VEYLDF Alignment
Item uses these practice principles: High expectations of every child, Integrated teaching and learning approaches.
Item responds to these sub-outcomes: Children interact
verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes, Children engage with
a range of texts and get meaning from these texts, Children express
ideas and make meaning using a range of media, Children begin to
understand how symbols and pattern systems work.
Description
Language, Literacy and Critical Thinking is a professional learning workshop that aims to upskill early childhood educators and staff in strategies for developing curiosity and critical thinking opportunities for children, which then build language and literacy skills. The workshop aims to increase educators’ understanding of ways to scaffold learning by introducing play-based learning opportunities and continuous provision, which helps build children’s curiosity, analytical thinking, language and literacy. It includes discussion to support educators to plan practical activities that support and extend children’s learning experiences. The workshop also provides opportunities for educators to share their own knowledge, ideas and strategies to strengthen relationships with families and build links with the home environment to ensure continued learning.
The workshop is supported by an ‘Educators Toolkit’, which contains classroom resources, such as picture books and planning/reflection guides. These resources provide educators with assets and ideas to develop into their programming after the workshop.
Detailed Costs
Workshop: $400 per participant (incl. GST and freight and handling for resource kit) for 2-2.5 hour live online interactive workshop.
An Educators Resource Kit and certificate of attendance will be provided.
Each participant will also receive follow-up documentation such as a copy of PowerPoint slides and lists of resources and no additional cost.
A flat fee for services may be available upon request for over 20 participants.
Payment is required before attending.
Implementation Considerations
Target population: early childhood educators and staff.
Program/practice descriptions and details: the 2.5 hour workshop includes a variety of learning methods, such as presentations, group discussions, individual reflection, videos and discussion of practical strategies. The Educator Toolkit will be mailed to the service prior to the training. Each participant will receive follow-up online documentation (such as copies of PowerPoint slides, lists of resources, links to videos and a certificate of attendance).
Program adaptability: sessions can be offered over different days of the week with a range of times, depending on needs of the service. Trainers are available each term and additional workshops can be offered to meet demand.
Staffing: services should consider the cost of backfill when determining the cost of accessing this resource.
Factors to consider: a minimum of 10 participants must be booked into the online workshop session for it to go ahead (can be from one or multiple centres). Services with 20 or more staff interested in attending can negotiate a mutually convenient time for a dedicated workshop. Bookings and registrations are taken online via the provider website and close one week prior to the session start date.
Tools and systems: participants will need access to a device with Zoom and a strong internet connection
Priority Area
Communication (language development)
Strength of Evidence
Level 5 - Foundational research evidence