All the early childhood news on the web!
Welcome to the latest edition of ECA WebWatch. In this issue, we encourage you to find out more about the KidsMatter Early Childhood initiative, and apply to be a pilot centre in the project.
Also in this issue:
- AJEC Online
- Child Wise launch new sexual abuse awareness campaign
- Make positive changes to children's eating and activity habits
Plus:
- ECA calendar
- Quality-assured early childhood resources
- ECA Greenwatch
ECA WebWatch feature item
KidsMatter Expression of Interest for Pilot Site Participation
KidsMatter Early Childhood is a new national mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention initiative which is being developed specifically for early childhood services. It involves the people who have a significant influence on young children's lives – families and early childhood professionals, along with a range of community and health professionals – in making a positive difference for young children's mental health during this important developmental period.
KidsMatter Early Childhood has been developed in collaboration with the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, beyondblue: the national depression initiative, Australian Psychological Society and Early Childhood Australia.
KidsMatter Early Childhood will be piloted in over 100 preschools/kindergartens and long day care centres across Australia in 2010 and 2011. We are now calling for expression of interest for pilot site participation. Applications close 26 October 2009.
For further information and application form please go to www.kidsmatter.edu.au/ec
Your ECA Conference monthly update
Conference registration costs announced
Conference registration opens February 2010 with our early bird registration closing 31 July.
Please see table below for registration costs:
Fee Type
|
Early bird (closes 31 July 2010) |
Full rate (from 1 August 2010) |
| Full registration |
|
|
| ECA member |
$750.00 |
$900.00 |
| Non-member |
$900.00 |
$1,050.00 |
| Concession registration |
|
|
| ECA member |
$350.00 |
$350.00 |
| Non-member |
$450.00 |
$450.00 |
| Single day |
$250.00 |
$250.00 |
| Single day registration |
|
|
| Single day |
$350.00 |
$350.00 |
To stay up to date, join our mailing list:
Email conference@earlychildhood.org.au to receive updates and announcements.
Information and updates will also be available online: www.ecaconference.com.au
Child Wise launch new child sexual abuse awareness and prevention campaign
Learn how you can contribute to the campaign
A report recently released by ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Pornography and Trafficking – Child Wise's peak international body) International and The Body Shop entitled Their Protection is in Our Hands – The State of Global Child Trafficking for Sexual Purposes has found that the unlawful slave trade of children and young people to the commercial sex industry is a massive human rights violation that is largely going unnoticed around the world.
The findings have kick started a global prevention campaign undertaken by The Body Shop International and ECPAT. There are joint awareness and prevention campaigns being launched by 45 countries around the world in response to the report.
Download the full report.
Make positive changes to children's eating and activity habits
CSIRO launch new wellbeing plan for children
The CSIRO Wellbeing Plan for Kids is designed to provide ways that you can positively influence your child's eating and physical activity habits.
It is a book for all families wanting to lead a healthier life and teach their children healthy habits that they will take with them into adulthood.
Developing children's literacy
Strategies for teaching reading
Research and discover different methods for helping children become comfortable and familiar with the written word, through development of print awareness, phonemic awareness and language play.
Effective reading programs
Exemplary and effective literacy programs have number of common features and demonstrate an approach to teaching that is responsive to children's needs.
Expanded Autism services across Australia
Changes to Government 'Helping Children with Autism' program
Around 1400 children with Autism Spectrum Disorders will have easier access to early intervention services, following changes to the Helping Children with Autism package.
This program gives children with Autism Spectrum Disorders opportunities to benefit from a range of early interventions, including one-on-one intensive activities and tailored group and individual programs.
From 19 October 2009, new arrangements will allow additional speech pathologists, occupational therapists and psychologists to participate in the autism program, subject to quality requirements.
Subscribe to AJEC now to receive AJEC Online!
Register for this exclusive offer
The latest issue of the Australasian Journal of Early Childhood (AJEC) covers a variety of articles from care, education and health which research, discuss and investigate ideas around change, improvement and quality.
With many of the world's leading journals now offered online, AJEC is now available online.
This exciting new option allows you to:
- access full-content articles online
- save downloadable PDFs on your personal computer
- be first to read the latest in early childhood research and debate
This is an additional feature for current AJEC subscribers. If you are not a subscriber, sign up today.
Free guide to safe nursery furniture
Keep your baby safe
Children under five years old are more vulnerable to accidental death or injury than any other age group. However, most accidents are preventable.
This free guide from the ACCC will help you identify high-risk items, as well as provide advice for what to look for before you buy (including second-hand items). There are also tips for providing a safe home environment.
Listen to new research on brain development in young children
Download podcasts now – 'The brains of babes, Part 2'
New research into brain development, human biology and behaviour is showing how early experiences can affect our health and wellbeing 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.
ECA Greenwatch
'Leave no child inside'
In 2009, the Chicago Wilderness alliance adopted its Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights, which states that every child should have the opportunity to:
- Discover wilderness – prairies, dunes, forests, savannas, and wetlands
- Camp under the stars
- Follow a trail
- Catch and release fish, frogs, and insects
- Climb a tree
- Explore nature in neighbourhoods and cities
- Celebrate heritage
- Plant a flower
- Play in the mud or a stream
- Learn to swim
Research shows that all of the activities listed in the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights nourish children's physical, social, and emotional development, while connecting them to the wealth of resources available in their backyards, neighborhoods, cities, and region.
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.
Everyday learning about getting along with others
Offers practical advice to guide you as you help children to develop an understanding of diversity, difference, belonging, and taking responsibility.
Optimistic carers and children: Pathways to confidence and wellbeing
Research shows that optimism improves emotional wellbeing, fosters better relationships and provides protection against adverse events. It also shows that both adults and children can learn optimistic behaviour.
ECA calendar
Celebrating 21 years of sexuality education conference
15 October 2009
Holiday Inn Brisbane
159 Roma Street
Brisbane
This conference will provide an opportunity to consider and discuss the importance of sexuality education for all children and young people.
The R.E. Ross Trust Seminar Series – Including Fathers
21 October
9:00am - 2:45pm
Laureate Room
Etihad Stadium (Formally Telstra Dome)
Melbourne
This seminar will consider the rationale for changing the way we deliver our services in order to ensure men are properly supported in their role as parents of babies and young children.
Visit Early Childhood Australia's online calendar — it's the easy way to keep track of important events, conferences and dates.
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.
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ECA WebWatch – Issue 82, October 2009. © Early Childhood Australia.
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