Educator Voice: Advocating Indigenous Culture My name is Violet Hildebrandt nee McGinness, and I am a proud Kungarakan, Gurindji and Ngen’giwumirri Woman, but I was born and raised in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) on Arrernte Country. As an Indigenous... Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture Aboriginal perspectives Cultural inclusion Culturally safe programs Educator advocacy Educator resources 9 Aug 2022 Blog
The word ‘play’ must be seen to be equal among agendas "I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Marc and his work for many years now. Every time I hear him speak about the theory behind playwork, I get so pumped about this movement. When I read this article, the... Emotional resilience in children Play advocacy Play-based learning Unhelpful thinking 5 Jun 2022 Blog
Being professional in Early Childhood Education Being a member of a few Early Childhood Educator Facebook groups, I often see there is a lot of disagreement among these groups (and throughout the sector) about what being a professional in Early Chi... Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) Children's behaviour Children's wellbeing Critical reflection Educator advocacy Educator ethics National Quality Framework (NQF) Play-based learning Professional development Risky play 30 Oct 2021 Blog
Educators - Know your Stuff Four things that Educators who know how to exceed do that Educators working towards the National Quality Standard don’t. I have noticed something interesting… the difference in the practice of service... Aboriginal perspectives Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) Behaviour charts Critical reflection Educational Leader Educator ethics National Quality Framework (NQF) National Quality Standard (NQS) Pedagogy Planning & programming Professional development Risk assessment 31 Jul 2021 Blog
Creative Craft Activity or Craptivity Creative craft activity or craptivity? It's all in the delivery. You decide. ‘Craptivity’ memes and subsequent support of this term, has recently besieged educator forums. An audience was divided last... Children's development Craft activities in early years Developmentally appropriate pedagogy Fine motor skills Loose parts 31 Aug 2019 Blog
Getting started with Bush Kinder Written by Birdwings Nature, Jennifer McCormack and Narell Neville All children should have the opportunity to engage with nature. Fortunately, it is not difficult to get out and about to learn outsid... Bush kinder Children's development Nature play Risk assessment Sustainability 30 Jul 2019 Blog
A butterfly, a vine and a wish “Could it be? Could it really be?” I started to get excited. The Bush Club kids looked at me with suspicion as I leapt up and squealed. Fumbling for my phone I tried to capture what I knew was a rare ... Bush kinder Nature play Sustainability 1 Jul 2019 Blog
An open letter to hardworking educators Dear Educator, There are some things I need to tell you, I need you to understand..... When I scream and cry I need you. I need you to understand and connect with me. I need your unhurried hands and g... Educator advocacy Educator wellbeing Professional development Schematic play 31 Dec 2018 Blog
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 Blog
Why we must sing to our babies Singing is an intrinsic part of raising children. When a baby cries, it feels right to hum a lullaby. We sing action songs and nursery rhymes with our toddlers and young children. I have even spoken t... Language and literacy Language development Music in early years Singing in early years 1 Jan 2017 Blog