The possibilities of open-ended play

The possibilities of open-ended play

We all celebrate the end of the year differently, but it usually involves a break and quality family time. DR JANE WEBB-WILLIAMS shares practical tips for children to get the best out of play over this summer break. Jane also takes us through the…
‘You get what you get, and don’t get upset’—Emotional suppression in early childhood

‘You get what you get, and don’t get upset’—Emotional suppression in early childhood

As adults, we can unintentionally use language towards children that suppress their emotions—short term and long term. Be You consultant, DR KATHRYN HOPPS, looks into what this can mean for the child and more thoughtful responses we can…
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…
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…
Healthy-habits-blog

Healthy habits start early

With the brunt of winter hitting, it can be hard to continue a healthy and active lifestyle in a cold climate. LARA HERNANDEZ and JOE XU from the NSW Office of Preventive Health share various resources and facts for educators and families; they…
harmony-day-blog

Compassion and harmony, every day

There is not enough darkness in this world to extinguish the light of one small candle—Spanish proverb We reflect on the light, not only the shadow, cast by events to recognise what is possible: educators already have professional approaches,…
be-you-planning-blog

Reflecting and planning for the year ahead

Reflecting and planning skills are fundamental to our work as educators. While reflection allows us to have a wider range of perspectives and brings about new ways of thinking or understanding, planning builds upon that new understanding to…
brain-stimulation-blog-StGeorge

Five ways with stimulating play

Early brain stimulation promotes social and other skills in young children. Mothers and fathers tend to offer different sorts of interactions writes JENNIFER STGEORGE drawing on research into the nature of play to explore five evidence-based…
What every child needs for learning self-regulation

What every child needs for learning self-regulation

This article first appeared on KidsMatter Early Childhood’s Shared Thinking blog on 30 June 2014. It was first shared on The Spoke in 2018 and was updated in July 2020.  What self-regulation is … and isn’t Self-regulation is not…
The Self-Reg View of: Overcoming Barriers

The Self-Reg View of: Overcoming Barriers

When children build forts and stock them with toys, pillows and blankets what role does this play in their lives? DR STUART SHANKER—self-regulation expert, psychology and philosophy lecturer—applies the ‘self-reg’ lens to overcoming…
Resilience and relationships—the impact of trauma and the healing nature of love

Resilience and relationships—the impact of trauma and the healing nature of love

Trauma can be split into two categories: simple and complex. When a singular traumatic incident occurs in a child’s life (for instance a car accident), this is considered a simple trauma. But when trauma becomes repetitive and pervasive, particularly…
Health benefits of gardening for children

Health benefits of gardening for children

Being outside and involved in activities in the fresh air with gentle sunlight—such as gardening—is an amazing experience for many people. But did you know that gardening can also have a great effect on the development of various skills…