Young minds are like sponges. They soak up learning intuitively. That means that early education centres have a fantastic opportunity to promote positive attitudes to diversity and inclusivity. Teaching diversity to pre-schoolers and adopting inclusive practices in early education is easy with the right activities and resources.
ACECQA describe the aim of Quality Area 6 of the National Quality Standard as being to recognise that collaborative relationships with families are fundamental to achieving quality outcomes for children. Community partnerships that are based on active communication, consultation and collaboration are also essential.
Centre Directors & Educators will see many trends in the Early Learning sector come and go, whether based around environments, teaching styles or learning approaches.
Let’s look at some current trends in the field currently particularly surround the learning environment.
A mix of teaching styles helps to ensure the needs of all children are met.
It also offers flexibility, providing variety and interest to both educators and children. A combination of intentional teaching and play-based learning offers the perfect balance to develop young minds.
Felt resources are a great way to encourage engagement and re-invent familiar songs or stories with children in the care and education environment. They provide a visual component which can assist maintaining children’s interest and often extends the learning and play.
The early learning industry is a competitive one and its important to make your service stand out to prospective families who tour your facility quickly.
Here are 3 things you can do in your Service to stand out amongst others.
Purchasing resources that provide multipurpose uses is not only cost effect but greatly benefit the service. Resources that can be used with adult directed, intentional teaching or alternatively by children in free open play benefit the program and create great flexibility. When looking to purchase new resources for your early learning service consider the multipurpose opportunities of the equipment you are buying – this will help you drive your budget further.
In the childcare environment it is important to celebrate special occasions with families to demonstrate that we as educators value them and their family units. Special events like Mother’s Day allow us the opportunity to help the children in our care celebrate their mum or mother figures in their lives. It is important to keep in mind the huge diversity within families today – consider whether Mother’s Day is important to a mother; a grandparent or single father. Here are some activity ideas which can be implemented within your service!
Buying resources and equipment is not only showing support for our fellow Australians. It comes with so many other benefits!
Many Australians already recognise the importance of buying locally however with the current world climate there is no better time to be supporting Australian owned business.
