Skye Children’s Cooperative (Skye) is an early childhood education and care (ECEC) service built on the homeland of the of the greater Kulin Nation. Opened in 1988, Skye has always operated as a community not-for-profit service with all profits reinvested back into the centre for the benefit of the children and the community. For more…
Even if you aren’t working at a Reggio Emilia-inspired early childhood education and care service, there are plenty of ideas from this acclaimed approach that you can use in your own early learning environment. Photo by michael podger on Unsplash What is Reggio Emilia? Reggio Emilia is a globally-acclaimed approach to early learning which originated…
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 and teachers to incorporate the intentionality of children and their families into their planning for children’s learning. Intentional teaching is an important…
The 25th of November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (IDEVW), which also launches UNiTE! Activism to End Violence against Women & Girls—an initiative of 16 days of activism concluding on 10 December. Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash This campaign, led by the UN Secretary-General and UN Women since…
I recently read the book The Enchanted Hour (Gurdon, 2019) in which the author recalls what novelist Kate DiCamillo once said to her: ‘We let down our guard when someone we love is reading us a story … We exist together in a little patch of warmth and light’. Image: supplied, Darren Halim These words…
Three to five year olds love to engage with music and movement and naturally enjoy singing, dancing, exploring sound sources, listening and being creative. At this age, children also experience many great advances in development. Music education can be extremely beneficial in supporting this development, helping children establish crucial physical and social–emotional skills. It can…
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 for my nieces Zoe and Chloe and catch up with their mother, my…
I have worked in the early childhood profession for many years. First, as an educator in a variety of different settings and now as a university lecturer and researcher. I have always valued the importance of relationships with children and always worked hard to build and nourish these with children, families and co-workers. However, the…
At the 2022 Early Childhood Australia National Conference, there was a noticeable interest in body, gender and sexuality diversity (BGSD). BGSD interests are relevant to all early childhood education and care settings. Identity, including body, gender and sexuality, features prominently in Belonging, Being & Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (EYLF), and Canadian…
Early Learning Matters Week is a vital opportunity to celebrate the importance of early learning and the work that early childhood educators do. Universal access to high-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) benefits all young children, but it particularly benefits those at risk of poor education achievement. More than 90% of brain development occurs…