Posts

‘Stretched time’ in early childhood education and care

‘Stretched time’ in early childhood education and care

Sometimes a question can stay with you: ‘Are we making the best use of children’s time?’ This was Chloe Kerr1’s question after an In Service day in Shetland last year about slow pedagogies. Chloe’s question is key to reconsidering…
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…
Partnerships

Shifting perspectives: Our role in partnerships with families

DR KATEY DE GIOIA reflects on a discussion with teachers about learning goals for children, which led her to think about partnerships between families and teachers in early childhood education and care. Dr De Gioia presented at the 2019…
Communicating family diversity and celebrations

Communicating family diversity and celebrations

There are strong messages in the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) that point to the significance of developing trusting partnerships with families and respecting family diversity. These are listed under ‘Principles’. Trust and respect…
Play-based learning can set your child up for success at school and beyond

Play-based learning can set your child up for success at school and beyond

As the new school year begins, many families are deciding where to enrol their child in preschool or school. Preschools and schools offer various approaches to early education, all promoting the benefits of their particular programs. One…
the documentation pilgrimage

The documentation pilgrimage

In the children’s literature classic Alice in Wonderland there is the following exchange between the curious, brave and intelligent Alice and the mysterious and devious Cheshire cat. “Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought…
Why play-based learning?

Why play-based learning?

‘ … for the EYLF to be implemented properly, all early childhood educators need to know what play is, why it is important, how to implement and assess a play-based program and their role in it.’ Questioning practice The Early Years Learning…
It’s not all about relationships — or is it?

It’s not all about relationships — or is it?

Many discussions about quality in education and care services include at some point—often as a summary statement—the assertion that ‘in the end, it’s all about relationships’. This is likely to occur whether the topic is pedagogy,…