Quick and easy recipes for sensory play
Here are a bunch of resources for sensory play ideas that are so easy for you to make yourself! You don’t have to spend a lot of money and time creating exciting sensory and play materials for children to spend hours exploring with touch, language and imagination. For more early learning inspiration and professional development, subscribe to the Storypark YouTube channel...
Is it wrong to love the children you teach?
When studying to become an early childhood educator, I always remember a lecturer stressing the importance of maintaining a professional distance from becoming too close to the children you teach. It was unprofessional to develop strong feelings for children. I always struggled with this as I am a feelings person. I often asked myself “is it wrong to love the...
Using macrons on Storypark
Cultural sensitivity and understanding are big considerations these days, and rightly so. One way that you can include this in your teaching practice is to make sure that you spell words correctly including making use of the appropriate macrons. Macrons are used to signify the length of vowels in many different languages. It’s unlikely your computer is set up to type...
Learning in a puddle
One of my clearest childhood memories is of a friend and I walking to school and coming across a gigantic puddle. It was like a magnet that drew us closer and closer. I remember us looking at each other, no words were needed as we both knew what we had to do. We jumped in that puddle, splashing each other,...
Engaging parents with the PYP curriculum and improving quality outcomes through digital technology
Zoe Roles, Dean of Preschool at St Mark’s Church School in Wellington, New Zealand shares how new digital technology is improving practice and engaging parents in the PYP. “One of the most important aspects of reporting and recording assessment is treating it as a journey. We are always discussing, reflecting and reviewing what we do and this involves our parents...
Mentoring advice part three – your words
In our third and final article focusing on advice imparted on educators by their mentors, we have a wonderful collection of your own words and personal stories. We have no doubt that they will inspire you in different ways and we hope you find something that speaks to you. One mentor told me to look at my teaching and learning philosophy regularly as...
Why do educators really struggle to engage with parents?
As CEO of Storypark I have the good fortune of working with great educators from all over the world. My job is to listen and understand our partners, educators and advisors to ensure that Storypark evolves in the ways that best serve children, educators and families. All this listening lets me see common challenges and trends, so this is my...
Unexpected benefits at Goodstart Early Learning, Mosman
The unexpected benefit was the improved relationships with my team and our growth in professional development. I have been with this team for nearly four years, but in the last year those relationships have really grown through Storypark. It is through the everyday conversations around children, planning, our weaknesses and building our confidence as we try and ask questions...
A whole new way of engaging with families at Bambini Worongary Childcare
“I’m also a parent – I saw Storypark as a great tool for families. I was at the centre, working in the industry and still not reading what my child was doing. Storypark is perfect because at 10pm I can look at what they are doing and can come in and chat with their educators in the morning. It makes...
Finding the right pre school for your child
At Storypark we like to share diverse opinions on our blog. This is a guest post from Jane Frazerhurst who founded The Mother Hood – an online community for supporting and empowering all Mothers. She shares her story about when her child started preschool and offers advice to other parents embarking on this journey. I am currently on the hunt for a daycare...