Category: Early Learning

Articles on early childhood education

Tips for engaging with children’s learning from Dan Donahoo

Dan Donahoo gave us 5 tips for parents for engaging in children’s learning. Watch them here, and add your thoughts in the comments! Read more from Dan here: “Using the right avenue to engage with vulnerable families”

/ June 17, 2017

Nature and the Reggio Emilia approach – Dr Anne Meade

Today our guest blog post is from Dr Anne Meade, who is one of Storypark’s advisors and an inspiration to educators across New Zealand and beyond. I grew up in the Wairarapa. My parents and extended family on both sides were farmers and, therefore agricultural researchers. I still have my grandfather’s daily diaries that are filled with weather and soil...

/ June 12, 2017

So they like to put on dresses

The Storypark blog shares diverse opinions from educators and parents all over the world. Today our guest blog post is from the author of ‘Uplifting Early Childhood‘. What are your thoughts? Share them below in the comments, we’d love to hear from you! At one point or another, we’ve all been there, or most of us have. Either as teachers or...

/ May 24, 2017
A young child leaning against a wooden post

A baby’s first 1000 days of life are the most important – here’s why

Did you know that the eldest child is statistically more likely to be the most ‘successful’? All because of one factor called the dyad relationship. More commonly known as the one on one relationship. Watch this talk from thought leader Nathan Wallis to learn about the crucial brain development that happens in the first 1000 days of a child’s life....

/ May 24, 2017

Dear Zoo – extending children’s interests is different to extending learning

A child would come to my Kinder room on a Monday morning and be very excited to share their stories about their trip to the Zoo on the weekend. So as a graduate teacher 6 years ago, I was so proud of my efforts in setting up a table with beautiful fabric, a range of animals, and some construction materials...

/ April 26, 2017

Embracing a vision for children’s learning with the early years frameworks

When using the Early Years Learning Framework always remember… That it is just that – a framework. It’s not a syllabus, nor a program, not a curriculum, nor a model, neither is it an assessment tool. Above all, it is not a detailed description of everything children will learn. A framework is developed on sound Principles, Practices (Strands – Goals)...

/ April 26, 2017

Ask yourself why

“Is it that we become complacent, lack motivation, are unwilling to become vulnerable to the prospect that we could be wrong? Or all of those?” The Storypark blog shares diverse opinions from educators and parents all over the world. Today our guest blog is from the author of ‘Uplifting Early Childhood‘. What are your thoughts? Share them below in the...

/ April 22, 2017

Enhancing Risky Play – Our Little Secret!

A guest post by Shannon Keane, with the support of the team at YMCA Early Learning Centre Manurewa – Awhina Taiohi. In 2016 YMCA Early Learning Centre Manurewa embarked on a journey to engage parents & children in a consultation process around risky play. This is their story… Change was coming with health and safety policy changes in New Zealand. ...

/ April 22, 2017

Sustainability and the NQS: program priority or area of focus – Part Two

This is part two of a series on sustainability in an early learning setting and how to improve on this in relation to the Australian NQS. Read part one here! Some ways I’ve explored and improved upon sustainability in services are by… Actively involving the team, families, community and children throughout all steps of unpacking the subject matter and highlighting...

/ April 5, 2017

Sustainability and the NQS: program priority or area of focus

Growing gardens, nurturing worm farms, recycling and saving water are all a great start… but let’s ask ourselves, how they are impacting the bigger picture, the outcomes for children and overall community? Sustainability: Program Priority or Area of Focus The real question is what are we hoping to achieve holistically? Growing gardens, nurturing worm farms, recycling and saving water are...

/ April 5, 2017