Early childhood is not flying a plane

Early childhood is not flying a plane

What needs to be different about quality in practice? PROFESSOR PETER MOSS, internationally acclaimed early childhood expert and author, shared his insights with The Spoke, ahead of his keynote presentation and workshop at 2019 ECA National…
EDUCATOR DAY

This job is real, raw and meaningful

In light of Early Childhood Educators’ Day on Wednesday 4 September, we asked ANNE STONEHOUSE to write about the role of educators in the lives and formation of children. Anne talked to a circle of educators who shared rewarding parts…
Do you want me to ‘be’ with your child or photograph your child?

Do you want me to ‘be’ with your child or photograph your child?

KAREN HOPE shares her perspective on another hot topic in the early childhood sector, delving into the pressure that educators face to photograph children in their care, to document learning. Do photos of children engaged with another child…
Kelly Sikkema

Tips for parents of young children using digital technology

The news this week has many people worried about children’s ‘screen time’. Are babies overexposed to smartphones, tablets and laptops? As DR KATE HIGHFIELD writes, Early Childhood Australia finds that ‘banning’ these technologies…
Antarctic Expedition Leader

Respect trumps harmony—5 leadership lessons from the world’s toughest workplace

Leadership is an intrinsic part of everyone’s workplace, no matter the role you’re in. RACHAEL ROBERTSON led an expedition in Antarctica for a year and since her return has become an author, keynote speaker and leadership expert. Rachael’s…
Pro-love-2

Is love the same as care?

A growing trend has seen the term ‘love’ used to describe everything from government welfare drug testing to what educators should aim for in their practice and environments for young children. Two blog posts on The Spoke examine the issue…
Whats the story with child care costs

What’s the story with child care costs?

The last week has seen a flurry of media releases and reports on the cost of child care and whether the new Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is achieving its goals of making childcare more affordable and boosting workforce participation. The conclusions…
male perspective

Why choose early childhood: A male perspective on working as an educator

TRISTAN PAGE is a dedicated early childhood educator with a true passion for his job. He shares his experiences as a man in the early childhood education sector, over the last 18 years. Tristan explains how he incorporates a personal perspective…
Exploring Indigenous ways of knowing and being

Exploring Indigenous ways of knowing and being

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is held on 4 August each year. The 2019 theme was We Play, We Learn, We Belong. In this piece, we share the importance of Indigenous culture and language in the early years…
Professional love

Love and care—where has it gone in early years practice?

We constantly use the term education and care in early childhood, but what does care mean? DR LIZ ROUSE and DR FAY HADLEY explore the ideas and the research in this ‘hotly debated’ topic. Are educators expected to have ‘professional…
The importance of baby and toddler mental health

The importance of baby and toddler mental health

‘The early years of a human being’s life have a significant impact on lifelong mental health and wellbeing.’  Be You shares the importance of mental health and wellbeing to babies and toddlers and suggests resources for families and educators.  New…
adam-duncan-secondary

Reflecting on NAIDOC Week

Adam Duncan reflects on NAIDOC Week in this repost from Narragunnawali News, expressing reasons why sharing with children about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions is an important part of their education. NAIDOC…