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.
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.
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!
Easter is such an exciting time of year for many children, families and services. Here are a few ideas you can implement in your service this Easter!
Sustainability has such an important role to play in today’s society with an environment that cannot take the high pressure it is under with a population has often taken more than it gives. Where better to start embedding sustainability than in an early learning environment with the minds of our future? Educating children about the importance of being a sustainable member of society from a young age is so important to protecting our environment.
National Recycling Week is an important time to teach the children they can make a difference – after all, they are our future! Teaching children to care for the environment is a learning experience that is an important part of growing up. It gives them skills in respect, empathy, responsibility and teaches them about consequences. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
Celebrating Book Week, ‘Curious Creatures, Wild Minds’! Book Week is always a favourite celebration amongst the children & educators alike!
If you’re looking for resources and inspirational Book Week activity ideas, here are a few great suggestions that children will fall in love with.
As winter sets in, it’s often not possible to make full use of outdoor spaces at childcare centres. Yet the challenge remains to keep children active whatever the weather. Physical activity is important for children’s cardiovascular fitness, building stronger muscles, motor skill development and maintaining a healthy weight. It’s also fun, develops social skills and promotes good sleep.
Nicky has worked in the Early Learning industry for more than 25 years in a variety of roles from Educator through to Centre Director, Area Manager, Advisory & Development Coordinator, Program Manager and Quality Advisor. Currently, Nicky is the Managing Director of a group of community-based Preschools in NSW. In this role, she has recently project managed the construction, fitout and opening of a new community Preschool for her organisation and it is through this process that she partnered with Step4 for the fitout of the new Preschool.
After spending part of her teenage years living in a remote part of the Kimberley in Western Australia, Nicky’s appreciation for the indigenous history of Australia began. Through her career, she has worked with and assisted Educators and Directors in their journey of understanding this important aspect of learning and history and how to ensure that their approach is collaborative, respectful and appropriate.
Nicky has recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Education as a specialisation subject for an ongoing Masters of Education. The extension of her own understanding of Indigenous perspectives was something that she wanted to support and this has assisted her in identifying ways that she can further support Educators across all levels and experience in reflecting on and extending their own knowledge.
Prue commenced her career as an early childhood educator before progressing to a centre Directors role. She later became an Area Manager supporting children, services and families throughout Sydney..
Prue has been working with STEP4 for almost 4 years now supporting services with their ongoing needs and requirements for resources, furniture and equipment as well as contributing her industry knowledge and design concepts to new centre startups. She loves the creative process of working with service owners, managers and educators to enable their vision come to life and create engaging and bespoke learning environments where children’s curiosity and engagement can be fostered. She loves sharing her passion and ideas and working collaboratively with industry leaders, educators and owners.
