inaugural National Playgroup Conference examines the importance of play in the early years from a range of perspectives.

A varied program of keynote talks, abstract presentations and interactive workshops, combined with a fun and friendly social program, will ensure a fresh mix of information and experiences.

Presenters include Kathy Walker, leading early childhood development expert Pam Linke, Edith Cowan University's Professor Margaret Sims, journalist Jenny Brockie, and Governor General Quentin Bryce, AC.

For more information, download the Information Brochure.

Register before 31 August to receive a discounted earlybird rate!

ECA WebWatch feature item

Contribute your comments on the Compendium of Social Inclusion Indicators
The Australian Social Inclusion Board's Compendium of Social Inclusion Indicators contributes first steps towards comprehensive performance measurement and evaluation of social inclusion in Australia. The aim is to draw a picture of how people are doing on issues such as income, access to the job market, social supports and networks, effects of the local neighbourhood, access to services and health.

You have the opportunity to provide comments on the Compendium until 31 August 2009.

You can also download resources, brochures and learn more about Social Inclusion policies in Australia.

New policy brief from Centre for Community Child Health

Television and Early Childhood Development
The Centre for Community Child Health's Policy Briefs translate the childhood research evidence to inform policy, practice and service delivery. The series is a succinct, easy to read publication aimed at stimulating informed debate about issues that affect children's health and wellbeing.

This brief explores the impact of television on the development of young children and examines recent research and recommendations for children aged 0-2 years.

Listen to new research on brain development in young children

Download podcasts now — 'The brains of babes, Part 1'
New research into brain development, human biology and behaviour is showing how early experience can affect our health and well-being for the rest of our lives. As Jill Eisen reports, even so-called ‘life-style' illnesses, like heart disease and diabetes, may have their roots in early childhood.

Thinking about babies

About babies
There are numerous simple, everyday activities that support babies to acquire the basic building blocks of life.

Crying and settling
Parents and caregivers need to follow the baby's cues and find a ways to settle them that work for the baby and for the parents and caregivers.

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

New childcare report encourages mothers to return to workforce

Government aiming to improve childcare quality
A new study funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations has discovered that many women are returning to work only part-time after the birth of their children, as they wish to spend as much time as possible with their children.

The government hopes to improve childcare practices in order to encourage more women to return to the workforce.

Indigenous Literacy Day

Support Indigenous Literacy Day on 2 September
The Indigenous Literacy Project, in conjunction with The Fred Hollows Foundation, aims to raise $250,000 to provide books and literacy resources for remote Indigenous communities.

All money raised will provide books and literacy resources in homes, community centres, womens' centres, schools and health centres in the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.

For more information, visit the Indigenous Literacy Project website

ECA Greenwatch

Eco tips for your home, centre and garden
Gardens help clean the air, contribute to our oxygen supply and help prevent soil erosion. Tending a garden is also believed to generally improve your quality of life. Children can have lots of fun and learn to appreciate the wonders of natural world through working in the garden.

Also available from Early Childhood Australia:
Everyday learning about being green
Demonstrates easy, everyday ways you can engage children in thinking about the environment and the future, and the importance of sustainable practices.

Everyday learning together in the garden
The garden offers many learning experiences for children, including in maths, literacy, science and creativity.

ECA Calendar

ARACY Conference 2009
2 – 4 September 2009
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Normanby Road
Melbourne

The theme of this conference is Transforming Australia for our children's future: Making prevention work. It aims to build links between international and national experts, researchers, social entrepreneurs, marketers, innovators, business and financiers.

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

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.

Building structures with young children — The young scientist series
Introduce children to the science concepts behind designing and building, such as gravity, stability and balance.

Every Child — Play and Learning — Vol. 14 No. 2, 2008
The research is clear that high-quality care and education is built on the rich connection between play and learning; and when supported by strong child–practitioner relationships, it leads to improved outcomes in education, health and social skills.

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Let us know what you think ...
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ECA WebWatch – Issue 79, August #2 2009. © Early Childhood Australia.