Brain Development
What makes a great early childhood educator?
It takes a special kind of person to be an early childhood educator. When speaking with one recently about the work she does, she said; I care for each and every child that comes my way as if they were my own for eight hours a day. They all leave an impression on my heart…
See MoreBeyond care: what else does early learning provide?
When we are looking for a place for our children to spend their time early education, what exactly are we looking for? We are looking for care; to make sure they are looked after and protected. But we are usually looking for more beyond that. We are looking for our children to be appreciated, celebrated…
See MoreCare: the foundation of early learning
From the second you meet your child, all you long for is to keep them safe and protected. We watch with anticipation as they take their first breath, walk their first step and say their first word. We build a wall of safety around them, knowing already that the world is not always a good…
See MoreCreating a Village: The keys to parent and educator relationships
From an early age, children start to develop a sense of belonging and connectedness. They seek a safe place that allows them to explore their needs, wants and emotions freely. A place where they feel protected and cared for. (A sense of belonging can be defined as) the extent to which individuals feel personally accepted,…
See MoreProvocations: the catalysts of learning
If you have spent any time in the world of Early Childhood Education, in particular the Reggio Emilia philosophy, you have likely happened across the use of the term Provocations. Provocations are one of the cornerstones of the Reggio Emilia approach to learning and a fundamental aspect of exploration-based understanding. So what are they? As…
See MoreSTEM: A journey in childhood education
When we talk about provocations, a common and increasingly more popular developmental assistant is STEM. STEM, an acronym for Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics sounds very technical, but it is actually an incredible source of exploration and discovery. [Science] is more than a school subject, or the periodic table, or the properties of waves. It…
See MoreDesign as a guiding hand in early childhood education
“There are three teachers of children: adults, other children, and their physical environment.” – Loris Malaguzzi Design and its role in the creation of productive learning environments have become well recognised as an essential foundation of education. The Reggio Emilia approach identifies the child’s physical environment as the “third teacher”. At Orchard Early Learning Centre,…
See MoreUnderstanding the role of creativity in early childhood learning
Creativity is a defining aspect of the human condition. We began painting on the walls of caves at least 50,000 years ago. And creativity has helped us to overcome challenges and prosper as societies. Human beings innately know that being creative is good for us. Creativity makes us feel good. There’s an abundance of research…
See MoreOutdoor play is more vital than we imagine for pre-school aged children
An important part of children’s early years has been changing in Australia over recent decades. Children are spending less time playing outdoors. There’s many reasons for it. Children’s use of technology is changing. Things like gaming and YouTube are all engineered for maximum engagement, so children naturally stick to them for longer periods of time. As…
See More