In this week's update

1. Working with Parents to Get Children Reading

2. Research - Competent Children/Learners Study Results for Children at Age-20

3. Caring for Children with Health, Learning & Disability Needs

4. Governance and Management of ECE Services 

5.  Early Childhood Conferences - Plan Now

1. Working with Parents to Get Children Reading

Fabulous resources with a sound basis in research are available to assist early childhood educators in running workshops to teach parents about children's early reading development (babies to 6 year olds) and the importance of early reading together.

* READ MORE:  Early Reading Together Workshop Leader's Handbook, Booklets for Parents

2.  Research - The Competent Children/Learners Study Results for Children at Age-20 

Earlier claims that intensive quality early childhood education is vital for children's later success are not held up by the latest reports from the NZ Competent Learners Study.  This was to be expected because of the study's design; it's sample contained more socio-economically advantaged children and did not include a control group of children who did not attend ECE. 

So all this means is that people including politicians and writers who claim that the Competent Children's Study proves that ECE is vital for children are incorrect.   

In NZ we haven't got any longitudinal evidence to refer to which can support government funding of promoting non-parental ECE over young children being educated and cared for by their parents and whanau.  And there isn't empirical support to back up the ideology of getting children to spend longer hours in non-parental ECE to give them an educational advantage.  However, economic analysis and social policy papers have over many years pointed to the benefits of non-parental ECE for providing parents (women in particular who have qualifications) with greater access to opportunity to engage in paid work and lift household incomes. 

International evidence points strongly to the benefits of ECE being contained to children who are socio-economically very disadvantaged. The international body of evidence highlights that home-background along with the quality of children's home-learning environment and their school experience are factors that still have greatest influence.  Therefore its not just about ECE but also about working on things such as reducing the number of children living in poverty, involving parents in children's formal education, parenting education, and getting children successfully through the school system.     

The latest report of children at age-20 is interesting, especially if your children are now young adults.  Take time to have a read.

3. Caring for Children with Health, Learning & Disability Needs

Here's some articles to help (click on the titles to read more):

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Helping Very Young Children with ADHD
• Asperger's Syndrome - Early Signs and Suggestions for Supporting a Young Child with Asperger's
• Asthma Signs, Causes, Treatment, and What You Can Do to Improve the Home & ECE Environment
• Diabetes and Helping Children Manage Diabetes
• Eczema - Itchy, Dry, Red, Scaly Skin: How to Help A Young Child (and what teachers need to know too)
• Education Support Workers in ECE Centres and Children with Disabilities
• An Autistic Child Needn't be a Problem Child 

4. Governance and Management in Early Childhood Services

There's now availabe a toolkit of great articles and tips for early childhood service providers, managers, and committee people.  Different management types, roles, responsibilities, and issues are covered.

We hope you find this information and guidance is helpful.  You are invited to add your experiences and questions.  Click on the titles below to read more

• Early Childhood Organisation/Business Types
• Hallmarks of a Good Relationship between the Owner/ Board/Committee and the Senior Person Responsible for Management
• Retention of Reports and Records (what you have to keep, how to keep it, how long to keep it)
• Fostering a 'Culture of Inquiry' in your Committee or Board
• Nurturing New Blood and Having Future Board/Committee Members Ready
• Getting the Most Out of Your Board & Committee Members and Building Commitment and Enthusiasm
• Conflicts of Interest (what are conflicts of interest, and ways to deal with them)
• Governance Training and Building the Board's/Committee's Governance Capacity
• What is "Management" and what is "Governance" 

5.  Conferences

NZ Early Childhood Annual Conference
Showcasing the best research from around the country (and international research).   The best networking oppotunity for early childhood researchers packed into just 3 days.  Great professional learning opportunity for people working with young children and families and who are seeking to provide a higher quality service by making their practice evidence-based.  26 - 29 January next year in Wellington city.  Limited places available so register early.   Register for the whole conference or for Friday only.  Click here for details ...

The Natural Phenomena Conference 
Conference on nature education in early childhood education to be held at the  "The Wild Woods" - an ancient stand of native woodland east of Whangarei, in an area known as Kiripaka.  25 - 27 November 2011.  Read more ...