Back when I first started teaching (all those years ago!) I used to love to fill the walls of my classroom with an array of children’s art work. But in later years, due to a massive consumption of research around brain development and effective learning environments, I have learnt to encourage educators to strip back their walls, and the clutter in their rooms, to create a calm classroom which promotes learning for all children. It’s an idea that continues to evoke a cringe i

With the introduction of the Early Years Learning Framework (2009) we have seen an increased emphasis on children’s emotional and social...

The Early Years Learning Framework (DEEWR, 2009, p. 13) sets out five principles of early education and the fifth and final one is...

The Early Years Learning Framework (DEEWR, 2009, p. 13) sets out five principles of early education and the fourth is “Respect for...

The Early Years Learning Framework (DEEWR, 2009, p. 12) sets out five principles of early education and the second is “High Expectations...

The Early Years Learning Framework (DEEWR, 2009, p. 12) sets out five principles of early education and the first is “Secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships”. These principles are founded on early childhood research and theory, as are the practices and outcomes. This blog is designed to help educators understand the links between early childhood theory and this first and very important principle of the EYLF, in addition to how this theory has now been reinforced with

With possible changes to sexual consent laws in NSW, the ABC recently interviewed Deanne Carson from Body Safety Australia sparking an...

A strong quality improvement process is integral to achieving your vision for your service. A meaningful process involves all stakeholders i

This week I visited a service on the Central Coast of NSW called Follyfoot Farm Educational Children’s Service. As the name suggests,...

Early childhood is a field which is losing educators every day. Recent studies found one in five educators plan to leave their job in the...

So it is time for your service to go through the assessment and rating process? Try not to let the pressure get to you. Here are some...

When I completed my degree, I did so without a deep understanding of children’s brain development. And, if I’m being honest, I didn’t think I really needed it. I mean, I could teach. I understood theory, developmental milestones, curriculum development - I was ready to go. Then, 5 years ago I went to a two day conference that changed everything for me. The name of the conference was ‘The neurobiology of complex trauma’. Sound complicated? It was, at first. But it was also int

There has been a huge amount of online discussion recently around gender issues in early childhood education. From complex discussion...

As early childhood educators we work in a sector that is under appreciated and underpaid. This is why the latest studies show that 1 in 5...

There is a video on youtube (link at the bottom) which gets under my skin every time I watch it. When I do I am reminded of the awe and...

The age old debate in children’s services around the time available for the completion of documentation vs time spent with children has...

Since the introduction of the National Quality Standard and the Early Years Learning Framework there has been a huge emphasis on...

Before I started to write this blog I attempted to undertake some research in the area first and I found something surprising – the early...