Responsive language: Alternative language with real life situations

Responsive language: Alternative language with real life situations

The words we use daily with children matter. How we communicate and the words we use with children has a great effect on the relationships we build with them. UNICEF (n.d.) explains that ‘Every interaction you have with your child is a form…
Kate Reading to Kindy Children

Why I will always choose to teach in early childhood

Recently I was asked to speak at a career expo for pre-service early childhood teachers preparing to transition to the field. I guess the universe heard me loud and clear when I said I was ready to say ‘yes’ to new challenges and things…
Digital Child Ethics Toolkit: Considerations for research

Digital Child Ethics Toolkit: Considerations for research

It is naive to think our young children are growing up in the same way that adults did. Young children today are growing up in a digital world, and a vast range of digital technologies are shaping young people’s lives, learning and wellbeing.…
A time to educate, not celebrate: 26 January

A time to educate, not celebrate: 26 January

The date 26 January holds a complex place in Australia’s history. While some celebrate it as Australia Day, this date also marks a day of mourning for First Nations people as the date the first British colonies landed, starting centuries of…
Graduation practice isn’t in the EYLF.

Graduation practice isn’t in the EYLF.

It was early December 2023, and I was talking with a colleague, a Tertiary Supervisor visiting student pre-service teachers on their first ECEC placement. The student she had visited that day was experiencing a challenge. As with most practicums,…
Understanding the connection between mind and body: Why is movement important for the developing child?

Understanding the connection between mind and body: Why is movement important for the developing child?

An internationally recognised stereotype of modern Australia is that of athletes, weekend sports and physically active citizens enjoying the sun outdoors. However, when we begin to delve deep into the research and studies in relation to physical…
Supporting transition to school

Supporting transition to school

As the end of the year approaches, one of your priorities as an educator will be supporting children as they begin their transition from early childhood settings to primary school. In preparing for this milestone while, navigating the complexities…
The Leap

The Leap

Imagine traveling 2 plane flights and over 8 hours to your first teaching job- with little people who spoke a different language and who were from a different cultural background to you. You might be forgiven for thinking that the scenario…
Rethinking ‘School Readiness’: It’s Time for Schools to Be Ready

Rethinking ‘School Readiness’: It’s Time for Schools to Be Ready

‘School readiness’ programs are advertised across the nation, with some early learning services and preschools promising to provide children with literacy and numeracy skills for a head start in school. On social media, parents frantically…
Early Childhood Learning Trajectories: What, why, how?

Early Childhood Learning Trajectories: What, why, how?

ACECQA data show us that the most challenging quality area for ECEC services to meet is QA1: Educational Program and Practice. Within QA1, Element 1.3.1, Assessment and Planning Cycle is the most likely element to be awarded a ‘not met’…
“This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before”. (Maya Angelou)

“This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before”. (Maya Angelou)

The privilege of working with our youngest citizens. The engine room of any organisation is the most important and influential. This is where the key driving force for ongoing propulsion happens. Everything moves forward when this room is in…
Children’s wellbeing and literacy – how they go hand in hand.

Children’s wellbeing and literacy – how they go hand in hand.

Early childhood is an undeniably critical life stage. Decades of research and neuroscience supports this and the knowledge that quality early education and care (ECEC) programs are beneficial for children’s learning and development (OECD,…