Amplify! Blog

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.

When we think about early learning for environmental sustainability the first things that come to mind for many are improving recycling, reducing waste and setting up a compost bin or worm farm. But there’s so much more that can be done.

CELA is pleased to support Thrive by Five, a new community movement sponsored by the Minderoo Foundation. Thrive by Five calls for an accessible, quality early childhood education system.

Auslan is short for Australian sign language. It’s a visual form of communication that uses hand, arm and body movements to convey meaning.

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’.

Tours and orientations of early learning services are important for both educators and families and can be an emotional and much-anticipated experience.  However, conducting tours and orientations during COVID-19 brings a whole new raft of challenges.

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.

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.

As the COVID-19 resurgence continues in Victoria, and with cases appearing across parts of New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland, the issue of wearing face masks is again a focus of discussion. Masks have been compulsory in Victoria for educators when greeting parents and working away from children, but are not currently mandated when an educator is working with children. 

Tours and orientations of early learning services are important for both educators and families and can be an emotional and much-anticipated experience.  However, conducting tours and orientations during COVID-19 brings a whole new raft of challenges.