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Early Learning
Risky play: Why it benefits children
Often our instincts will scream at us to get involved and stop our children from engaging in risky behaviours. But with the benefits of risky play to our child’s development being well documented, it is useful to understand appropriate risk.
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Early Learning
Are there good TV shows for children?
Screen time is part of life for most families. But how much is too much and is there such a thing as quality television? Television can be part of a healthy lifestyle and gives you the chance to model a healthy and balanced approach to screen use.
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Early Learning
Helping children build language skills
David Loyst has been studying and teaching about parenting for over 30 years as a speech language pathologist, autism consultant, and parent coach. He says it helps to think not just about language development, but ‘expressive’ language development.
Early Learning
8 reasons make believe is good for kids
Role playing and dress-up releases the imagination, letting dreams and aspirations run wild. But behind this most treasured of childhood rituals is a science and a psychology which creates a sturdy base for every facet of a child's development.
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Early Learning
When, how and why to read to your child
Parents already know the fun and joy that stories bring, but regular reading brings multiple benefits. Research shows that children whose parents or carers read to them every day at two to three years old had on average higher Year 3 reading ability.
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Early Learning
Conversation skills: Teaching preschoolers
While conversing as adults can seem natural, for a preschool child, communicating ideas and knowing the rules of conversation is a new skill. Associate Professor Tricia Eadie explains that conversation underpins key social skills such as playing.
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Early Learning
Quality programs for birth to threes
Many parents are anxious about sending very young children to a long-day-care centre. Professor of Early Childhood Sheila Degotardi answers the questions: Should parents be worried? What does research tell us about the impact on very young children?
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Early Learning
The role of parents and home learning
Dr Kate Liley highlights the importance of the home learning environment in supporting children’s development. She discusses how it features strongly in research as being key to children’s language, physical, intellectual and social development.
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Early Learning
Using brain science to build potential
Many parents understand that robust vocabulary in a child can have advantages such as helping children create a solid foundation for school, but research also reminds us that early language environment impacts on more than just a child’s vocabulary.
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Early Learning
Gardens teach children lifelong skills
Whether the garden is part of the backyard, a few pots on a balcony or part of a community garden, the benefits of gardening in the preschool years are more than just about playing with dirt. They include opportunities for maths, science, art and play.
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Early Learning
How to include maths in children’s play
Many people believe they can't do maths and are reluctant to help their children. It’s a shame, however, if you’ve managed to convince yourself you can’t help your child to learn the basics. Fortunately, your view about your ability is also untrue.
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Early Learning
Tips for building a child's imagination
Young children tend to be curious, have great imagination and enormous creative capacity. QUT Associate Professor Dr Susan Irvine says these are valuable qualities that support learning throughout life, and should be nurtured from an early age.
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