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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…
‘I wish I was small enough’, How could a green screen make this a reality?

‘I wish I was small enough’, How could a green screen make this a reality?

‘I wish I was small enough to go inside the house!’ (Audrey, age 4) Statements like this open the door to think differently about how children engage with technology. Why couldn’t they shrink and jump into or out of an imaginary world…
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…
Preparing children for 21st century success: seven key skills

Preparing children for 21st century success: seven key skills

Internationally recognised paediatrician, author and social entrepreneur Dr Laura Jana says early childhood is everybody’s business. She is on a mission to change the paradigm and the public conversation about the skills needed for success…
Music education and play-based learning

Music education and play-based learning

Australian early learning settings follow a play-based pedagogy, in line with the emphasis placed on play in the national frameworks. Music is not a core part of this pedagogy, perhaps because of the perception that music education is about…
Leading play-based pedagogies

Leading play-based pedagogies

In this article, Lennie Barblett, Sandra Cheeseman and Catharine Hydon emphasise children’s right to learn through play no matter the age. Additionally, they suggest that all educators lead and be articulate in their advocacy of play-based…
STEM Superstars in early childhood education

STEM Superstars in early childhood education

Sixty accomplished women in science, technology, engineering and maths and technology have been announced as Australia’s newest Superstars of STEM. The Superstars of STEM program, supported by the Australian Government’s Department of…
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?…
A face for early childhood teaching?

A face for early childhood teaching?

Do you have the face for early childhood teaching? The importance of early childhood educators being aware of the relationship between their face and the child’s recently struck KAREN HOPE. In this piece, Karen takes a closer look at this,…
Professional love

Love and care—where has it gone in early years practice?

We constantly use the term education and care in early childhood, but what does care mean? DR LIZ ROUSE and DR FAY HADLEY explore the ideas and the research in this ‘hotly debated’ topic. Are educators expected to have ‘professional…
Play is vital for children’s mental health and wellbeing

Play is vital for children’s mental health and wellbeing

Originally posted in 2015, this post was updated in August 2020.  Play helps children to develop healthy bodies, minds, social and emotional capacities, thinking and learning abilities. Play is essential for children. Play can be pretending,…