Outcome 4 of the EYLF mentions the importance of listening carefully to children’s attempts to hypothesise and expand on their thinking through conversation and questioning, in order to help children to become confident and involved learners.

We take a look at how active and reflective listening can be used as tools to help us to hear what children are really telling us, in order to build even better and more trusting relationships. 

Have you heard about the concept of an open playroom and wondered how to get started? 

We spoke to Ruth Harper, Education Lead at East West Childcare and Kindergarten in Fitzroy, to find out about her view on open playrooms, and how her service has adapted to a more flexible approach over the past 5 years in order to empower children to make as many decisions for themselves as possible. 

Last week CELA launched a Pulse Check (a brief online survey) of long day care services, in order to find out how Omicron is affecting their service, teams and families. 

The survey asked about how the outbreak has affected enrolments, attendance, operations and staffing, what the current situation is with regard to staff vacancies, as well as seeking opinions  around RAT testing and how the outbreak is affecting team fatigue. The results will be used to inform our advocacy around these matters.

This week we share a topline summary of the results and make a plea to Government to address the ever present workforce issues that have only been exacerbated over the past two years. 

Every day, the safety and wellbeing of many children across Australia is threatened by child abuse and neglect. The evidence clearly shows that children are more likely to be abused by someone they know, rather than a stranger, which has led to discussions around stranger danger talks being outdated.

As educators, we play a vital role in the education and intervention of child abuse. So, should we still be talking about stranger danger? Or should we be focusing more on people within their family and social groups?

Award winning teacher and children's author Renee Irving-Lee shares her thoughts on the topic. 
 

CELA member Rise & Shine Kindergarten recently launched an exciting new initiative called the Orbit-Centre of Imagination, a children’s interactive STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) hub located behind their Summer Hill service in Sydney.

Children can explore ten exciting areas which include a 3D printer, microscope, discovery centre, lego zone and interactive sand box.  

We spoke with Curriculum Practice Manager Debbie Andriopoulos to find out more about the hub, which incorporates the principles of inquiry based learning and has been developed in conjunction with STEM PD provider Little Scientists. 

Educators and parents usually cringe when a child shouts out the phrase “but that’s not fair!”

What is it about those words that really get on our nerves?

We tend to assume that the child is being overly dramatic, petty, or unreasonable. But fairness is a challenging concept for even adults to understand, so it's no wonder that young children struggle to cope when things don’t seem to be going their way.

Author and award winning teacher Renee Irving Lee explores the topic.

Secure attachment relationships are vital to child development, but they take time and commitment. As we continue to face challenges due to the pandemic and extreme weather events, forming secure attachments becomes more important than ever. 

Relationships expert and CELA Circle of Security™ facilitator Michelle Cuthbertson shares the importance of educators as attachment figures, how attachment can support learning outcomes, and how we can reflect on behaviour through the attachment lens.