Amplify! Blog

This Friday is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day, with a theme of  "Little Voices, Loud Futures", raising awareness of the bright futures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and the potential for their voices to pave a new path for our nation. 

We explore how early childhood educators can use The Uluru Statement from the Heart to inform their everyday practice and pedagogy, ensuring that First Nations children have the chance to "be proud and empowered by their culture to speak their truth and be listened to by all Australians." (SNAICC)

Minister for Education Jason Clare set out an ambitious reform agenda at his National Press Club speech, painting education as the great equaliser and the foundation for Australia’s economic success.

From additional university study hubs to extended funding for First Nations students, this article explores his ambitious education reform agenda, and how the proposed changes could shape our nation's future.

Should we be writing on children’s artwork? 

Is it appropriate to interpret and comment on a child’s work?  

Tertiary early childhood educator Nadia Latin (formerly an ECT) explores how we can respect children's art so that we nurture creativity and autonomy. 
 

Minister for Education Jason Clare has set out an ambitious reform agenda at his National Press Club speech today, painting education as the great equaliser and the foundation for Australia’s economic success.

Find out why it matters and what's next. 

Research shows that numeracy learning is an even stronger predictor of life success than literacy. So, it's important that we look for ways to extend children's learning in this area. 

CELA Early Learning Manager and PhD candidate Jo Grimmond tells us how mathematics is approached in the EYLF V2.0, and shares four fun early mathematical games you can play with children today. 
 

Critical reflection and ongoing professional learning is one of the underpinning principles of the EYLF V2.0, with critical reflection being mentioned 20 times throughout the framework.

Critical reflection can sometimes feel challenging because it involves questioning our beliefs and biases. In addition, it requires time and effort to engage in deep self-awareness and analysis.

CELA early education specialist Rachel Ho reflects on what it means to critically reflect, why it's important for professional growth, and how we can integrate it more seamlessly into everyday practice. 

Kootingal and District Preschool Director Jess Rankins shares how a desire to connect families with support services led to an upcoming NAIDOC Week community day celebration, in conjunction with families, community, and the local Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiative.

Are you a rural/remote service receiving CCS or a First Nations owned and controlled service? 

The Australian Government announced a Professional Development and Paid Practicum Subsidies (program) as part of the 2023-24 Budget. The program is one of a number of urgent actions to help support the skills and training of early childhood education and care (ECEC) educators by expanding access to quality professional development. 

Applications opened on 3 July and include rural/remote services receiving CCS and First Nations owned and controlled services. Find out how CELA can help you to make the most of this grant to boost your team’s skills.  

What if we re-framed what's traditionally been thought of as "attention-seeking" behaviour to see it as a child’s way of seeking connection? 

CELA Learning and Development Specialist Kerrie Maguire explains how this simple reframe can help educators to react differently and build crucial connections with the children who need us most.

The Federal Government has released its draft Strategy for the Care and Support Economy for public consultation.

This strategy outlines how paid care and support should work across aged care, disability support, veterans’ care and early childhood education and care sectors, and covers a range of themes including workforce, pricing and payments, digital and innovation, and quality and safe guards.

CELA will continue to provide input to the draft Strategy for the Care and Support Economy on behalf of its members. Find out why it matters and how you can have your say.