This edition of Rattler begins with a moving story about CELA member St John’s Catholic Preschool and Long Daycare. Located in the Western Sydney suburb of Auburn, the service’s families were recently subjected to some of Australia’s harshest lockdown rules. Director Cindy Adams and her team have been working tirelessly during the lockdown to support the many CALD, refugee and asylum seeking families who attend. Find out what they’ve been doing to help and how your service may also be able to help by offering a space to a child of a family seeking asylum.
Educator Rachel Ho invites us to reflect on how we communicate and interact with children in order to practice respect, while Dr Debra Williams shares the second of three articles with a focus on critical reflection (how to implement critical reflection using the SCHEMED approach).
Research and policy advisor Megan O'Connell summarises a selection of early education and care research from around the world, while Dr Yeshe Colliver explores how we can integrate a play-based approach to physical activity in ECEC settings.
Writer Gemma Patience interviews psychologist Sarah-Jayne Duryea to share why fostering intrinsic motivation is important in the early years, while Tracey Long reveals what the 'halo effect' is, and why educators should be aware of it.
This insightful and thought-provoking edition wraps up with an article from writer Adeline Teoh on the topic of 'sticky fingers' - exploring why young children take things that aren't theirs, and what we can do about it.
We hope that you enjoy this edition and we look forward to connecting with you over the coming months as we support you through the continuing pandemic situation.
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