A recent conversation with one of my students, Justine, got me thinking! As we talked about allowing children to take risks in their play as well as opportunities to make decisions about their play, this led us on to talk about could children be part of "risk assessment" in our services? Justine shared with me a strategy she used in one of … [Read more...]
Early Childhood Learning
Here you'll find great bits of information on early childhood learning. Find out what's happening in the industry and around Australia. Keep informed and up to date with early childhood learning. Education is everything, and if you are or are interested in becoming a childcare expert, its best to educate yourself first. It's such a fascinating world. We hope you gain some insight into it.
The Common Cold
We are getting close to that time of year when children are coming into our services with coughs, runny noses and medication! According to the Children's Youth and Women's Health Service, children get around 6-10 colds per year, with the highest number usually being during the first two years in child care, kindergarten or school. There are … [Read more...]
The Importance of Water Play for Children
We often tell families about the importance and outcomes of play. However have you ever seriously considered and reflected on children’s play and the opportunities you provide to achieve these outcomes. Let’s look at water play… We usually only provide this type of exploratory, sensory play in the warmer months however water play really should be … [Read more...]
Superhero Play- Creative or Chaotic?
We often tell families about the importance and outcomes of play. However we often think negatively about Superhero play, we re-direct and ask children, in so many words, to engage in “real” play. But have you ever seriously considered and reflected on the importance and significance of children’s Superhero play? I have fond memories of taking … [Read more...]
Creative Arts & Brain Development in Children
How you view art and creative development will have a significant impact upon how to design your creative art experiences and spaces, hence impact upon children’s brain development, self-esteem and mental health. Let's think about the brain. Research suggests that while the right hemisphere controls muscles on the left side of your body, it … [Read more...]
The Importance of Outdoor Play for Children
The Importance of playing outside… even when it’s cold!! We all know time outside enjoying fresh air and sunshine is important for children and has many health benefits, however why do we stop outside play when it gets cold or when the sun disappears? There are many “myths” around the weather such as playing in the cold will give you a … [Read more...]
Environmental Sustainability – it’s Children’s Business!
We are all aware of the phrases “global warming”, “going green” and “sustainability” and there are debates over whether global warming is a true fact or sensationalised by the media. Whatever your take on this phenomenon, we should all agree that teaching young children about sustainability and caring for the environment, regardless of your … [Read more...]
Supporting Protective Behaviours in Young Children
According to Australian Government (FAHCSIA) “Protective behaviours’ refers to a proactive and empowering set of preventative and adaptable living skills that enable people to develop workable strategies to better help them preserve their physical and emotional safety in unsafe, or potentially unsafe situations” Consider this statement in the … [Read more...]
Supporting Literacy Development in Children
From birth children are developing the knowledge and skills that are important foundations for later literacy development, even though it may be some time before they will develop the skills to read, write and verbally communicate in the conventional way. As educators we need to support the development of children’s emerging literacy skills … [Read more...]
Children’s Health & Well-being
Child health and childhood obesity are two related aspects of early childhood care and education that have been the focus of a lot of attention recently. There are many issues which impact on the health and well-being of young children. In my work with children and early childhood services, educators are reporting family poor eating habits, … [Read more...]
