Lady Gowrie QLD

It’s Book Week! Whether it’s curling up to co-read a treasured favourite, scheduling a trip to the local library, or making time to squeeze in an extra chapter at bedtime, there are so many ways to bookmark the week and make reading a regular time to connect with your child. We recently discovered a very relatable story about families scrambling to find a last-minute Book Week costume. Enjoy this reading by the author of There’s No Such Book, Jessica Dettmann. https://lnkd.in/g-hKg_vq #bookweek #welovereading #earlyreaders

Most children are fearful of failure, and as adults, we naturally want to help them to succeed. But failure is a necessary component of success - NOT the opposite. It’s important for adults to let children know that failure is a normal part of life. Children who have difficulty coping with failure may avoid trying new experiences, develop feelings of helplessness when they do inevitably face failure, and are vulnerable to developing anxiety. Our brains grow and develop in important ways whenever challenges, mistakes and failures occur, and this is how we learn strategies to help us grow into resilient teens and adults. We can help children build resilience by: ▪️ Showing empathy and understanding in their feelings of disappointment. ▪️ Stepping back and allowing mistakes to happen, while still being present to help with the recovery. ▪️ Using failure as an opportunity to reflect and learn. Which part was the most challenging? Do you think you’ll do anything different next time? ▪️ Modelling healthy ways of coping. Children don’t tend to see our shortcomings and may view us, unrealistically, as ‘always-getting-it-right’. How often do they see us struggle or fail? When they do, what do they see? Be sure to share age-appropriate examples of your own failures, and point out when things don’t go to plan. This could be running late in traffic, burning the toast in the morning, or laughing about a failed knitting or DIY project. This helps to normalise setbacks and challenges, and models appropriate ways of working through them.

How is your Science Week going? Science is based on observation, inquiry and investigation, as demonstrated here in this memory of one child at Hillsdon Kindergarten, creating their own Venus Flytrap. From observing different parts of carnivorous plants, to figuring out how to use available resources to mirror the required mechanism, it’s amazing to see critical thinking and creativity in action. Fostering curiosity and innovation is what scientific thinking and STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Maths) experiences are all about. Lady Gowrie Qld encourages inquiry, exploration, and problem-solving through a range of experiences. You can learn more about Science Week here: https://lnkd.in/gwDVU2q

Science Week has begun and we can't wait to see what our children and educators get up to this week. At Lady Gowrie Qld, we embrace natural curiosity and encourage active enquiry and problem-solving. In the past, we've conducted experiments and exploration with our children across various different sciences - from agriculture to biology to marine science, and more! This year, we're excited for a new week of scientific fun, and can't wait to get learning. You can find more information on Science Week here: https://lnkd.in/gwDVU2q

Thank you to everyone who took part in our Gold Coast Lady Gowrie Half-Day Workshop last Saturday. Participants were privileged to hear from three fantastic speakers at this event - Billie Edwards, a proud First Australian teaching consultant who gave a practical session which included an ochre blessing, dancing and weaving with natural resources, Jennifer Ribarovski of JR Education Consulting who spoke about executive functioning skills and how these can be developed through engaging activities, visual routines and positive communication with children, and David Gilkes, who spoke about how children communicate their knowledge, imagination and understanding of the world through mark-making. An engaging and informative day was enjoyed by all.

What a time it's been celebrating Early Learning Matters Week! This nation-wide movement unites all of those involved in early childhood, raising awareness of how important the sector is to help shape the development and well-being of our children. Lady Gowrie Qld is honoured to be a part of such a special sector, dedicated to fostering the growth, learning, and happiness of young children. We believe in the power of early education to lay the foundation for lifelong success, and we are committed to providing nurturing and enriching environments for every child in our care. You can find more information here: https://lnkd.in/gHBnpen

In October 2023, the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) revised the national legislative requirements for children’s sleep and rest. These requirements ensure that policies and practices in early learning environments are consistent with current health guidelines from recognised authorities, such as Red Nose Australia. Lady Gowrie Qld has always been committed to the implementation of safe sleep practices, and we advocate for the ongoing research into reducing the risk of SUDI. For resources about best practices during pregnancy, infancy and childhood, as well as grief and loss support, head to https://lnkd.in/gDMDqU_9

Lady Gowrie Qld celebrates and acknowledges the recognition of Early Childhood Educators. Today’s announcement underscores our nation's dedication to their wellbeing and professional growth, benefiting the children and families they care for. We look forward to understanding more and continuing to support the educators and teachers dedicated to our children's future.

Healthy smiles start early, which is why Dental Health Week is here to remind everyone the importance of good dental hygiene. By teaching your children effective brushing techniques, giving them nutritious snacks, and scheduling regular visits to the dentist, you'll be giving them all the tools and knowledge they'll need to keep their smiles happy and healthy throughout the years to come.

Today is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day – Strong in Culture, Stronger Together. Children’s Day is a day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to celebrate their stories, families and communities – the strength that comes from connection to culture and mob. We hope that all First Nations children can feel special and strong in their identity as resilient, bright leaders of our future – proud of who they are and where they come from. To help celebrate the day, Lady Gowrie Qld has distributed SNAICC Children’s Day bags (including art and craft activities, rosella seed pack, a tattoo and a book) to every child at our Indigenous services, as well as a bag to each of our Affiliate services across the state. For more free Children’s Day resources, head to https://lnkd.in/gEjuXXQt