Bonnie-2-main

How to create a learning environment

This blog was originally posted during the pandemic but reflects on children spending time at home and shares tips on creating a learning environment.  With additional social distancing, self-isolation, school closures and working from home…
Teaching and Learning—not as we know it

Teaching and Learning—not as we know it

Early Childhood Australia’s (ECA’s) DR KATE HIGHFIELD talks about keeping the educational focus while staying safe with young children. Scroll to the end of this blog to find a webcast on the same topic featuring Kate in discussion with…
Living life lagom

Living life ‘lagom’

KOREN NAYLOR, Director of Ballarat Grammar’s Centre for Early Education (CEEd), details an encounter with internationally renowned education Professor Gunilla Dahlberg that was ‘just right‘. Book your spot at the 2022 ECA National Conference. After…
Disengagement from learning

Disengagement from learning

Why are so many young children disengaged from learning? How do we know if children are, or are not, engaged in learning? GILLIAN KIRK and MARIANNE KNAUS explore this through research and share findings from a case study examining classroom…
Disrupting school readiness

Disrupting school readiness

School readiness—what’s the problem with it? and how can this commonly used phrase be disrupted? DR KATHRYN HOPPS delves into these questions and shares tips for educators to implement in their services. Continuing the conversation…
Tech wise: what’s the plan?

Tech wise: what’s the plan?

How are you going to face the long summer? You may have food and drinks in the fridge or plans to visit people who do. You probably have your fire survival and evacuation plan organised. But what about your ‘children and technology’ plan?…
Right to play

Right to play

Protecting children’s right to play Play is a vital avenue for learning and development in young children. Early Childhood Australia (ECA) is consulting with early childhood experts to find out how to stop it from diminishing. If…
School readiness

School readiness

The problem with ‘school readiness.’  ‘School readiness’—many find it controversial. MAREE ALDWINCKLE explores this concept and shares her experience as an early childhood teacher and academic. How can we use better terms and activities…
Photography with purpose

Photography with purpose

Meaningful photos in early childhood documentation As early childhood educators seek strategies for managing and creating meaningful documentation, KEETA WILLIAMS questions how photographs can be improved. Karen Hope recently discussed…
Child-led planning: Starting the Floorbook Approach

Child-led planning: Starting the Floorbook Approach

One question Dr Claire Warden is asked about the Floorbook Approach is whether there is a set sequence, here she answers this popular query. This is part two to a three-part blog series, you can read the first one here. Claire shares how…
Home » What’s in a box? Maths!TEXT SIZE A A A What’s in a box? Maths!

What’s in a box? Maths!

Who has given a gift to a young child only to see the child play and enjoy the box the gift came in more than the gift? DR AUDREY COOKE and ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JENNY JAY observe young children playing with a cardboard box and notice the…
Use Floorbooks for child-led planning

How to effectively reflect, record and engage children

By listening to children and identifying their interests, you can create a unique learning opportunity that excites and interests them. DR CLAIRE WARDEN shares part one of a three-part blog series on how you can make the most of Floorbooks…