For teachers and educators in early childhood education and care settings, a strong start to the new year is essential. Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to the sector, it is important to set clear goals; prioritise self-care; build strong relationships with parents and families; stay current with best practice and research, and cultivate … Read more

It is inevitable that from time to time you will face a clash of perspectives with your colleagues. Is this a good or bad things? Well ultimately it depends on how you handle the situation and if diplomacy not ego takes control of what awaits.  Parker Palmer once wrote that ‘we teach who we are’, and … Read more

When we consider what constitutes ‘quality’, my mind immediately goes to the question, ‘what difference do we make to the lives of children?’  We know education makes a difference, and it is through this intervention we know as ‘early childhood education’ that children encounter new ideas, theories and knowledge. However, not all teaching leads to … Read more

Academic Matt Alvesson and his colleagues coined the term functional stupidity to refer to the phenomenon where people in an organisation do precisely what is expected of them uncritically and follow the unspoken rules without pausing for thought. In observing such practices, they no longer challenge the rules or conventions because they believe what is … Read more

Here is where I would begin: As you and your child begin to consider starting school you may well feel a wave of emotions. Completely expected, it is a big change. Of course, you want these emotions to be positive but remember it is okay if you have some worries or concerns. Starting school is … Read more

There is a considerable body of evidence detailing the benefits of using our strengths. However, research has also revealed the following: Only about one-third of people can identify their own strengths (Hill, 2001); and Only 17% of people say they use their strengths ‘most of the time’ each day (Buckingham, 2007). So what does this … Read more

It is important to make a good first impression. A familiar saying and piece of advice that is gifted to us us when we head off to meet someone for the first time. There are some of us who believe in first impressions and then there are some of us who do not, more likely … Read more

This is a way to focus your thinking. Finding titles for your ‘noticings’ may be part of your organisational strategy for formative assessment, an attempt to understand more about pedagogical documentation, or a chance to analyse everyday interactions in order to be better informed about the children in your care. This strategy ‘lifts the bar’ … Read more

An anti-bias approach to early childhood education and care is not an add on. It is not a script to follow or a tick box curriculum. In fact, the anti-bias goals were used to create our national frameworks, so they underpin all that we do. An anti-bias approach is the integration of diverse and complex … Read more