Category: Resources
Resources for educators and parents
Floor time for babies and toddlers: why freedom of movement matters
Dr Emmi Pikler was a Hungarian paediatrician who, in the 1940s, established a residential nursery in Budapest. She and her team developed the Pikler approach through decades of watching infants move. What they observed – carefully and systematically – is that when infants are given the freedom to move without adult interference, they don’t just develop physically; they develop grace...
From policy to practice: Working through children’s digital safety in ECEC
Wanting to provide practical resources for anyone on a children’s digital safety journey, Storypark’s pedagogical team has developed a free workbook to help you put children’s digital safety policies into practice: In a community-led approach to children’s digital safety everyone from administrators to IT professionals, educators and families are invited to bring their knowledge and experience to the table, creating...
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...
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...