Researcher Peter Hurley, reports that about 9 million Australians, 35% of the population, live in neighbourhoods classified as childcare deserts – populated areas where there are more than three children per childcare place. In the first research of its kind in Australia, the Mitchell Institute has...
Sue Ollerhead reports why all teachers need to teach language and literacy, not just English teachers Proposed changes to the New South Wales English syllabus reinforce the misguided idea that the teaching of language and literacy skills should fall chiefly to English teachers, leaving other teachers...
One of the advantages of a STEM focus over traditional teaching methods is the suitability of problem-based learning (PBL) as a pedagogical approach. Through PBL, processes and knowledge from science, mathematics, engineering and technology are integrated to tackle real-world problems in situations that are uncertain, not...
Is there a special time when our children’s brains are more open to learning new skills like reading, writing and playing a musical instrument? And is ‘earlier’ always ‘better’?...
Group music therapy helps hearing-impaired kids understand complex sounds and the improved listening skills boost educational and emotional growth A 12-week music program is helping deaf and hard-of-hearing children learn to optimise their hearing aids and cochlear implants, by teaching them to better understand the sounds...
‘Stop measuring black kids with a white stick’ Carly Steele, Graeme Gower, Rhonda Oliver and Sender Dovchin look at how we can make assesmenS fairer for ALL. In the title we quote Michelle Martin (with her permission), who is a proud Kija woman and passionate educator. She...
When her daughter turns 10, Guillemette Perrin leaves the party planning in her hands. My eldest daughter recently hosted a party for her tenth birthday. “Double digits!” she chanted for all to hear. Clearly this was her most significant birthday to date. She spent weeks agonising over...
One simple idea had the young Christine Kininmonth utterly entranced. When I was eight, my nemesis Jenny, flanked by her posse of hangers-on, marched up to me at the school sandpit. “I’m having a sleepover birthday party,” she said, “and Mum says I have to invite...
Rebecca Chaney questions the tendency to fill children’s waking hours with structured activity. “Don’t be mean,” a friend said recently. I know she was only joking, but her words still hurt. I did feel mean, and guilty, but I wasn’t going to budge. My son wants to...
Researchers Hannah Dahlen, Christine Rubertsson and Malin Edqvist look at 7 ways to reduce perineal tearing during childbirth While most expectant mothers are excited, many are also anxious about giving birth, especially first-time mothers. Perineal trauma is something many expectant mums are fearful about. It is hard...
