Category: Resources
Resources for educators and parents
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...
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...
Researching children’s interests
Researching children’s interests Researching children’s interests is part and parcel of our work as educators. But do we often rush to make assumptions about what they are truly interested in, without really digging below the surface? If we rush this process, we can make the mistake of veering off course with our programming, and miss the opportunity to deepen children’s...
Communication With Families During COVID-19
Communication With Families During COVID-19 Communication with families during COVID-19 restrictions is challenging to say the least! Preparing for and teaching through restrictions is something that educators all across the world are experiencing. An essential part of the work that you do is having open and trusting relationships with a child’s parents, but when there are barriers to communication (such...
Sharing children’s care routines with family
The importance of sharing children’s care routines Let’s talk about children’s care routines. A key component of working effectively with children and their families is the exchange of information and communication which is essential for you to truly work in partnership together. Over time you have no doubt found strategies and ways to share with each other by: Sharing learning...
New! Digital Documentation Learning Modules
Storypark and Early Childhood Australia launch a series of digital documentation learning modules that support best teaching practice for educators and maximum impact for young children In 2019, Storypark embarked on a new project with Early Childhood Australia (ECA), to develop a suite of three digital documentation learning modules. The modules are titled “Engaging with digital documentation and technology”. After...
Power in Action
“Power…can be intriguing, because power can be surprisingly complex. It can be enticing because power can be seductive. But it can inspire and uplift and exalt because power can be used to help people accomplish marvellous things.” – Blaine Lee, The Power Principle: Influence with Honor. People often think about power in negative terms. Your feelings about power are a...
Leadership – Communicating Your Message
Leadership – Communicating Your Message “I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant!” – Anonymous Leaders have a responsibility to communicate effectively. You cannot create positive change if you do not speak convincingly about what you believe is possible. Why? As...
Leadership – Learning to Listen
“It seems rather incongruous that in a society of super-sophisticated communication, we often suffer from a shortage of listeners.” – Erica Jong Listening effectively starts first with an attitude – an attitude of genuine interest in understanding what another person is trying to communicate. However, even for very experienced listeners, it is difficult to listen well. One simple reason is...
Leadership – Creating a Personal Approach
Leadership – Creating a Personal Approach Leadership is ultimately a choice to act. When we conceive of leadership as action, many of the apparent conflicts and paradoxes found in a review of research, become resolved. The imperative then becomes to explore and inquire into both the personal and collective meaning of leadership for each individual and group. What is your...