Guides: Education Support and Childcare: Work in Partnership with Families

eBooks

Collaborative Intervention in Early Childhood : Consulting with Parents and Teachers of 3- To 7-Year-Olds Collaborative Intervention in Early Childhood offers guidance for those working as consultants in education, as well as those providing assistance in other settings. The combination of theoretical and real-world application fills a gap in the existing literature, and is an invaluable resource for parents and teachers of children 3-7.

Online Videos

Providing Care for Children This program is a must for viewers who are studying to become child care workers. It offers an insightful and practical introduction to caring for children in both day care and kindergarten settings. We meet Pedagogy Leader Catherine Lees and teacher Lin Xue at a typical day care center. We observe them at work and discuss important issues such as physical care, helping children understand their own physical needs, encouraging responsibility, and responding to emotional needs. We also learn how to assist children with hygiene, safety and exercise, and how to create a stable environment, foster independence and show empathy to children.

Online Journals

It's Not Rocket Science: The Perspectives of Indigenous Early Childhood Workers on Supporting the Engagement of Indigenous Families in Early Childhood Settings This paper presents the findings from semi-structured interviews with six Indigenous Australian early childhood workers who were asked about how Indigenous families might be better supported to engage with early childhood education and care services. The workers identified three key barriers to family participation: transport difficulties, family embarrassment or 'shame', and community division. Facilitation of family engagement was argued to require an acceptance of individual families as well as the embracing of culture and the wider Indigenous community. In addition, the interviewees stressed the importance of ongoing and appropriate training and support for Indigenous early childhood professionals. This paper contributes to the growing body of research to inform practice in early childhood settings that serve families with complex support needs, and highlights the importance of cultural knowledge and respect.

Websites

Indigenous Kids Read A free resource for Indigenous families to help their young children [0-8 years old] with literacy and language development.
Australian literacy educators' association ALEA has developed a series of modules to support parents and carers with activities that can be shared with children. The activities have been designed with an emphasis on learning through collaborative play and shared discovery.

Books in the Library

Moort : A Celebration of a Traditional and Contemporary Aboriginal Family System "A scholarly, cross-cultural exploration of the Nyoongar Aboriginal concept of moort (family) pre and post-contact with a view to improving the way government agencies (particularly welfare bodies) understand and interact with present-day Nyoongar families and their children. Written by a team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars working through the Kurongkurl Katitjin, Centre for Australian Aboriginal Education and Research, Edith Cowan University, the book is divided into three parts: Moort: Koora Koora (Moort in the Deep Past); Moort under Occupation, and; From Surviving to Thriving. The third part includes a focus on interviews with Nyoongar participants.
Publication Date: 2021
Parent-Friendly Early Learning Offering insight into the parents' perspective, Parent-Friendly Early Learning is a thoughtful and practical resource for classroom teachers seeking to create positive relationships with the parents of young children. Six chapters address specific challenges in working with parents, including these: Improving parent/teacher communication Developing and upholding policies Discussing child development Understanding and dealing with parent fears Addressing issues of identity Parent-Friendly Early Learning also contains real-life examples from the everyday experiences of early childhood teachers. Julie Powers is the director at the University of Hawaii-Manoa Children's Center. She lives in Kailua, Hawaii.
Publication Date: 2005
Working with Vulnerable Families Working with Vulnerable Families embodies the universal edict - that for societies to flourish we must enhance the opportunities for our children to reach their physical, intellectual, emotional and social potential. For families facing issues of marginalisation, poverty, domestic violence, drug and alcohol dependence or mental illness, such ideals can seem particularly daunting. In a thoroughly candid and engaging style, this groundbreaking text transcends narrow professional boundaries to demonstrate how those working in diverse health, education and social welfare settings can work collaboratively with one another and with parents to protect, nurture and support young children from birth to 8 years. The book draws together a broad range of research-based theory, practice wisdom and successful real-world exemplars to explicate the core values, knowledge and skills required when working with families with multiple and complex needs.
Publication Date: 2010