Auslan is short for Australian sign language. It’s a visual form of communication that uses hand, arm and body movements to convey meaning. While it was originally created for the hearing impaired, its incorporation in an early learning environment creates many exciting opportunities for engagement, inclusion and a richer shared culture. Christine Tsang, Director of […]
NAIDOC week (originally scheduled for 5-12 July) may have been postponed for now, but celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is something early education services should be doing every day. Finding ways to celebrate in culturally respectful ways can sometimes be a difficult space to navigate. Educators may […]
‘In this together’, the theme for National Reconciliation Week 2020 (27 May – 3 June), encourages all Australians to reflect on the part they play on our journey towards reconciliation. Fostering an understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander cultures can have a profound and positive effect on children’s future attitudes towards cultural […]
Have you or a colleague experienced workplace bullying? Do you know how to identify it and what to do if it happens? How would you react if you came across a situation where a young child in your care was being bullied? Unfortunately, the ‘caring’ nature of our industry does not mean that it’s immune […]
By Kathryn Albany, Early Childhood Teacher (preschool room), Explore and Develop, Lilyfield In early 2019, educators at our long day care centre decided that we wanted to celebrate family diversity. This was partly to represent the different families in our centre, however we also wanted to model inclusion for all children and families. This is […]
CELA explores how services can be open to and prepared for refugees in their community By Camille Howard Early childhood education and care services can play a significant role in helping refugee children and families cope with the transition of resettlement. To be effective, services need to ensure they adopt a trauma informed approach to […]
“Just how much a child is put at risk by their parent’s mental health difficulties depends on how much support the family has.” A new analysis shows early childhood educators are especially valued by parents with mental health difficulties, who are less likely to have other trusted adults to turn to for advice about their […]
Welcome back to Amplify in 2019. We’re starting the year in traditional style, looking forward and back. Looking ahead, there’s a story tapping into the New Year resolutions many of you are making to improve your own and the children’s physical activity and guess what? Research is saying that improving educator and parent activity is […]
Last week’s article from Sarah Riddell explored what it means to support a child with trauma and suggested actions including building your knowledge of referrals for families to help their children. If you have these contact numbers accessible all of the time, and ideally the name of someone within that support service, you can more […]
Sarah Riddell is an early childhood teacher with a passion for inclusion and a current career goal of sharing her experience and knowledge with colleagues and other peers in the sector. Her first article for Amplify looks at the effects of ‘fidget’ behaviours on children, educators, and of course, the fidgeter themselves. Is the fiddling […]
