Assoc of Grads in EC

AGECS is a member based, not-for-profit organisation providing professional development & networking opportunities for early childhood professionals.

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

Getting geared up for our conversation on the 30th of April at 7pm - don't miss out on this great PD opportunity!

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

Aaand...everyone's answers are long but some excellent and meaningful thoughts - you should have been here!

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

@SemannSlattery asking panel to complete sentence "I think the most important thing about theory is..."

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

Kathy questioning why governments and schools sometimes resist continuity of pedagogy between pre-school and prep

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

Kathy discussing challenge of bridging gap from pre-school years to early years of school & that EC doesn't stop when child starts school

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

Catharine points out "it's fine to deconstruct but you must also reconstruct", especially when working with families

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

Panel discussing gender and sexuality in early childhood

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

@SemannSlattery recently approached by a pharmaceutical company to teach them about children's creativity.

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

Kathy emphasises importance that theories are tried and tested and not extremist - adopting one single theory can be very narrow minded

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

@semannslattery asking Kathy what determines whether a theory is valid or not?

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

Catharine discussing that what children need to learn may change - for example bush fire areas or Toowoomba after the floods

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

Anthony asking what skills EC educators need to evaluate what children need to learn for the future

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

Anne discussing absurdity of schools setting homework when parents take them out of school to travel rather than recognising learning opps

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

@semannslattery discussing that we don't want to discuss 'what' people should be learning but prefer to discuss 'how' they should learn

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

Anne quoting shocking statistics of families surveyed in Victoria - across range of educational levels 80% believe learning begins at school

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

Schools are improving at being ready for children but with busy curriculum, early entry age it is hard to be as adaptable as they would like

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

Kathy on spending half her life getting schools ready for children and other half getting children and family ready for schools

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

Catharine says for some parents it may be useful to understand their child. Educators have a responsibility to make it meaningful.

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

Question from audience about whether parents should know about theories?

[Assoc of Grads in EC @agecsorg]

significant difference. If we can't recognise these things we are failing those children before they even start school & that is a tragedy"