Blog | Phoenix Support For Educators

10 Articles

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Strong Foundations: neuroscience and emotional development in the early years

Picture this: a vibrant early childhood learning environment, walls and tables adorned with colourful posters, flashcards, and even stones, all decorated with faces attempting to demonstrate intense e...

Childhood advocacy Freedom Cup® Group time Music in early years National Quality Framework (NQF) National Quality Standard (NQS) Needs literacy Neuroscience Pedagogy Positive psychology The Phoenix Cups® Framework

23 Apr 2025

Reclaiming Play

Let’s face it: childhood today looks a bit different than it used to. When was the last time you saw a child climb a tree like it was Mount Everest or turn a pile of sticks into a pirate ship? If you ...

Barefoot Children and technology Children's development Children's wellbeing Emotional regulation in children Fine motor skills Flow in early years Group time Loose parts Nature play Physicality Play-based learning Risky play Sensory development Sensory play Sensory processing Wellbeing and exercise

12 Jan 2025

Re-thinking “School Readiness” and how to actually support children to be ready for school

What makes a child ready for school? There is no singular answer to that question. Some individuals believe it may be self-help skills such as toileting, opening their own food or tying their shoes. F...

Developmentally appropriate pedagogy Emotional regulation in children Group time Mathematics and numeracy Pedagogy Reading in early years School readiness Transition to school

31 Oct 2024

Child lashing out for no reason? Spoiler alert: There is ALWAYS a reason.

Hands up who has heard the following phrases (or felt them yourselves – we won’t tell) about children’s behaviour: He does it for no reason. She is just trying to get at us. The behaviour is completel...

Behaviour guidance Behaviour management Children's behaviour Connection Cup® Emotional regulation in children Freedom Cup® Fun Cup® Group time Managing emotions Mastery Cup® Pedagogy Processing emotions Skill to Fill™ Social and emotional learning The Phoenix Cups® Framework Will to Fill™

30 Sept 2024

Children aren't born in litters, so why teach as if they are?

Before I answer the question posed in the title of this blog,let’s remind ourselves of the purposes of group story and song sessions in early childhood settings. Purposes of group story and song sessi...

Child attention span Flow in early years Group time Language and literacy Language development Literacy development Mathematics and numeracy Music in early years Pedagogy Play-based learning Professional development Reading in early years School readiness Singing in early years Transition to school

16 July 2023

The day we met Jet Pack Man; A story about fun cup filling

Transitions were not Jaxon’s favourite thing. In fact, he would resist every one of them. Time to go inside? Nope. Time to wash our hands? I don’t think so. Group time? Not happening. Jaxon taught his...

Behaviour guidance Behaviour management Child engagement Critical reflection Flow in early years Fun Cup® Group time Imaginative play Play advocacy The Phoenix Cups® Framework

29 Oct 2021

The Advocate for Childhood

Let’s discuss ‘that child’ found in many education and care settings. However, let’s not label him ‘that child’, and respectfully use his real name, Jacob. Jacob is spirited, energetic and a non-confo...

Child-led learning Childhood advocacy Flow in early years Freedom Cup® Group time Intrinsic motivation Nature play Play advocacy Professional development Risky play School readiness Sensory development The Phoenix Cups® Framework The delight of childhood

30 June 2021

Taking the ego out of teaching

DOWNLOAD PDF PRINTABLE HERE >>> As we continue to evolve in our understandings of early childhood research and theory, in particular in the area of neuroscience, we are moving in directions that are i...

Child-led learning Children's autonomy Critical reflection Educational Leader Flow in early years Group time Mathematics and numeracy Neuroscience Play-based learning School readiness

24 June 2021

How do I 'manage' children's behaviour during group time?

FAQ – How do I ‘manage’ children’s behaviour during group time? Children’s behavioural learning needs to be guided, supported and encouraged, NOT managed. Children “behave” as they do because they are...

Behaviour guidance Behaviour management Child engagement Children's behaviour Critical reflection Flow in early years Group time Intentional teaching National Quality Framework (NQF) National Quality Standard (NQS) Pedagogy The Phoenix Cups® Framework

31 Aug 2020

I need an extension - on extending children's interests

“You don’t look like you’re enjoying your job, what are you stressed about?” “I have so much paperwork”, sighs the educator with a furrowed brow as she looks up between piles of folders, and trimmed p...

Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) Child engagement Child-led learning Children's wellbeing Critical reflection Group time Meaningful learning experiences National Quality Framework (NQF) National Quality Standard (NQS) Planning & programming

17 May 2018