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Mother’s Day can be a sensitive time for families without mothers, but it’s also an opportunity to celebrate all caregivers and loved ones who nurture and support children. Here are some inclusive ways to honour the day.

Numeracy indicators are tools or benchmarks used to assess and support the development of numeracy skills in children. They help educators recognize, plan for, and evaluate a child's understanding and application of mathematical concepts.

It's not necessary—or even always advisable—to celebrate every significant cultural event on the calendar each month. Instead, think of your seasonal or monthly celebrations as a curated tapestry, where each thread is carefully chosen for its relevance, impact, and ability to resonate with the children and their communities. The following article provides Key Considerations when selecting monthly celebrations, When Does It Become Tokenistic, Questions To Ask To Decide Which Significant Monthly Cultural Event To Celebrate and more. 

A: Dealing with negative behaviors such as passive aggressiveness, negativity, gossiping, cliques, favoritism, and a lack of motivation within an educator team is a challenging yet critical leadership task. These behaviours not only disrupt team cohesion but can also trickle down and impact the learning environment provided for the children. Drawing on experiences shared within the Educational Leaders and EYLF/NQS support groups, here are some strategies and points to consider:

Higher duties in the Children's Services Award refer to situations where an educator temporarily performs tasks or responsibilities that belong to a higher classification or position than their usual role. During this time, appropriate compensation should be awarded. 

Rotation schema refers to a pattern of engagement where spinning, twirling, and circular motions tap into a child's innate fascination with movement and rhythm. It’s a developmental window into how children explore and understand the world around them.

Performance appraisals in early childhood education play a crucial role in supporting professional development and ensuring that educators feel valued, understood, and supported. They are not simply bureaucratic paperwork; they serve as structured conversations designed to promote self-reflection, assess performance, and facilitate growth. Drawing on the guiding principles outlined in the Supporting Performance Development of Professionals document (Quality Area 7, Element 7.2.3), here are the key elements and methods of performance appraisals in early childhood.

The trajectory schema is one of the key patterns observed in schematic play, where children explore movement—particularly the paths objects take when they are thrown, dropped, or otherwise in motion.

Sharing circles are a powerful tool for fostering collaboration, reflection, and connection among educators in early childhood settings. They create a safe and inclusive space where educators can share experiences, challenges, and successes, promoting professional growth and emotional well-being. Here are some insights and ideas based on the concept of sharing circles.

Empowering educator well-being and belonging is about creating an environment where educators feel seen, supported, and valued—not just as professionals, but as whole people. When educators feel that what they do truly matters, they’re more engaged, resilient, and effective in fostering meaningful connections with children. Here are some ways to bring this into everyday practice.

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