#EarlyChildhoodAustralia

[speechandsmile]

💙😎 Filling Say & Play I SPY Kits this morning! One of my favorite Communication Kits to assemble! 💙So many engaging uses and ways to use this kit in instruction. This one is headed to 🇦🇺! More available in the Speech & Smile ETSY shop! 💙 Includes an amazing resin I SPY CIRCLE from @backtobasicscurriculum #speechandsmile #sayandplay #ispy #speechtherapy #speechtherapyideas #ispycircle #resinart #etsyshop #shopsmallbusiness #earlychildhoodaustralia #playbasedlearning #speechtherapyfun (at Petoskey, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CciYlhJuwIY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thegracefront]

#childcare #parent #gracefront #earlychildhoodeducation #earlychildhoodaustralia #earlychildhoodtraining https://www.instagram.com/p/CC3AeEPAK6m/?igshid=ahhzaxav0x22

[jm-tafeblog-blog]

Policies in Early Childhood Education

In general a policy will contain the ff. : -Name>allows policy to be easily identified -Version control details>clearly indicate the version number and/or date of the policy,which allows the service to track changes made to policies over time -Aim or objecive>gives the purpose of the policy..example: to comply with the organisation’s regulatory requirements or health regulations

Policies developed in Children’s education & care services reflect the legal requirements & responsibilities set down in the Regulations or other legislative Requirements

HOW A POLICY IS SET OUT

RATIONALE : provides a relevant framework for th policy. E.G in sun protection policy,raitonale would cinldue a statement in relation to what is known about the risk of skin damage by harmful UV rays

RELEVANT LEGISLATION : Identifies the legislative requirements to which the policy applies

SCOPE OF THE POLICY:To whom & under what circumstances does the policy apply? example ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS POLICY APPLY TO ALL CHILDREN & EDUCATORS

RELEVANT DEFINITIONS-if needed clear definitions can be included to avoid misunderstanding . For instance,in the case of Administration of Medications Policy..it is essential to define what is ‘medicines’ does this include over the counter medications & herbal remedies as well as prescription medications?

STRATEGIES AND PRACTICES:the how to of the policy,sets out the procedure to be followed for implementation. Procedures need to be written clearly & concisely,easy to understand to Educators and SHOULD NOT BE 

OPEN TO MISINTERPRETATION..for example…Children should wash their hands regularly….REGULARLY can be open to interpretation so it should be written as “Children should was their hands on arrival,before eating,after toiling or nappy change,after playing outside after wiping their nose and before going home”

REFERENCES:Provide references that relate to the implementation procedure will assist in keeping policies up to date…for example with the hand washing procedures there might be a reference to the staying healthy publication by the National Health and Medical Research Council..makes it clear that the procedures are based on current practice..VERIFIES THAT IT IS CURRENT

RESOURCES-Having a short list of resources on a specific topic or practice can also be valuable as it provides easy access to additional information or background reading for those who use the policy

[getreadyforschoolaustralia-blog]

Are you ready to ignite your families love of learning? Fun at-home learning activities our what we are all about. Shop the link in our bio @getreadyforschoolaustralia . . . . #earlychildhoodaustralia #getreadyforschool #motherhoodrising #getreadyforschoolaustralia #invitationtolearn #invitationtoplay #mumswithhustle #aussiemums #brandrepsearchau #kidsactivities #motherhoodunplugged #mumlife #parentingskills #schoolready #sensoryplay #play #childhoodunplugged #woodentoys #education #mummyblog #getreadyforschool #getreadyforschoolaustralia #kidsactivities #qualitytime #learningthroughplay #learningisfun #adelaidemums #melbournemums (at Sydney, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzz6xBXhxbZ/?igshid=30wn0lfln5ny

[sticksandstoneseducation]

||Rabbits and Easter|| From 1999-2015 I had house rabbits. Luna(tic), Spare Rabbit and Bumble are featured here in this collage. I also shared my heart with Chino, Russia Kissy-Face, bruiser Vanilla and his sweet brother Bean. Bumble was my BIG love though. My special boy. And I still miss him 9 years later. I’m actually choking up now typing this! Get yourself together Gaby! He passed away from old age in March 2010. Luna was the smallest with the MOST attitude ever. You can see her here on my dining table 🐇😂. I’ve written a few articles for @communityearlylearning ’s blog Amplify so I’d love for you to check them out. Rabbits are amazing companion animals but they are a HUGE commitment for up to a decade. @houserabbitsociety has some amazing articles on rabbit health, wellbeing and care. And a big shoutout to the amazing @becncall from @unyuckyfamilies who is the editor for CELA’s blog Amplify for pulling my ramble together. Happy Easter 💕 #sticksandstoneseducation #earlychildhoodeducator #earlychildhoodteacher #earlychildhoodaustralia #australianearlychildhood #eylf #eylfoutcome1 #eylfoutcome2 #eylfoutcome3 #eylfoutcome4 #eylfoutcome5 #houserabbits #housetabbit #petsinchildcare (at Homebush, New South Wales, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwdk_TrhXAb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=l1dk0xlycfpl

[sabirinhersi0052]

Importance of Nature Based Learning

The importance of outdoor play for young children's healthy development

Research highlights how important play is for a child’s development. Play helps support a child in all the developmental domains. Outdoor play gives children the opportunity to be free, move and connect with nature. The article highlights how outdoor play promotes physical activity, increases attention span, and well being. It is also important to understand how time and space can affect play experiences when designing an outdoor education project. Due to fear, technology, globalization, and urban growth children are spending less time outdoors and more time in structured activities. Therefore, children’s outdoor time has been significantly reduced. With the outdoor education project, teachers are better trained in outdoor play, have more team meeting and observations of play. This incorporates the importance of contact with natural elements such as natural loose parts. The importance of risk and the opportunity to allow children to participate in more risky activities. It includes opportunities for socialization, where children are free to be themselves and engage with peers. Additionally, professionals and families can work to promote outdoor play experiences and help develop quality outdoor practices. (Bentoa & Diasb, 2017)

Engaging Parents in Children’s Outdoor Learning: A Win-Win Proposition

It is important to include parents in a child’s learning environment because they play a role in a child’s development. In Nature Explore Classrooms, parents play a key part as they raise money, volunteer and share learning time. This helps parents see all the benefits of nature based learning. For instance, parents learn to appreciate and value their time outside. They might also be encouraged to spend their time (outside of school hours) outdoors with their children. Parents tend to be more aware of the value of loose parts and unstructured play. Additionally, parents are engaging with educators and building those relationships. It is important to support parent engagement to help support children’s overall learning and help parents understand the importance of nature based learning. (Gilliam, 2016)

Community Engagement

A community is when people come together to build relationships and connections. Creating a sense of community helps child development. Children build their social/emotional skills as they feel safe and develop a sense of belonging. It is important to help children make those connections with the world around them, so they can find their place and feel welcomed. Community engagement is different in different environments. At the Gamumbi Early Childhood Education Centre, they created a community garden that included fruit trees, vegetable, and herb gardens in an outdoor learning environment. Engaging with the community can help you connect to the outside world. (Touhill, 2012)

Bentoa, G., & Diasb, G. (2017). The importance of outdoor play for young children's healthy development. Retrieved from sciencedirect: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2444866416301234

Gilliam, S. (2016, October 13). Engaging Parents in Children’s Outdoor Learning: A Win-Win Proposition. Retrieved from NatureExplore: https://natureexplore.org/engaging-parents-childrens-outdoor-learning-win-win-proposition-2/

Touhill, L. (2012).Community Engagment . Retrieved from earlychildhoodaustralia: http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/nqsplp/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/NQS_PLP_E-Newsletter_No47.pdf

[sticksandstoneseducation]

Because coffee. That is all. #coffeethendothings #sticksandstoneseducation #smallbusinesslife #earlychildhoodaustralia #earlychildhoodeducator #earlychildhoodteacher #teachertribe #teachersfollowingteachers #teacherlife https://www.instagram.com/p/BwI0PcBBjLD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=amz20vn9ym99

[jm-tafeblog-blog]

Cultural Safety & Daily Practices

This is a task I did in my Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care

✨🤓✍🏾 The task focuses on how to act in a kindergarten setting with Culturally safe practices & values🤗

HOW WOULD I EMBED CULTURAL SAFETY INTO YOUR DAILY WORK PRACTICES & HOW YOU SUPPORT CHILDREN’S CULTURAL IDENTITY?

In relation to creating environments that support children’s cross cultural understanding & relationships:  

As a Kindergarten teacher, I would make a culturally supportive environment by making myself aware of all the kids’ cultural backgrounds & religions. If I am aware of their cultural backgrounds & religions,I will be aware of any special requests.

This may be sourced from enrolment sheets which the parents fill up upon singing up their kid to childcare. I would also have my fellow kindergarten staff, expand their knowledge on children and their cultural backgrounds by finding out details of their native tongue practised at home,the type of cuisine they eat at home,when their parents moved to Australia,any help they may need with adjusting to life in Australia if they are new (counselling,English translation services,refugee support,etc.). 

In relation to promoting trusting relationships,respectful interactions,understandings of alternate world view & celebrations of diversity:

As a Kindergarten teacher, I would promote trusting relationships by not tolerating any form of racism or hate speech. Secondly,celebrating diversity can be done through enacting a Happy Culture Day. During the Happy Culture  day,I would encourage children to come into their respective rooms & playgroups wearing their cultural dresses. Further to this,other ways to celebrate diversity would be singing songs in different tongues. I could perform Twinkle Twinkle in Spanish,or Heads,Shoulders,Knees and toes in Waddawurrung language. Moreover,I would always read culturally enriching children’s books to children during group tie sessions. Picture Books are a superb way to explain to kids about culture through pictures.

In using inclusive language,and ensuring ethical and culturally sensitive interactions with children and families

As a kindergarten teacher,i would form a list if I were to run a centre,of the different dominant languages spoken by the parents whose children are enrolled int he centre. 

These dominant languages would be useful to keep in mind as I make  newsletters,cause I could translate it into those languages. Furthermore,greeting sings such as WELCOME OR HELLO can be translated into several different languages to make the different nationalities feel welcome.

[jm-tafeblog-blog]

CHCECE007 Develop positive and respectful relationships with children:Class task

Here is my class task that I did for my Cert. 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care Course...posting it here for other students out there to use! ✍🏾✨

Read through it if you are curious about how a Childcare Educator should respond to particular scenarios. These are scenarios that were given to me by my teacher & the task was to write up how I would respond as an Early Childhood Educator. 

DISCLAIMER: I reworded a lot of the scenarios my teacher gave to make it easier for others to understand...these aren’t all the scenarios given as well,I only chose to include some

SCENARIO 1:A 4 year old girl is throwing sand to the sky in the sandpit and watching it fall. The girl repeats the action but this time the sand lands near other children,you are concerned the sand will wrongly land somewhere.

What are 3 things about the situation you may need to consider before choosing how you might respond?  I would consider the 4 year old’s level of understanding for my potential solution/explanation. I would consider whether my potential response is age appropriate. I would also consider the safety risks at hand,since sand getting thrown onto children’s eyes is a hazard.

How do you think you might respond? I would respond firstly by telling the 4 year old that he/she seems to be having fun. I don’t just want to go in and criticise him for throwing sand since he is at the age where he enjoys cause and effect + sensory play. Throwing sand is developing her motor and sensory skills…as an educator I need to take note of that.

Since I am concerned about the other children getting sand in their eyes,I would gauge in the situation if it would be possible to have the other children play on another end of the sandpit…that way the 4 year old can still continue to throw sand but not potentially have the sand land in other children’s eyes. If I were to have the other children move I would ensure that this would not disrupt their playing,because if I disrupt their playing I would disrupt their learning.

Scenario 2

A 5 year old boy refuses to wash his hands for lunch time. He keeps saying ‘NO I DON’T LIKE!’ ‘NO WASHING HANDS!’ I DON’T WANT TO!’

What are 3 things about the situation you may need to consider before choosing how you might respond? I would consider why the child doesn’t want to wash his/her hands…it may be for a small reason but at the same time it may be for a bigger reason. Secondly,I would consider the child’s potential reaction to my response & whether the potential reaction I would give would be developmentally appropriate. Thirdly,I would consider the value of why the 5 year old has to be taught and encourage to wash his/her hands (for sanitary reasons obviously).

How do you think you might respond? As an educator,I don’t want to assume without a proper basis that the child is just being uncooperative or fussy,it may be over a bigger issue for instance,if the child has been abused previously and associates the sink or the toilet area with this former abuse.

So as a decent educator,I would try to gauge what the Child’s reason is for not wanting to wash his/her hands. Furthermore,I would consider asking the child why he/she doesn’t want to wash hands. I would ask the child calmly…as to not have him/her panic. Further to this,the second thing I would try to figure out is how often this not wanting to wash hands incident has been happening…if this is a repeated response of the child towards washing hands & if the child is distant towards using the sink or toilet area there may be an issue going on and I would consider taking this up with my supervisor.

If ever there wasn’t any form of abuse going on and the child just didn’t want to wash his/her hands for another reasons,I would try to make hand washing a fun activity through a song. Singing a song,is something which I would suggest for all children not just that one specific 5 year old. Furthermore, I could interact with the child positively by role-modelling me and the other educators washing our hands whilst singing a song.

Why did you choose that response?

For considering potential abuse: As an educator,I am aware of different abuse signs & effects. If the child repeatedly refuses to wash his/her hands and is indifferent to approaching the toilet and sink area…I need to have this investigated. I need to be open about this possibility because,if potential abuse is happening as an educator the child’s safety would be my number one priority. So if abuse is potentially happening,I’d want to help the child.

For singing a song: Suggesting to sing a song whilst washing hands is a response I chose,because a musical activity would engage the 5 year old which may get him/her more motivated.Further to this, encouraging all the children to sing a song whilst washing hands fulfils learning outcomes in the VEYLDF. Namely, ‘Children have a strong sense of identity’; Participate in shared activities through singing,chanting,play-acting.Their sense of identity is developed through singing a song as they learn to express themselves musically.

For role modelling: I would choose to role model positive behaviour along with all the other educators,by washing our hands before eating. I chose to do this because if the 5 year old child sees the adults in the room acting clean by washing their hands,he/she will be more likely to want to follow this behaviour.

This is the type of work involved in classwork for a Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education & Care. Hope this was useful to someone ✨

[sticksandstoneseducation]

What's for dinner? Zucchini soup here. #soupweather #preschoolteacher #earlychildhoodaustralia #earlychildhoodeducator #earlychildhoodteacher #dinner #vegan #basilthehippo #sticksandstoneseducation #smallbiz #smallbizlife #smallworldplay

[sticksandstoneseducation]

Early Childhood Market happening on September 30th! Marrickville at Addison Road Community Centre. 9-3. #earlychildhoodeducation #earlychildhoodeducator #earlychildhoodteacher #playmatters #sticksandstoneseducation #esre2017 #marketstall #handmade #family #children #familydaycare #earlyeducation #earlychildhoodresources #emporium #marrickville #innerwestsydney #playgroup #earlychildhoodaustralia #preschoolteacher #preschool #toddler