Working in early education and care is an incredibly rewarding job, but the role can come with numerous challenges. This is especially true for educators in charge of children presenting with trauma, self-regulation and behavioural issues, or from challenging home environments. At times it can feel like you’ve tried everything you know of to try to […]
In the lead-up to welcoming children back or embracing new infants and children into services in 2021, it is a timely reminder of the importance of ensuring that your service is ready to implement safe sleep and settling practices. Cindy Davenport, Director of Safe Sleep Space/Sleep Smart shares vital tips for understanding sleep in infants […]
Protecting children from harm is a fundamental part of being an early childhood professional. Preventative education is also crucial and should be an integral part of any child-safe organisation. Early childhood education consultant Nicole Talarico shares how early education professionals can help children to understand that they hold the power when it comes to their bodies […]
Anti-Poverty Week, observed from 11-17 October, is a national campaign to raise awareness for the financial struggles thousands of Australians experience every day. Poverty has far-reaching impacts on Australia’s children, which has only been exacerbated by the pandemic. CELA Research and Policy Manager Megan O’Connell casts further light on disadvantage in the pandemic environment and […]
Children are growing up in a world where anxiety levels have increased, self-confidence has dropped and views on healthy body image have been distorted. How can we inspire young children to have the confidence in themselves to be smart, strong and kind on their own terms and plant the seeds of valuing the things that […]
National Child Protection Week runs from September 6-12. This year, event host National Association for Prevention of Child abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) celebrates 30 years of National Child Protection Week with the theme ‘Putting children first’. Early childhood consultant and child advocate Nicole Talarico shares how we can embrace putting children first, and what we […]
Around Australia, many children are having to visit respiratory clinics instead of their regular family doctor. They may need to undertake a COVID-19 test. This can be confronting to young children, who may arrive to see large tents full of unfamiliar people with clipboards, wearing face masks and other protective clothing. After speaking to a […]
Across Australia, hundreds of thousands of children are attending their final year of early childhood education and care, before starting primary school. This is an important year for four-year-olds, where they continue to develop skills that will assist them in transitioning to school. These skills include playing with other children, regulating emotions and participating in […]
While life is slowly returning to normal in many Australian states, there is still a high level of uncertainty. Early childhood professionals have navigated a pandemic, employment changes, extra duties and major funding changes. Educators may continue to feel stressed during this time. Mental wellbeing is even more important now than ever. Amanda Abel, a […]
Early childhood educators understand the importance of outdoor play: fresh air, vitamin D, gross motor development and connecting with nature. Health precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic have made outdoor play even more desirable, but getting outside in the winter months can be challenging. Children benefit from being outdoors in all but the most extreme weather […]
