Early Childhood Research
Early childhood autism breakthrough
Telethon Kids Institute research into autism reveals promising results.
Post-pandemic play
How children’s play has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal life.
Block play builds more than STEM skills
Scaffolding and extending children as they engage in block play in early education settings.
Boost singing confidence and hear the difference
How a little bit of educator training goes a long way when it comes to singing in early learning services.
Tackle toxic stress: Ensure safe, stable and nurturing relationships
The role of early learning settings in nurturing children who may be experiencing toxic stress.
Tackling gender stereotypes in EC settings
5 simple strategies for promoting gender equality in your service.
Teaching children with autism in mainstream early learning
New research into early education opportunities for young children with autism spectrum disorder and how educators in mainstream settings can best support them.
The Japanese “hands-off” approach to conflict management
This article describes mimamoru the Japanese approach to discipline in early learning settings which relies on educators being hands -off and permitting and waiting for children to solve their conflicts between themselves.
Barefoot learning: Benefits too great to walk past
The developmental benefits of bare foot learning in early childhood services and how to do it in the colder weather.
Early learning in nature
The benefits of nature play for young children in early learning settings and how educators offer these opportunities to children.
Scaffolding learning with pop-culture
How educators can harness the passions and crazes of popular culture into learning opportunities for children in early learning settings.
Talking to families about ‘hidden treasures’ of child’s play
How educators can share the benefits of play based learning with parents to support children’s wellbeing.
Spark joy and learning with interactive read-alouds
Six ideas for educators seeking to maximise the learning opportunities of reading sessions with children.
External factors may help children develop internal control
How executive function in early childhood may be related to external factors as well as internal factors and ideas for educators seeking to use this information in their settings.
The impact of COVID-19 on young children and what you can do
How COVID-19 has impacted children and their families and what early educators can do to support them.
Active Early Learning curriculum
The AEL curriculum and how it aims to boost children’s physical activity levels as well as understanding why it is important and how it improves long term outcomes.
World Nursery Rhyme Week
The benefits of simple repetitive songs and nursery rhymes for children in early education.
The Power of Puzzle Play
New research explains the age and developmental stage at which children can complete a jigsaw puzzle using the box and visual clues rather than guesswork. Also, the benefits of puzzle play.
Research: The Respectful Approach
Learn about new research on the Respectful Approach, which is based on Magda Gerber’s philosophy of early education and care and prioritises respectful interactions between infants and carers.
Research: How play environments impact child health
New research demonstrates the effects of built environments on activity and obesity levels among preschool aged children and how nature play boosts physical activity levels.
Are children hardwired for revenge?
Children are hardwired for revenge and need to be taught how to repay kindness and generosity according to research and how to teach kindness to preschoolers.
Outdoor winter activity makes a lot of sense
Five good reasons to continue outdoor play during winter, how children benefit and what elements are necessary to ensure they have a comfortable experience, despite the conditions.
How play-based learning empowers STEM skills in girls
Learn about the Conceptual Playworld, a purpose-built app which supports educators to create a play based world that helps children develop problem solving skills.
Having fun and being fun – Serious business for kids
New research has shown how important it is to have fun and to be seen as fun in children’s social circles and how this can contribute to a child’s social success and standing among their peers.
Genetic link to childhood emotional, social and psychiatric problems
Learn how emotional, social and psychiatric issues among children may indicate a higher genetic vulnerability to adult depression, according to new research out of the University of Queensland.
Serve veggies with fun, frequency and a side of patience
AIHW research reveals that less than one per cent of children are eating the right quantity of vegetables each day. This article includes five strategies for early childhood services to boost vegetable consumption.
Could your future career be intergenerational care?
The benefits of inter-generational care and how qualifications could grow their numbers.
Partnering with parents to bridge the ‘word gap’
Early childhood services have an important role in supporting the language development skills of children and bridging the word gap.
Early literacy skills are a pathway to reading
How rhymes, silly songs and shared books develop the early literacy skills necessary for learning to read.
Using nature to nurture on Outdoor Classroom Day
Join the big kids this November 7 for Outdoor Classroom Day, a global campaign to embrace the fun and benefits of getting outside to play and learn.
Have screens killed imaginary friends?
A new survey of early childhood staff in the UK has shown that fewer children have imaginary friends than they did five years ago, with screen time being cited as the major factor in making children less imaginative.
Early childhood education - A chance to even the odds
A child's destiny is heavily influenced by the lottery of socio-economic status and where they happen to grow up, but access to quality early learning can help even the odds for all Australian children.
Why Books for Kids still rule for story time
This digital revolution is great for many reasons, but are our children suffering because of it? Learn why books for kids still rule when it comes to childcare
The role of Epigenetics in children's development
Epigenetics is an emerging science which shows how environmental influences affect the expression of genes, in other words, how a child's experiences modify their inherited genetic DNA makeup.
New resource - Understanding how babies communicate
Researchers at Western Sydney University have released a new podcast series designed to unlock the mysteries around how babies communicate.
New research - Integrating autistic children in mainstream care
Supporting autistic children to successfully assimilate into mainstream school alongside their non-autistic peers.
Know your trade The Froebel Approach
Know your trade The Froebel Approach.