Being a great colleague is about much more than signing each other’s Birthday cards, sharing content from professional development and having each other’s backs to cover shifts —as early childhood professionals there are a range of professional and legal obligations we have to each other. Our employers also have obligations to protect our welfare. Here’s […]
The Dictionary of Psychology (1999) defines stereotyping as an ‘over-generalised’ belief that people from a certain group will behave in a certain way. Our brains nurture stereotypes because they help us to rapidly respond to other people. It’s a form of prediction: a temptation to think we can see a little into the future by […]
Our nation has recently been exposed to catastrophic fire, drought, dust storms and hail the size of golf balls. These extreme weather conditions have impacted greatly on the health and wellbeing of many of our members, their local communities and the wider population. It’s important that you know that the CELA team is here to […]
There are many benefits to introducing water play both in connecting children to a natural element and opportunities for learning. However, the current drought and water restrictions across much of Australia mean early childhood services need to be especially careful about how they set up water play. The crucial question is, “How can early childhood […]
The beginning of 2020 has brought much devastation across Australia. CELA CEO Michele Carnegie has seen first-hand the impact of widespread loss throughout communities on the south coast of NSW and heard stories of fear, near misses, courage and humanity. “The fires have been fought by communities and it will be the strength of communities […]
We enter 2020 applauding early childhood educators for their integral role in striving for better educational outcomes for children across Australia. Amplify puts a spotlight on a range of recent reports and government releases that affirm how far the early childhood sector has come, and its vital importance to children and their families. In November […]
How do we teach the children of Australia about the realities of drought and the importance of water, while still being optimistic? Rural woman, mother and artist Amy Naef wanted children who were affected by drought to have something that was matter of fact but hopeful, and for children, families and educators to increase their […]
The Australian Council of State School Organisations, or ACSSO, is one of Australia’s longest operating peak bodies for education. Formed in 1947, ACSSO represents the families of more than 2.4 million children in government schools around the country. While traditionally focused on primary and secondary school aged children, in the past 18 months ACSSO has […]
Me-time or ‘meh’ time? One thing we know (and research backs it up) is that in so-called caring professions like education, people find it even more difficult to create ‘me-time’ or the kind of self-care that rejuvenates flagging spirits and revives tired bodies. We often find it hard to follow the oxygen mask advice […]
It’s a common enough realisation: you’re standing at the end of year barbeque or concert, chatting to one of the regular parents you see in your service most weeks, while looking at a crowd of unfamiliar adult faces. Grandparents might be there, and aunties, uncles, older siblings… but most of all, there are those parents […]
