A Montessori method is an educational approach characterised by learner choice, an enriching environment and educators who facilitate the learner’s natural bent for learning. It was devised during the 1900s by Dr Maria Montessori, a physician, anthropologist and pedagogue over a professional career that spanned over fifty years. Here are some characteristics of an activity that makes it Montessori.

In early childhood, among the most important aspects of learning self-regulation is the ability to identify and label emotions. Unless children are able to understand and manage their emotions, they might end up expressing them through negative and disruptive behaviours. In this context, the Zones of Regulation approach offers valuable support to children’s efforts to recognise and manage their own emotions.

School readiness has traditionally understood children’s numeracy skills as their ability to count, order and measure before they go on to perform calculations. However, numeracy encompasses a much wider notion than numbers – it can be understood as the suite of knowledge, skills, behaviours and dispositions that students need in order to use mathematics in a wide range of situations. For the early education context, the EYLF defines numeracy as, “the capacity, confidence and disposition to use mathematics in daily life”. Based on this definition, here are some significant takeaways.

Time was when preschool literacy was understood as young children’s ability to read and write in simple ways – like knowing and reading the alphabet and perhaps writing a few However according to recent early education pedagogy, literacy is understood in much broader terms that include children learning to express themselves and communicate through a range of forms and symbols. In keeping with this, the EYLF has defined literacy as the “capacity, confidence and disposition to use language in all its forms. Here are some significant takeaways from the definition.

Creative arts offer children - through dance, crafts, music, art or drama – some of the most enjoyable ways to express their ideas and imagination. Along along with providing opportunities for freewheeling thinking, creative pursuits bring many developmental and learning benefits as well.

Learning emotional regulation in the early years is not only important to become better-adjusted adults but has been found directly related to higher levels of academic achievement in later life. An integral step in emotional regulation is the identification of unhelpful or negative emotions like anger.

STEM refers to an integrated learning approach that introduces Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics through play-based activities.

As Educators all over the world find out every day, there are certain life skills which fundamentally determine how well children will learn within their learning environment. One of the most important life skills children learn to develop is kindness.

Letterland is a system for teaching children basic literacy skills on how to read, how to write and how to spell using a story-based approach.

It is essential that all children growing up in Australia have access to opportunities to become proficient speakers of English.