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‘Stretched time’ in early childhood education and care - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
Sometimes a question can stay with you: ‘Are we making the best use of children’s time?’ This was Chloe Kerr1’s question after an In Service day in Shetland last year about slow pedagogies. Chloe’s question is key to reconsidering the relationship with time in early childhood education and care (ECEC). This has been the focus […]
Responsive language: Alternative language with real life situations - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
The words we use daily with children matter. How we communicate and the words we use with children has a great effect on the relationships we build with them. UNICEF (n.d.) explains that ‘Every interaction you have with your child is a form of communication. It’s not just about the words you say: The tone […]
Why I will always choose to teach in early childhood - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
Recently I was asked to speak at a career expo for pre-service early childhood teachers preparing to transition to the field. I guess the universe heard me loud and clear when I said I was ready to say ‘yes’ to new challenges and things that terrify me (like public speaking and playing team sports) in […]
Digital Child Ethics Toolkit: Considerations for research - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
It is naive to think our young children are growing up in the same way that adults did. Young children today are growing up in a digital world, and a vast range of digital technologies are shaping young people’s lives, learning and wellbeing. More research is needed into how digital technologies have affected child health, […]
A time to educate, not celebrate: 26 January - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
The date 26 January holds a complex place in Australia’s history. While some celebrate it as Australia Day, this date also marks a day of mourning for First Nations people as the date the first British colonies landed, starting centuries of mistreatment and displacement for Aboriginal people. In early childhood education this day presents an […]
Graduation practice isn’t in the EYLF. - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
It was early December 2023, and I was talking with a colleague, a Tertiary Supervisor visiting student pre-service teachers on their first ECEC placement. The student she had visited that day was experiencing a challenge. As with most practicums, the student was required to observe and document play and learning and then develop and evaluate […]
Understanding the connection between mind and body: Why is movement important for the developing child? - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
An internationally recognised stereotype of modern Australia is that of athletes, weekend sports and physically active citizens enjoying the sun outdoors. However, when we begin to delve deep into the research and studies in relation to physical literacy, we realise that Australia is a nation in crisis within all stages of childhood. For example, Australia’s […]
The Leap - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
Imagine traveling 2 plane flights and over 8 hours to your first teaching job- with little people who spoke a different language and who were from a different cultural background to you. You might be forgiven for thinking that the scenario I am creating was set in Asia or Eastern Europe. But this adventure takes place […]
Rethinking 'School Readiness': It's Time for Schools to Be Ready - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
‘School readiness’ programs are advertised across the nation, with some early learning services and preschools promising to provide children with literacy and numeracy skills for a head start in school. On social media, parents frantically seek recommendations on where to send their children to ‘get ready’ for school. Educators arm themselves with worksheets and a […]
Early Childhood Learning Trajectories: What, why, how? - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
ACECQA data show us that the most challenging quality area for ECEC services to meet is QA1: Educational Program and Practice. Within QA1, Element 1.3.1, Assessment and Planning Cycle is the most likely element to be awarded a ‘not met’ rating[1]. In Australia, educators and teachers are required to implement the principles of curriculum planning […]
“This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before”. (Maya Angelou) - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
The privilege of working with our youngest citizens. The engine room of any organisation is the most important and influential. This is where the key driving force for ongoing propulsion happens. Everything moves forward when this room is in full operational mode. Working in the infant toddler environment in a long day care setting is […]
Children’s wellbeing and literacy – how they go hand in hand. - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
Early childhood is an undeniably critical life stage. Decades of research and neuroscience supports this and the knowledge that quality early education and care (ECEC) programs are beneficial for children’s learning and development (OECD, 2017; Shonkoff, 2010). We also know that, alongside academics, we can (and should) be working towards wellbeing outcomes for children in […]
Growing in Early Childhood Education - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
Pleasurable food education sparks a sense of wonder and connection among children and young people, helping them explore the world of delicious, wholesome food through enjoyable, interactive experiences. This journey equips children and young people with useful abilities, a fondness for seasonal ingredients, and a joyful, self-assured, and nourishing bond with food. It starts with […]
Why Is It Important to Make Children’s Thinking Visible? - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
If we see learning as a consequence of thinking, then it is paramount that children have the opportunity and are supported to explore their ideas and thinking during the learning experience. This allows children to then understand their own thinking process. Meaningful learning takes place when children are fully engaged in the ideas of the […]
Early Learning Matters Every Day, But It's Critically Important Right Now - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
Early Learning Matters Week reminds us of the critical importance of high-quality early childhood education and care. As the week comes to a close, it is a timely reminder to consider the significance of current policy interest in the early years and, while early learning matters every day – it is critical right now. It’s […]
‘Professional love’ in early childhood education: The transformative power of emotional connections - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
The concept of ‘professional love’ in early childhood education and care has been gaining momentum as educators and researchers recognise its profound impact on young children’s development and wellbeing. Dr Jools Page, a respected expert in the sector, has dedicated her research to exploring the significance of emotional connections between educators and children. As she […]
Setting the record straight on misguided claims about ECEC and the value of qualified educators - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
The piece ‘Maybe childcare staff need fewer degrees?’ by Aaron Patrick in the AFR July 12 2024 is both ill-informed and misleading. If you haven’t seen it, here is the abridged version – the commercial childcare industry is charging inflated prices hurting families because of rules that ‘force centres to hire more, better-educated staff’ and ‘ratio rules […]
A new study of Warlpiri language shows how ‘baby talk’ helps [children] learn to speak - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
Parents and other caregivers typically modify their speech when they talk to babies and young children. They use simple sentences and special words, like “nana” for banana. They also speak slowly, use a higher pitch, and exaggerate the ups and downs of the “tune” of their speech. In many languages, caregivers also exaggerate their vowels in a […]
Early educators around the world feel burnt out and devalued. Here’s how we can help Early educators around the world feel burnt out and devalued. Here’s how we can help
South Australia’s royal commission into early childhood education has released an interim report. The key recommendation is preschool for all three-year-olds.
Dare to dreams—An early years strategy and the unwavering rights of the child - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
The future of Australia relies on developing a strong vision for the early years. This vision should reflect the needs of children, families and the community, focusing on improving positive outcomes for all children. As a signatory to the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (1989), Australia is bound by a profound […]
A guide to the environment as the ‘third teacher’ - The Spoke – Early Childhood Australia's Blog
Are you curious about why the environment is called the ‘third teacher’? This concept rose in popularity through the global growth and influence of the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy. The founder, Loris Malaguzzi, said there are three teachers of children—adults, other children and their physical environment. How does the environment ‘teach’ children? The Reggio Emilia […]
‘Stay and Play’ at the QUT Children's Technology Centre during Live Wires
During the 2023 Live Wires Digital Technology Forum, we invite you to take part in one of our ‘Stay and Play’ sessions at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Children’s Technology Centre on the fourth floor of the Education Building at the Kelvin Grove campus.