Articles

In many early childhood settings, we celebrate children's creativity, imagination, and emotional expression—until gendered assumptions silently step in. A boy cradling a doll may still prompt side glances, teasing, or even misguided redirection. But it's time we call out this…

In homes and centres across the country, early childhood educators once viewed documentation as a treasure map—capturing the magical moments of play, thought, and connection that helped children grow. But today, many feel they are no longer tracing children’s journeys.…

“Stay safe.” “Stay clean.” “Stay quiet.” “Do it right.” Individually, these phrases seem benign. But stacked together, they send a clear message: control comes first, curiosity second. And under that pressure, play shrinks. Let’s be honest. Much of what limits…

A recent report shared by 7NEWS Australia warns of a troubling trend: fewer Australian parents are reading to their children. While the headline sparks concern about declining literacy and emotional development, it risks overlooking a deeper reality—one that goes far…

In our push to capture every moment under the EYLF, many educators find themselves swamped by paperwork rather than immersed in play. Observation records, plans, reflections, assessments—they grow faster than we can connect with each child. When every anecdote demands…

In a world where classroom outcomes are often skewed by postcode, language background, or parental education, one early predictor quietly cuts through the noise: phoneme awareness. As Brady (2020) starkly highlights, this foundational skill outranks intelligence and socioeconomic status when…

In a world where safeguarding begins with everyday interactions, teaching consent to toddlers and preschoolers isn’t just possible—it’s essential. Long before children understand the word “consent,” they can learn what it feels like to be respected, heard, and safe. These…

This guide distills the heart of the Early Years Learning Framework into clear, actionable reference points for educators. Grounded in evidence and everyday practice, it highlights the guiding principles and intentional actions that support every child’s learning, well-being, and sense…

Here’s a curated set of critical reflection questions designed to provoke deep thinking around educator-to-child ratios in early childhood settings.

In early childhood education, minimum ratios is one of the most insidious drivers of burnout across the sector. When minimum standards become maximum limits, educators are expected to absorb overwhelming cognitive and emotional loads while maintaining composure, care, and compliance.…

Simple songs about consent gently introduce children to concepts like body autonomy, boundary-setting, and respectful communication in ways that feel playful, affirming, and easy to remember. By pairing repetitive rhymes with hand motions, call-and-response, and relatable scenarios, these songs help…

The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) guides how we document, plan, and reflect on children’s learning in Australia. But with time pressures, ratio demands, and competing priorities, educators need tools that make framework integration achievable and empowering. This cheat sheet…