May 2, 2017

Literacy focus for regional early education tour

UOW Early Start focusing on building blocks of learning. 

Enhancing basic literacy skills for young children through everyday experiences is the focus of a new workshop targeted at early childhood educators that will reach the Dubbo and Walgett region this week.

The Literacy for Learning workshop is currently being delivered across NSW and ACT, led by a team of educators from the University of Wollongong (UOW)’s Early Start. The three-hour workshop will be open to all early childhood educators, and will focus on literacy as a foundation skill for all children.

Workshop facilitator Michelle Gregory said the workshop aims to revisit an important aspect of early childhood that is often overlooked.

“Literacy is a foundation skill for children and is something that should happen every day,” she said.

“Through this workshop we’re bringing literacy back to the forefront of the educators’ mind and making sure that it’s embedded in their practices every day.”

The workshop will explore current findings from worldwide literacy research and offer practical applications for preschool environments. Educators will be encouraged to complete a self-assessment of current literacy practices and work on supporting families to increase awareness of literacy in the home environment.

Literacy for Learning will be delivered by two qualified early childhood educators from Early Start and is informed by research data from Early Start ‘Engagement Centres’ (ESECs), where literacy was highlighted as an area in need for both children and staff.

Since 2012 Early Start has had an ongoing partnership with 41 ESECs throughout NSW and ACT, with ongoing research, professional development and technology enhanced virtual experiences taking place for the benefit of staff operating in each centre. The partnership aims to help inform and pioneer innovation in the early years and translate research into practice using a technologically enhanced engagement model.

About the University of Wollongong Early Start

The Early Start initiative is focused on creating educational programs, experiences and networks that enrich the way we understand and interact with children, families and communities.

UOW’s Early Start consists of an international hub for multidisciplinary research, tackling issues as varied as cognitive development, healthy lifestyles, digital learning and literacy, and social inclusion. The initiative provides cutting-edge courses for the next generation of professionals focused on the earliest years of life with state of the art education facilities and some of the best academic staff in the world, providing the opportunity to create transformational learning experiences for students working with children, families and communities.

Early Start is also home to the Early Start Discovery Space - Australia’s only dedicated ‘children’s museum’ promoting learning through play and the importance of life-long learning.