Only About Children
Only About Children (OAC) is a fitting name for the network of early learning services which uses a holistic approach that gives children the platform they need to thrive. Operating more than 73 early years learning, and kindergarten/preschool campuses throughout Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, OAC goes beyond education to encompass the health and total wellbeing of every child who attends...
Changing Perspectives: Viewing Documentation from a Different Lens
Changing Perspectives: Viewing Documentation from a Different Lens Dr. Diane Kashin, RECE, shares with us a personal story about changing perspectives and viewing documentation from a different lens now that she delights in her gorgeous grandson, Griffen. I originally learned about Storypark, an online platform to support storytelling and documentation when I was teaching a course on children and technology...
Leadership is an action
Leadership is an action Working in an early learning setting can be emotionally, physically and intellectually exhausting. Educators say that they are undervalued and that their very complex work does not always attract the level of professional status that it should. This combined with low salary, a profession that often does not meet staff expectations and an onerous amount of...
The Importance of Belonging
Let’s talk about the importance of belonging for those working in early childhood education. A strong predictor of high-quality childcare is that childcare providers belong to a supportive network, whether formal or informal. This sense of belonging translates into higher levels of satisfaction with their work, more sensitivity to children’s needs and the provision of more stimulating environments for the...
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...
Leadership in ECE
Learning About Leadership At a young age, we are encouraged to take on leadership roles in our family, at school, in the community and in sport. Without knowing it, many of us are already leaders in ways we may not recognize. As a parent, we lead our children when we teach them and model values or when we support sports...
The Power of the Question
The theme for the 2019 KU Annual Conference ‘The Power of the Question’ invites participants to consider the art of questioning to stimulate thinking and inquiry. This years conference keynote speaker is Alise Shafer Ivey. Alise spent a few minutes telling us how the theme of this year’s conference ties in with her work, and what we can expect to hear...