When you watch young children at play, you’ll quickly see that they’re drawn to things that they can manipulate, move around, take apart, combine, manipulate and interpret.
The concept of ‘loose parts’ was formalised after British architect Simon Nicholson published a paper on the topic in 1971. He had been researching the impact of various environments on people’s imaginations and creativity, and after observing how they were noticeably more captivated by interactive art installations, he developed a theory that the more variables that an environment had, the more engaging, stimulating and creative it became.
Nicholson’s theory is now widely applied in childcare and early learning environments and the benefits and outcomes of this ‘loose parts play’ are significant. Let’s take a closer look.
The key principle of loose parts play is that the elements involved shouldn’t have a pre-determined association. For example, a train set and miniature house are both great toys, but because their function is already established, the opportunities for creative interpretation are limited.
By contrast, loose parts play involves objects and materials that don’t have a predetermined use.
It involves random open-ended items such as those found around the house, the garden, the park, the recycling bin. These can be used, adapted and combined in a myriad of ways when children use their natural curiosity and creativity.
A cardboard box can be a tank, a castle or a stable. A wooden spoon can become a wand, a conductor’s baton, a fishing rod or a drumstick. A piece of fabric can become a cloak, a magic carpet, a paddock. A wooden block can be a doll’s bed, a car, a cake, a mountain.
Sticks, pebbles, leaves, sand, water, blocks of old timber, ribbons, sponges, scraps of fabric, foam offcuts, buttons and kitchen utensils are all loose parts with endless possibilities - and the great thing is all these items can be used in different ways by children of varying ages and stages. What they choose to do with them and how they interpret them is up to their imaginations and their interests.
The joy of loose parts play is that it feeds children’s imaginations.
It allows children to do the thinking and creating, it allows them to test theories and to experiment and it allows them to use their imaginations freely - and the more of these variables that children have to play with, the better.
You’ll find that loose parts are a central feature of Reggio Emilia-inspired early learning environments, because this educational approach embraces child-led open-ended play. Young children are empowered to explore and discover the world at their own pace, using resources of their own choice. You can read more about this innovative approach in this article entitled ‘The Reggio Emilia Approach and How it Benefits Your Child’.
Loose parts provide children with infinite possibilities for unleashing their creativity. They allow children to be active thinkers. Children can move the objects, change them, control them, line them up, construct with them, deconstruct them, mix them up and assign any role they like to them to create their own scenarios and stories.
Here are some of the ways that fun and joyous loose parts play promotes children’s healthy development and learning:
Loose parts play also teaches children about sustainability. They learn to use items found in nature and they learn to reuse or repurpose items instead of consigning them to landfill - so it promotes a healthier relationship with the environment. Using loose parts for playtime is also inexpensive.
The role of the educator and of the parent or caregiver in the home is to observe, support and encourage the child’s learning through loose parts play - rather than try and direct the process or step in when a problem arises. Supervising adults should allow children to learn through trial and error, to problem-solve for themselves, to experiment, to make up rules, to interpret materials and to play freely - and just be there for support, encouragement and facilitation.
Parents can have a ‘loose parts’ box in the home which children can explore, add to, change etc.
Allow children the time to play and experiment with the parts. Don’t step in when a problem arises or when they make the same mistake over and over. And even if you don’t agree with their rules of the game - let them work out a way forward and problem-solve on their own. Of course, you can support and facilitate their play by asking questions like ‘What else could you try?” and “Why do you think that is happening?”
Loose parts are a key part of everyday life at Evoke Early Learning and an ever-changing variety of open-ended materials are always available in our classrooms and outdoor environments to inspire our little ones to create, explore, discover and learn.
We welcome you to book a tour of our safe, secure and welcoming Albert Park or Clayton Childcare Centres where our mission is to provide each child with the foundation for the future skills and abilities they need to succeed. We look forward to meeting you!
A child’s learning journey starts from the minute they enter the world and we know that the early years are critical for their healthy development. Their brains grow rapidly during their first few years of life and it’s the time when foundations are laid for the development of vital cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills.
We also know that the quality of inputs and influences in the home and in early education settings can have a significant impact on their development and on their ability to learn.
Quality early education has a significant positive influence on a child’s long-term life outcomes and that’s why your choice of childcare and early education centre is so important. This guide to why quality childcare is essential for a child’s heathy development provides some valuable insights into the topic.
To an outsider, the sight of children interacting informally in an early education setting may look like they are just playing and not really learning or being ‘taught’ anything. However, extensive research in Australia and globally shows that play-based learning is a really powerful way to support children’s development.
The benefits of quality childcare and early education include the development of a child’s:
Let’s take a look at each of these in greater detail.
When children are playing - either on their own or in a group - they’re learning.
Children are naturally curious and creative and during play, the neural pathways and synapses in their brains fire up and they start to develop important cognitive skills which help them make sense of their world.
Cognitive skills include numeracy and mathematical thinking, scientific reasoning, critical thinking and problem-solving, memory skills as well as literacy, language and communication skills. Now this may all sound really advanced in the context of a one-year old in childcare, but the foundation for the development of these key skills really does start very early on.
Play-based programmes which feed children’s natural curiosity and ignite their imaginations help them achieve positive outcomes in terms of their cognitive development.
Experienced and knowledgeable educators know how important it is for young children to have opportunities to practise and develop their fine and gross motor skills. Quality early learning environments offer young children a myriad opportunities for physical exercise (eg running, jumping, climbing, throwing, catching and balancing) as well as activities which require children to make small movements (eg painting, sticking dried leaves to paper and threading wool through dried pasta).
Socialisation is important for children and that’s why you should choose an early learning setting where development of social skills is a key imperative of the curriculum.
Exposing young children to a group education setting will help them make social connections. They’ll start to establish relationships beyond those with family members and start to develop friendships. In these types of settings, children will learn to follow instructions, take turns, work collaboratively with others, regulate their emotions, learn to manage conflict and share with others.
A group setting will also help young children learn about empathy and tolerance for others. They’ll learn to listen, they’ll learn to reflect on their behaviours and they’ll learn to appreciate others’ perspectives and opinions.
We talk a lot about holistic wellbeing and how important it is in order for adults to function effectively and to be engaged contributors to society, but did you know that the foundations for emotional intelligence are set in the early years?
A quality early learning centre can help a child develop a healthy sense of self and self-belief. Every child is born capable, but the right environment will nurture that capability and encourage self-expression.
Strong emotions are hard for a child to understand - let alone regulate - but it is crucial for them to learn that actions have consequences. A caring and supportive environment staffed by experienced and loving educators where a child feels safe and secure will give them the scaffolding to develop strong emotional skills and become more resilient.
Early school should be a place where every child is seen, validated and nurtured and where they feel comfortable with their self-expression without judgement or expectation. It should be a warm and welcoming space where children are supported to learn about making healthy emotional choices which will help them develop a stronger relationship with themselves and with others. And it should be well-resourced with skilled and caring educators who put the individual children’s interests first and empower them to develop vital skills for lifelong learning and future success.
When you’re looking for an early learning centre for your child, remember that your choice is likely to have a profound effect on them in the long term.
Here at Evoke Early Learning, we understand the value of quality early learning and we are 100% committed to providing every child in our care with experiences that promote their cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. We invite you to book a tour to experience the Evoke way of life at our Albert Park or Clayton Childcare Centres and to meet our educators and support team whose mission it is to provide the children with the foundation for the future skills and abilities they need to succeed.
Most parents feel a sense of apprehension about their child’s transition to big school. Is my child ready for the change? Do they have the foundational skills necessary for the more formal learning environment? Will they cope?
This article unpacks the concept of ‘school readiness’ and discusses ways to nurture and develop a child’s cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills to help them successfully navigate the transition and reach their learning potential.
School readiness is a term often used to describe a preschooler’s ‘preparedness’ for big school, but parents should know that there are no definitive criteria or benchmarks that a child has to achieve in order to transition successfully.
Most educators agree that early education settings should not mirror those of formal school environments and that the learning and development intentions at these centres should be much more holistic than simply the accumulation of academic skills. Play-based learning is best.
Children are born with an innate sense of curiosity and wonder about the world and they develop at their own pace. It’s far more effective over the long-term for early educators to provide the space, resources, encouragement and freedom for children to forge their own paths of discovery.
A quality early learning environment and a supportive connection between their school and home lives will give a child the best chance of developing vital cognitive skills as well as language, communication, social, emotional and physical skills - and will give them the best opportunity for a seamless transition to formal school.
A child will usually transition well if they:
A high-quality early learning environment staffed by skilled and experienced educators can be the best way to prepare little ones for the move into more formal schooling. Here at Evoke Early Learning, we champion the progressive Reggio Emilia approach to childhood education which has proven its credentials in enabling young children to develop the vital foundation skills that set them up for future success at formal school.
Learn more about why high quality childcare matters for a child’s development here.
As mentioned earlier, play-based learning is the best way for young children to activate their natural curiosity, explore their world and develop a wide range of skills.
They will learn vital skills by having fun, exploring, experimenting, making mistakes, collecting pebbles, picking flowers, playing with water and sand, singing, dancing, role playing, balancing, painting, threading, cutting, jumping, listening to a story, turning pages of a book - even simply observing others - because their innate wonder and awe about the world around them will lead them to discovery and development.
Here’s a closer look at how to support a child’s skills development and help prepare them for school.
Even something as simple as playing with water and sand or baking cookies can introduce a child to a variety of maths and science concepts like counting, measuring, sorting, weight and dimension.
Loose parts play, having fun with manipulative materials, dramatic play and outdoor activities are also some excellent ways to stimulate a child’s awareness of maths concepts. Memory games and activities that require children to problem-solve (puzzles, arranging items in a pattern) are also excellent for building vital cognitive skills.
Strong language and literacy skills are related to school success and will help children with their social, emotional and cognitive development. Lots of reading together, fun activities like singing and playing with rhymes and having conversations with your child will help with sentence structure, vocabulary and general language and literacy skills.
Many parents have concerns about whether their child will be able to cope with a new school environment from a social and emotional perspective. Will they make friends? How will they handle conflict? Will they manage in group situations? Are they sufficiently independent to cope?
Parents, other family members and educators in early learning environments can play a huge part in helping children build social and emotional skills and become more resilient. Aim to provide your child with constant positive reinforcement of concepts like kindness, empathy, sharing, taking turns and teamwork and encourage independence by allowing them to do things themselves from an early age. Even enabling your young child to take ‘safe’ risks in a controlled environment is an important step to help them become more adaptable and resilient.
Self-help during mealtimes, washing hands, bathing and getting ready in the mornings can be time-consuming and a bit frustrating at times, but your investment will pay dividends as they’ll develop confidence in their abilities and become more independent.
Some children are naturally adventurous and will happily scale the jungle gym or climb a tree, whilst others will need more encouragement to participate in physical activity. Movement of any sort (kicking a ball, throwing, dancing, balancing, swimming) will help them build core strength and develop gross motor abilities which are important for success at school.
Fine motor skills are important for formal school too. You can foster these through activities like holding a pencil or paintbrush, cutting with scissors, threading and moulding play-dough.
As the time draws closer for the child to make the transition, parents and caregivers can build excitement about the new environment and also address and allay any concerns that the child may have. Encourage open and honest discussions, build connection to the new school through physical visits, create socialisation opportunities with another child or children who are going to the same place and focus on building up your child’s self-belief and self-confidence.
Our mission at Evoke Early Learning is to provide a safe and nurturing environment that promotes knowledge and inspires a lifelong love of learning. We strive for outcomes where children are not only ‘school ready’, but are also equipped with the knowledge, skills, dispositions, attitudes, languages and self agency for active participation in all areas of life, at any age and any stage. You’re welcome to contact us about any aspect of early education and school readiness or to book a tour of our Melbourne childcare centres in Clayton and Albert Park. We look forward to seeing you!
There isn’t an educator, researcher or child development expert in the world who doesn’t agree that reading enhances a child’s cognitive and intellectual development. Exposing children to books and reading from their earliest days feeds their natural curiosity, enhances their cognitive development and can ignite a lifelong passion for learning.
Books spark the imagination and they hold endless possibilities for enjoyment, laughter, stimulation and cognitive development. It doesn’t matter whether the book just has pictures on the page, whether it’s a fairytale, a challenging concept, a reality story or a fantasy one, a funny situation, a new book or a familiar favourite - the printed word has the power to stoke creativity, evoke emotion, foster critical thinking and build a child’s cognitive abilities.
Early literacy starts when young children - and babies too - are exposed to books and where reading is an integral part of daily life. A plastic book in amongst baby’s bath toys. Paging through a picture book with a toddler. A bedtime story routine. A low table with an alluring array of books on offer. Visits to the local library. Parents reading books so that children mirror the adult behaviour and learn by example. All of these activities have a huge impact on early literacy and fostering a love of reading - and learning.
When you consider that birth to age three are the most important years of a child's development and that 90% of a child's brain develops by the time they're five, it’s very clear that the early years are critical. Reading books and being read to stimulates a child’s brain development and we know that early literacy is vital preparation for their success at school and their overall development.
There are also lifelong benefits to nurturing healthy reading habits.
When people are exposed to a culture of reading in the home and at school, they’re more likely to grow into more fulfilled, engaged, interested and interesting contributors to society. They’re also more likely to develop a lifelong love of learning.
There are many things that parents can do to encourage and support young readers and to shape healthy reading habits.
At home, you can:
By making your reading time dynamic and interactive, you’ll be stimulating your child’s cognitive processes and helping them extend their vocabulary and comprehension skills. Above all, reading should be fun and enjoyable so that your child looks forward to the next activity involving books.
As your child gets older, you should also encourage opportunities for independent reading. This will help them develop their critical thinking skills as they learn to interpret and decode text, question things they have read, acknowledge their emotional responses to the story and reflect on the content. These are all key skills for a child’s successful progression through school and beyond.
Technology can be a valuable and powerful tool in cultivating a love of reading. The key issue is finding a balance and establishing a relationship with digital devices that is healthy and sustainable.
Technology is empowering and can facilitate learning, but it needs to be used mindfully and responsibly. A good rule of thumb is to start with traditional book formats with your baby and toddler and introduce technology (audiobooks, interactive stories on an iPad etc) slowly and carefully and always under supervision.
Reading aloud has a major influence on a child’s intellectual and emotional development.
When you read to a child, you stimulate their imaginations and give them opportunities to develop their language skills, expand their vocabulary and improve their listening skills. They get to hear different tones of voice and different emotions being expressed which benefits their own communication skills.
For more information on this, you may be interested in reading this article on supporting your child’s language development.
Reading also gives children the opportunity to broaden their comprehension and critical thinking skills. It also opens up new worlds of discovery, enabling them to learn about a variety of topics, different cultures and diverse experiences, which in turn can help children develop valuable social skills like respect, empathy, kindness and tolerance.
A child’s reading skills are inextricably linked to their future success at school and beyond. By making reading part of everyday life at home, at childcare and in early education settings, we can nurture an avid enthusiasm for reading and set them on a path to lifelong learning.
Here at Evoke Early Learning, we follow the highly regarded Reggio Emilia approach to childhood education. This approach has proven to be very successful in setting children up for long-term success - and it’s why you’ll find that books and reading are an integral feature in all of our physical spaces and in our daily curriculum. Come and chat to our friendly Evoke team about giving your little one the very best start in life or book a tour through the website. We’d love to meet you!
How do you feel about sending your baby to daycare? Are you wracked with guilt? Anxious at the thought of separating from your little one? Distressed because you feel like you’ll be losing control? Overwhelmed by the enormity of this next chapter?
Baby’s first day at daycare can elicit strong emotions from parents which can be challenging to manage. But you should know that everything that you’re feeling ahead of your little’s one’s first day - and everything you will feel on the actual day - is completely normal. And you aren’t alone.
At Evoke Early Learning, our highly experienced, warm and caring team will be with you (and your precious baby) every step of the way. You can have total peace-of-mind that your little one is in safe hands and they’ll work together with you make the transition as smooth as possible.
There’s no ‘right’ way to manage the transition. The important thing is to do what’s right for your baby and your family.
That said, there are some very effective tools which can help parents and caregivers prepare for the change and get through the first day feeling calmer and more at ease. There are also ways you can help your baby adapt to this new routine. So, if your family is facing this new chapter soon, you’ll be interested in these tips on what to do in preparation of baby’s first day at daycare.
Orientation. Visit the centre a couple of times before your child actually starts in order to familiarise them (and you!) with the new environment. If your child is enrolled in either our Albert Park or Clayton childcare centre, this ‘pre-visit’ will provide their assigned educator with all the necessary information to facilitate and support their transition, plus it’s an opportunity for the team to help you develop strategies to help your little one settle in. Read more about our orientation opportunities here.
Create a home routine which resembles the routine at childcare, including meal times, nap times etc. This will help you feel at ease that your baby will adapt well to the childcare setting.
Be aware of your emotions and be positive. It’s not only helpful for your baby to hear and see you excited and optimistic about this new chapter, it’s helpful for you too. It’s not always easy, but choosing to have a positive mindset and making the effort to be upbeat and embrace the change will make the transition easier for you. The flipside of that is that babies mirror adult behaviour, so if your child senses any anxiety or distress, it can negatively impact their behaviour too.
Don’t prolong your departure on the first day. This will be distressing for you and for your little one.
Plan a ‘me-time’ activity on baby’s first day. We understand that you’ll want to be close to your phone, but it’s a good idea to celebrate this milestone day by doing something for yourself. It could be a coffee with a friend, going for a walk, taking in a movie - whatever you choose to do, make it a lovely distraction and an acknowledgement of the great job you’re doing as a parent!
If you’re feeling a bit anxious or uncertain about this next step, we warmly invite you to book a tour of one of our Evoke Early Learning centres or have a chat to our friendly team. We often suggest that parents take photos of their child while they’re visiting our centre or borrow a book from our library in order to continue the conversations at home and deepen the connection ahead of the first day. Our Evoke Early Learning centres are family affairs and our aim is to create warm, welcoming and loving spaces where everyone in the family feels at home. We understand how you feel and we want to help you enjoy this exciting and rewarding new chapter as much as we know your little one will.
Excitement. Trepidation. Uncertainty. Doubt. Nervousness. Anxiety. Stress. Fear. And that’s just how some parents feel ahead of their three-year old starting day care. Imagine all the emotions your little one is feeling!
Of course, not everyone is daunted by the idea of starting day care or kindy, but we do know from experience that preparing your child for this new experience can make the world of difference to how well they separate from you and settle in to their new environment.
This article provides some tried and tested tips for parents and caregivers on how to prepare three-year olds for their first day at kindergarten.
Even if your own emotions are running riot, it’s really, really important to put on a brave face. Your child will be looking to you for cues and reassurance, so maintaining a positive, relaxed, enthusiastic and excited attitude is paramount.
Here are some great suggestions to help prepare your child for starting kindergarten - and they’ll help give parents peace-of-mind too!
Stay relaxed. Your little one will be mirroring your behaviour, so as the saying goes - keep calm and carry on!
Look for teachable moments about day care and kindergarten and bring the topic up frequently in conversation. For example, point out a childcare centre when you’re in the car with your child and remark on how happy and busy the children look. When you’re doing a fun activity with your child, remind them that kindergarten is a place where they can do all their favourite things.
Ease those first day jitters while getting your child excited about the fun, new adventures ahead by reading books together about starting school. Ask your local library for ideas, otherwise you’re welcome to ask our friendly team at Evoke Early Learning for suggestions. Some of our favourite titles are ‘Starting School’ by Jane Godwin and Anna Walker, ‘Benjamin Comes Back’ by Amy Brandt & Janice Lee Porter and ‘My First Day at School’ by Meredith Costain.
Chat often about what they can expect (the more they know about their new routine the better) and reassure them that it’s perfectly normal to feel worried or uncertain. Remind them that they are special, loved and unique and that they’ll be loved and cared for at their new school.
If your child is feeling insecure, ask them to choose something special from home that they can take with them to childcare. A transitional object like a soft toy, favourite book, security blanket or family photo is a really good way of helping to ease any separation anxiety and provide reassurance.
Discuss a plan with the child care centre as to how they will handle any settling in or separation issues. Empower your child to handle their own situation by suggesting coping strategies if they’re feeling nervous or worried such as talking to their teacher, retreating to a quiet space where they can acknowledge their feelings and regain control, reading a book, finding a friend etc.
You can also create a sense of ‘connectedness’ between you and your child by each keeping a small object (like a pebble) with you when they go off to school. If they’re missing you, they can feel the item in their pocket and know that you are feeling that same special object and thinking about them.
Help your child feel a sense of control by allowing them to choose some items of clothing to wear (you can even set them out the evening before to create a sense of excitement).
Give yourself plenty of time on the first day. If you are going into the office afterwards, it’s a good idea to alert your employer that you may be late. A rushed departure can exacerbate any feelings of anxiety or stress, so you want plenty of time to settle your youngster in.
Try and engage your child in an activity of their choice.
Always say goodbye when it’s time to go. While it may be tempting to sneak off when they’re distracted for fear of causing distress, it’s never a good idea. This can lead to feelings of mistrust and uncertainty. Reassure your child as to when you will next see them, say goodbye and then leave. As hard as it may be to make the break, a prolonged departure can add to the stress, so once you’ve said your first goodbye, you need to leave quickly, calmly, confidently and always with a smile!
One of the most effective ways of handling separation stresses is to have a consistent drop-off routine. When your child knows what to expect, they feel more secure and more confident in their own abilities.
Transitions can be challenging for children and starting kindergarten is a significant change in any child’s life. Talking through what’s going to happen with your three-year old and preparing them for this next stage is an effective way of easing the transition and allaying separation anxiety.
If your child is enrolled to start at one of our Evoke Early Learning Centres, no doubt you will already know of our comprehensive kindergarten orientation programme which includes strategies for parents and children to ease the transition into the new environment. You’re also welcome to contact our friendly team at Evoke Clayton or Evoke Albert Park if you’d just like a chat about how to prepare your child for their first day at day care or kindergarten.
Getting children to bed at night isn’t just important for preserving the sanity of the parents. It’s vital for the healthy development of young brains too.
Researchers in the UK found a correlation between consistent bedtimes during early childhood and cognitive performance and suggested that going to bed at different times each night during those formative years may have a knock-on effect throughout life.
The researchers examined data from over 11 000 seven-year-olds to investigate whether bedtimes in early childhood were related to brain power. The authors’ findings, which were published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, yielded some surprising results including the fact that regular bedtimes in early childhood impacted their maths, reading and spatial awareness skills and that the effect of irregular bedtimes appeared to be cumulative.
Before we delve further into the findings, let’s look at sleep in young children and why it’s important.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, toddlers (aged 1-2) need between 11 and 14 hours of sleep each night, preschoolers (aged 3-5) should get 10 to 13 hours and older kids (aged 6-13) should aim to get nine to 11 hours each night.
Sufficient sleep is vital for a child’s healthy growth and development. It helps build a strong immune system, it’s crucial for learning, language development, memory and concentration, it impacts mood and alertness and it helps children heal and recover both physically and mentally. Sleep is also important for moderating behaviour.
The sample was drawn from the UK Millenium Cohort Study (MCS) which is a nationally representative longitudinal study of children born between 2000 and 2002. Researchers collected data on the children’s bedtime routines (including the time they went to bed and the consistency of their bedtimes) when the children were aged three, five and seven years.
The researchers were looking to see whether any periods during early childhood were more critical than others and whether their bedtime routines (or lack thereof) had any impact on their intellectual performance.
Some of the findings were remarkable.
Irregular bedtimes were most common when the child was three years of age, but this settled by the age of seven when over half the sample went to bed regularly between 7.30pm and 8.30pm.
When they were seven years old, the children were tested on reading, maths and spatial awareness. Irregular bedtimes at the age of three years were found to have negatively impacted the scores of both boys and girls, but findings were not definitive as to whether irregular bedtimes at aged five were associated with lower cognitive scores.
The negative impact of irregular bedtimes appeared to be cumulative and the suggestion was made that three years of age could be a sensitive period for a child’s cognitive development.
Researchers also discovered that a child’s economic circumstances impacted the consistency of their bedtimes. Children who went to bed after 9pm at night or who had inconsistent bedtimes came from more socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
Irregular bedtimes can result in reduced or disrupted sleep during key times in a child’s development and this can have lasting long-term health impacts. Sleep deprivation is a serious matter, and can affect the development of the brain. You might also like to read Six Ways To Help Your Baby Settle Into A Solid Sleep Routine At Childcare
As the authors of the study said: “Early child development has profound influences on health and wellbeing across the life course. Therefore reduced or disrupted sleep, especially if it occurs at key times in development, could have important impacts on health throughout life.” While the proverb: ‘Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise’ originated centuries ago, the meaning behind the words is as relevant as ever. Young children need sufficient consistent, quality rest in order to thrive and be successful and families who establish a consistent bedtime routine for their young children with regular bedtimes will be setting them up for life.
To find out more about the healthy development of young brains then book a tour of one of our Evoke Early Learning childcare centres in Clayton or Albert Park. Our friendly and professional team has all the information you need to make a well-considered decision and we look forward to meeting you.
Starting early when it comes to teaching a child about sharing and why it is important will set them up for life.
Sharing is an important skill for many aspects of life including making and retaining friends, having strong relationships, coping with disappointment, negotiating outcomes and being successful at work.
Sharing is also a learnt skill, but as every parent well knows, sharing doesn’t always come naturally or easily to young children. It can often be a source of conflict and distress. But rest assured, there are plenty of ways that you can introduce the concept to your little one and enable them to become confident and comfortable sharers.
Here’s what you can do.
The concepts of sharing and taking turns should be introduced from the very start. Even using gestures (alternating spoonfuls of food or passing a soft toy to and fro) are opportunities for babies to learn.
As your child gets older, they’ll get better about understanding the concepts, managing their emotions and realising that sharing doesn’t mean losing out on the fun. On the contrary. The more you model good sharing behaviour, kind and generous deeds and empathy and the more opportunities your child gets to practise sharing and taking turns, the more they’ll learn this vital skill and how it impacts positively on their lives.
Choosing a quality childcare or early learning centre which places high emphasis on enabling young children to develop vital skills such as sharing and empathy can make a substantial difference as to how they transition to ‘big’ school and progress through life.
Here at Evoke Early Learning, we embrace each child as powerful, capable and full of curiosity about their world. We value each child as a unique individual and at our safe, secure and welcoming Albert Park or Clayton Childcare Centres, our mission is to provide them with the foundation for the future skills and abilities they need to succeed.
We welcome you to book a tour of one of our centres and hope to see you soon.
The early years are critical for a child’s language development, especially when you consider that by the time the child is five years old, almost 90% of their brain development has already taken place!
Toddler usually say their first words between the ages of 12 - 18 months, but the foundations for communication and language development start from the day they are born.
In their formative years, babies and toddlers absorb, learn and grow by watching and listening to what adults say and do which means parents and other primary caregivers play a crucial role in helping them develop their communication and language skills.
This article sets out some practical and fun ways that you can introduce early language skills to your baby and support their healthy language development.
A child’s language development happens all day - and everyday activities are the perfect platform for them to interact with you, listen, mirror what you are saying and doing, absorb, learn and grow. Keeping things fun and playful will get the best results, and remember, even if you feel a bit silly doing some of these things, humour is a great teacher! You can also Use Positive Language To Boost A Child’s Self-Esteem
Here are some simple ideas for introducing and reinforcing early language skills to your little one.
It is essential to choose a childcare provider where language development is actively nurtured and encouraged. It is also important that the educators there have the experience to recognise when a child may be struggling because early intervention can make a huge difference.
What to do if you are worried about your child’s language development Trust your instincts. Children do learn at different paces and in different ways, but if you have concerns about how your child is progressing, have a chat to your child’s teacher, your childcare nurse or your GP. If necessary, you can then get a referral to a specialist such as a speech and language therapist.
To find out more about language development then book a tour of one of our Evoke Early Learning childcare centres in Clayton or Albert Park. Our friendly and professional team has all the information you need to make a well-considered decision and we look forward to meeting you.
The established view among experts is that quality childcare and early education leads to better outcomes in life.
The reason for this is that all the experiences a child has during the critical formative years have a strong - and lasting - effect on their academic and social success and on both their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Simply put, high quality early childhood education gives a child the best start in life. A careful choice of childcare provider is an investment in your child’s future and will improve the likelihood of later success.
Childcare isn’t babysitting. The staff aren’t merely child minders. Childcare isn’t just a convenient drop-off spot where toddlers can socialise and let off steam while parents go to work or continue with their busy lives.
Childcare should be where a child’s holistic wellbeing is comprehensively looked in order to prepare them for life going forward.
A quality childcare centre will help children develop skills needed for engagement and success as they transition to school. It should provide ample opportunities for positive interactions with adults as well as other children and should be a warm, welcoming and inclusive space where diversity and difference are respected.
Children in childcare need to be safe, healthy and happy and they need to experience a wide range of activities which go beyond mere academic goals.
Parents and caregivers have to have every confidence that their child is being well looked after by loving and professional staff and that their child’s best interests are being served.
Here’s why quality childcare is essential:
At childcare, children have the opportunity to participate in a myriad activities and experiences which helps them develop a wide range of skills. By learning through play, they learn essential numeracy and literacy skills, as well as communication skills and cognitive skills like critical thinking and problem-solving. Using music in the learning environment is another way to boost early childhood development.
By participating in physical activities, children hone their fine and gross motor skills plus they learn about things like taking risks, resilience and overcoming fear. If a child is particularly shy or introspective, an experienced educator will gently reassure them and encourage participation and positive social interactions so that their fears can be allayed.
A good childcare environment will also provide opportunities for quiet or rest time and help those more energetic children learn how to wind down.
All of these vital skills are necessary for preparation and readiness for ‘big school’.
Every child is curious about the world around them and a quality childcare environment will support enquiry and experimentation as the child discovers new things. Even an activity as simple as picking up fallen autumn leaves and crushing them can open up opportunities for children to be creative, learn and express themselves.
A quality childcare service provider will employ experienced educators who will know exactly how to encourage each child to pursue lines of enquiry which appeal to their individual interests and which ignite their capacity - and willingness - to learn.
For a child to grow up to have good emotional intelligence, to have empathy for others, to have strong social skills, to be engaged and responsive and to have respect for others regardless of diversity or difference, they need to start off in a high-quality childcare environment.
If toddlers and young children are treated with respect and empathy and if they’re actively encouraged to treat others the same way, they’re likely to exhibit these same qualities as they grow older.
High quality childcare programmes help children:
A child in an early learning environment which is nurturing and stimulating and where creativity and learning are actively promoted will have a strong start to life - and will be more likely to thrive when they make the move to school and onto adulthood.
To find out more about quality childcare and early education then book a tour of one of our Evoke Early Learning childcare centres in Clayton or Albert Park. Our friendly and professional team has all the information you need to make a well-considered decision and we look forward to meeting you.
