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

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

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

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 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...