In early childhood education, our relationships with families are foundational—but they’re not always easy to navigate. When a child’s behaviour begins to impact the safety or wellbeing of others, educators often find themselves caught between professional responsibility and fear of offending parents. Over time, many have grown hesitant to speak up, even as biting, pushing, and dysregulation become more frequent in toddler rooms.
Below are practical, emotionally intelligent ways to initiate these conversations with families—rooted in respect, partnership, and a shared commitment to every child’s wellbeing.
Rhyming Words Matching Puzzle Cards are a playful and engaging literacy resource designed to help young children develop phonological awareness through hands-on learning. Each card features a pair of rhyming words accompanied by simple, child-friendly illustrations, encouraging children to visually and verbally identify sound patterns.
By matching rhyming pairs—like “cat” and “hat” or “sun” and “run”—children strengthen their ability to hear and manipulate sounds, a foundational skill for early reading and spelling. These puzzle cards are ideal for small group activities, literacy centers, or one-on-one support, and they align beautifully with the Early Years Learning Framework outcomes related to communication and emergent literacy. Whether used in preschool, kindergarten, or early intervention settings, they offer a fun, tactile way to build language confidence and spark joyful learning.
In the rhythm of early childhood education, the most meaningful moments often happen in the quiet spaces between routines—when educators kneel to listen, when a child’s story unfolds through play, when connection is felt rather than recorded. Yet across many services, the pressure to document every detail of a child’s day has grown into an unsustainable burden, pulling educators away from presence and into paperwork.
This article clarifies what educators are actually required to document under the Education and Care Services National Regulations—and what can be safely let go.
The following Biting Policy Example tailored for early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in Australia, drawing on best practice from ACECQA, Child Australia, and service-level procedures.
The transition from preschool to kindergarten isn’t just academic—it’s deeply social. As children move from parallel play to collaborative learning, they begin to form friendships, navigate conflict, and express their unique identities. These social and personal skills are the bedrock of emotional wellbeing and school readiness.
Rainy days can stir up big energy in little bodies. When outdoor play isn’t an option, indoor environments need to flex—offering sensory-rich, emotionally intelligent experiences that soothe, engage, and inspire. Here are 20 educator-approved activities to transform stormy skies into golden opportunities for learning and connection.
Toxic environments in early learning services can manifest as gossip, micromanagement, inconsistent policies, emotional invalidation, or even bullying. These psychosocial hazards are not just unpleasant—they’re legally and ethically significant under Work Health and Safety laws.
In a busy early learning room, nestled between a soft rug and a basket of sensory tools, something quietly revolutionary was unfolding. It wasn’t a new curriculum or a flashy resource—it was a space. A space designed not for punishment, but for peace. Not for isolation, but for connection. It was the Calm Corner, and it changed everything.
Here’s a cheat sheet for Quality Area 6: Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities from the NQS. This cheat sheet includes each standard, its elements, and practical examples tailored for early childhood settings.
Here’s a curated list of simple, quick, and tasty vegetarian recipes designed with young children in mind—perfect for early learning settings or family meals. These recipes balance nutrition, sensory appeal, and ease of preparation, with options that support cultural inclusion and dietary needs.
World Instruments Posters celebrate the rich diversity of musical traditions across cultures. Each poster typically features traditional instruments from a specific country. These posters not only introduce children to global sounds and craftsmanship, but also foster cultural appreciation and curiosity. Perfect for early learning environments, they can spark storytelling, music exploration, and cross-cultural dialogue, helping educators weave music into geography, history, and identity. With each instrument, children discover not just how it sounds, but the stories it carries.
Instrument Families Posters are vibrant educational tools that help children visually explore the world of music by grouping instruments into families—strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion. These posters typically feature colorful illustrations and simple labels, making it easy for young learners to identify instruments and understand how they produce sound. By showcasing similarities in shape, playing technique, and sound production, the posters foster early musical literacy and spark curiosity.
