Category: Early Learning
Articles on early childhood education
5 holiday-themed activities to spark creativity and support child development
The holiday season can be a magical time to nurture creativity, imagination, and connection with children. To help educators and parents make the most of this festive period, we have curated several videos from our Teach Me series, filled with fun and engaging activities for young children. These activities not only bring joy but also foster sensory exploration, creativity, and...
Three key takeaways from our artificial intelligence in ECE webinar
We recently joined Katie Dowle, Storypark’s Chief Customer Officer and Sharon Carlson, Head of Pedagogy in an engaging conversation about where to begin with artificial intelligence (AI) in ECE. Over the last year, both Katie and Sharon have been speaking with a diverse group of educators and leaders about the use of AI in ECE as well as engaging with...
5 dramatic play ideas to support children’s development
Dramatic play, where children take on roles, make-believe, and interact with the world through imaginative scenarios, plays a crucial role in early childhood development. For young children, engaging in dramatic play can foster social, emotional, cognitive, and language growth. It encourages creativity, problem-solving, and the development of essential life skills like cooperation, empathy, and communication. But how can we nurture...
What is the place of AI in ECE? Unpicking common concerns from educators
You might have heard that Storypark has been thinking a lot about artificial intelligence (AI) and its place in early childhood education lately. If the conversations we’ve been having and the discussions we’ve been seeing across the sector are anything to go by, you are too! With the pace that AI has leapt forward over the past year, you might...
Asking questions about the use of AI in early childhood education: Creating your AI policy
Early childhood education is easily one of the best spaces to ask questions and be curious. We are continually inspired not only by children, who explore their world with creativity and diligence by asking “Why?” but also by educators and practitioners who hone their practice through critical thinking and feedback. Daniel Wahl, in his book, Redesigning Generative Cultures says, “The...
Exploring AI in Early Childhood Education: Our Considered Approach
We’ve been thinking a lot about artificial intelligence (AI) lately. Not just because it’s a hot topic, but because we’re always looking for ways to better support our early learning communities across New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and beyond — and we believe the technological leaps in the AI space shouldn’t be ignored. Our approach as always, is to work closely...
Documenting the EYLF planning cycle
When planning, documentation is essential and all the elements of the Early Years Learning Framework’s ongoing planning cycle need to be considered. In this blog we unpack the planning cycle’s five separate sections: observe, assess, plan, implement and evaluate. Under each section we will share insights on how rich pedagogical documentation can serve as evidence of planning and support...
Part two: What are the steps to data-based decision making in ECE?
Welcome back to the series on data-based decision making in ECE! We’re looking at how data and analysis coupled with our own professional intuition and insight can inform better decision making in early childhood education. (Missed part one? Check it out here). In utilising data-driven decision-making to tackle childcare problems, Ernst and Young, highlight its importance, “comparable to finding that...
Reggio Emilia – Documenting my inspiration and learning (from a New Zealand perspective)
My learning about the Reggio Emilia educational project began as I listened to a presentation by Leila Gandini, editor of The Hundred Languages of Children. Leila Gandini’s session challenged my (limited, then) view of how capable preschool children could be as thirsty knowledge seekers. She showed pedagogical contexts in Reggio Emilia preschools that expanded children’s explorations across different ‘languages’, fed their...
Attachment Theory For Early Childhood Educators
Introduction The significance of attachment between an infant and a primary caregiver has long been recognised (Ainsworth et al., 1978, cited in Gonzalez-Mena & Eyer, 2015; Bowlby, 1958); in fact, John Bowlby began investigating this idea in the 1950s. Developing a healthy attachment relationship with an educator is also essential for infants and toddlers in Early Childhood Education and Care...