Posts

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Reconceptualising documentation: Authenticity, purpose and educator wellbeing in early childhood education

In our service, we pride ourselves on being strong advocates for inclusion. We adapt our environments, our daily rhythm and our teaching to meet the diverse needs of every child in our care. We discuss individual learning styles, walking in…
Gen-AI in early childhood education: Navigating a not-so-new frontier?

Gen-AI in early childhood education: Navigating a not-so-new frontier?

Have you had that experience where a colleague shares a topical link, and the group chat goes wild? Constructive and rich discussion filled with critical reflection follows and then slowly it fizzles out, lost to the group chat ether forever.…
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’…
Why Is It Important to Make Children’s Thinking Visible?

Why Is It Important to Make Children’s Thinking Visible?

If we see learning as a consequence of thinking, then it is paramount that children have the opportunity and are supported to explore their ideas and thinking during the learning experience.  This allows children to then understand their own…
Intentional teaching leads to purposeful play-based learning

Intentional teaching leads to purposeful play-based learning

Evidence-based intentional teaching, write Anna Razak and Dr Jen Jackson from the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO), can help educators and teachers progress and support children’s learning. It is also important for educators…
Digital documentation vs interaction with children: Finding the right balance

Digital documentation vs interaction with children: Finding the right balance

As an educator and carer, I see digital documentation from the perspectives of both the sender and the receiver. In my work with children, I observe them, document their learning and share it with their families online. On weekends I often care…
Using evidence to improve children’s outcomes

Using evidence to improve children’s outcomes

Written by Zid Mancenido, Senior Manager, Research and Evaluation and Amie Fabry, Senior Researcher at the Australian Education Research Organisation. Hensman Street Elementary in Perth is looking into research on play and inquiry. ‘Our…
It’s time for us to have our say in the Approved Learning Frameworks update

It’s time for us to have our say in the Approved Learning Frameworks update

Governments across Australia have engaged Macquarie University, Queensland University of Technology and Edith Cowan University to lead the 2021 National Quality Framework Approved Learning Frameworks Update project. The aim is to ensure the…
A different view of digital documentation

A different view of digital documentation

Hello from the dark side! With all the talk of using digital platforms in documenting our early learning programs, I feel the need to fly the flag for those with another point of view; those who can’t quite cross over; those who wrestle…
Documentation: Do you document too much, too little or too late?

Documentation: Do you document too much, too little or too late?

ECA recently launched a new series of Learning Hub modules on Digital Documentation and Technology in collaboration with Storypark. We note here that there is no requirement to use digital documentation and if settings choose to engage in digital…
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…
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…