Posts by Youngacademics

Literacy includes talking, listening, visual literacies such as viewing and drawing, and critical thinking — not just reading and writing. In addition, the literacies of technology (e.g. computer games and activities, internet searching, faxes, emails), popular culture (e.g. movies, theatre, and arts), functional literacy (e.g. road maps, timetables), ecological literacy (especially for Indigenous groups) and …

Continue reading “Literacy is Everywhere”

I know we have all been on the receiving end of “look after yourself” or “take care of yourself” after catching up with people and you have gone away just saying “thank you, you too”.  Once you turn around, you have not given that statement a second thought.  I know it is hard to ‘take …

Continue reading “It’s Time for Me, Myself and I”

Gardening allows children to learn responsibility, self-confidence, creativity, cooperation, reasoning and discovery. They gain an appreciation of their natural environment and an understanding of patterns and life cycles. Gardening can create a platform for maths, science and art as well as establishing a respect for growing your own produce and valuing where your food comes …

Continue reading “Gardening with Children”

Like an iceberg, the bulk of behaviour for both children and adults is found below the surface: it is what gives rise to the part that is visible. Behaviour is triggered from feelings, which stem from the more deeply rooted needs of a person.  These are not needs like, “I need candy/ I need a holiday.” …

Continue reading “Helping Children Understand Their Emotions”

For most children, entry into a Young Academics Early Learning Centre will be the first experience of being separated from their parents. Most children will experience some anxiety leaving their parents for the first time and it will be important that both parents and staff work together to build the special relationship necessary for successful …

Continue reading “Orientations: Making them Count”

Toilet training, it is a part of growing up. A very important step into society – being able to use the toilet.  So how can we help assist in the toilet training journey of the children in our care? Mastering the toilet is a developmental step and we all know that children are ready when …

Continue reading “Toilet Training with Minimal Fuss”

Encouragement and praise are two very different ways to communicate with someone.  Encouragement is when you provide statements or points that are specific.  Phrases such as “you really worked hard” or “look at all the green you used in your painting” or “I bet you are proud that, you finished that whole puzzle by yourself”. …

Continue reading “Encouragement vs Praise”

        A learning environment is seen as many things. It is a place where children feel safe and secure, an area where you easily supervise and of course, an area where all learning experiences take place. Your own teaching philosophy has a major influence on how you design the learning environment and how often the …

Continue reading “Creating an indoor learning environment”

When the opportunity arose for Young Academics Early Learning to team up with Algeo Property Group  we jumped at the opportunity. The chance to bring to Elderslie a small suburb in the South West of Sydney, surrounded by the quiet country town of Camden a state of the art, modern child care centre, was one …

Continue reading “Small Suburb Big Changes”