Telling stories is our oldest form of teaching. Long before we could write, our ancestors passed knowledge from generation to generation through oral stories which gave answers to our largest questions surrounding creation, life and the afterlife. Children’s author Victoria Mackinlay shares how developing storytelling skills can benefit young children, along with some practical and […]
Dinosaurs are a popular topic for children of all ages. These incredible creatures spark children’s imagination and curiosity, and they offer endless learning opportunities. We speak to Fiona Brell of the Australian Museum about what makes them a great teaching tool and provide 6 ideas for dinosaur play to inspire you. When children follow their […]
A new curriculum is available in Australia that aims to teach children kindness. The Kindness Curriculum is available for children of all ages and has been designed to complement existing curriculums. There is a specific section for children aged birth to five years that links to The Early Years Learning Framework. The Kindness Curriculum is […]
Outdoor Classroom Day is a global initiative that promotes outdoor learning and love for the natural world. Children are spending more time indoors compared to previous generations, and academic learning is often prioritised over free play outside. Each year there are two dedicated outdoor classroom days. The next is on the 5th of November 2020, […]
Beth Sebesfi is an early childhood teacher and mother of three young daughters. From time to time she shares with us the professional insights arising from her personal experiences with children at work and home. Today’s story is a reflection on intention versus learning outcomes, particularly when it comes to artistic expression in early education […]
Sensory play helps babies and toddlers learn about the diverse and complex world around them. Educators can plan activities that encourage young children to use their five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. Popular sensory activities include finger painting and bubbles. Here are eight more activities, including their learning outcomes and links to the […]
Fine motor skills are essential for handwriting, as they allow children to make small movements using the muscles in their hands. Educators can support preschoolers in learning to write by including a wide range of fine motor experiences throughout their program. We spoke with paediatric occupational therapist Margaret Olney to find out how early educators […]
Back in 2017, Amplify shared an interview with Bambini of Lilyfield centre director Anmol Lohia, whose powerful belief in creative arts education had led to many positive outcomes for the children at the centre, and the local community. This included a fundraising event where artworks created by the children helped to raise thousands of dollars […]
School readiness. Are there two words more likely to provoke ‘lively discussion’ in any group of early childhood educators? Then if you bring some parents and school teachers into the group, and add another two words – say, ‘standardised testing’ – that discussion will almost certainly escalate from ‘lively’ to ‘heated’. School readiness as a […]
Annie O’Sullivan returns to Amplify with a wonderful (and wonder-full) contemplation on intentional teaching, play-based learning, mathematics, sciences, and puddles. Not sure how all of that comes together? Read on! Annie’s story covers theory and practice around connections with children and makes use of the puddles that naturally occur in many children’s services and schools […]
