Young children are actively learning wherever they are 鈥 at home, in early learning programs, at school and in the community. This 鈥榚arly鈥 learning is fundamental to their development and significantly shapes their future learning, health and wellbeing outcomes [1].
The term 鈥榚arly childhood education鈥 (ECE) encompasses all forms of education, both formal and informal, provided to young children up to approximately 8 years of age.
High-quality early childhood education benefits all children, but there are particular benefits for children who are vulnerable or come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The importance of family engagement in a child鈥檚 learning journey
鈥淧arents have a particularly important part to play in the educating community, since it is to them that primary and natural responsibility for their children鈥檚 education belongs.鈥 [2]
In a Catholic school context, parents play a very important role as the first and continuing educators of their children.
The research also tells us that:
- As 90% of a child鈥檚 brain development occurs before the age of five, the role of families is critical in early learning. [3]
- When families are engaged in their children鈥檚 learning at school positive benefits accrue for students鈥 achievement and wellbeing. [4]
- It doesn鈥檛 matter who families are, it鈥檚 what they do that matters. Every family has an important role to play in helping their children to become confident and motivated learners. This is true regardless of parent occupation, education, or income. [5]
- Home/school partnerships are critical to student success and to achieve this, parents need our support. [6]
鈥淭he research consistently confirms that family engagement is one of the most powerful predictors of children鈥檚 development, educational attainment, and success in school and life.鈥 [7]
We also know that the strongest predictors of effective parent engagement are the teacher practices and the programs the school has in place. The Early Years Foundations for Learning Literacy and Numeracy resource aims to support schools and families in this work. [8]
The and the are two excellent resources for schools wishing to develop stronger partnerships with families.
The importance of play
Play has benefits for a child鈥檚 learning and wellbeing.
Play helps children with their:
- physical development through the development of fine and gross motor skills;
- social development by developing skills such as, collaboration, negotiation and conflict resolution;
- emotional development by developing self-regulation and empathy for others;
- cognitive development through the development of creative and critical thinking;
- literacy development; and
- numeracy development. [9]
Links to research
[1] Eadie, T. (2019). .
[2] Congregation For Catholic Education (1997). .
[3] Center on the Developing Child (2007). T (InBrief).
[4] Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment (2008).
[5] OECD (2020). .
[6] National Center for Family & Community Connections with Schools (2002). .
[7] Global Family Research Project (2018).
[8] Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment (2008). .
[9] U黑料社 Sydney (2020).