Early Childhood Learning Resources Project
The Project
The Early Childhood Learning Resources Project was developed to assist parents to introduce and develop early literacy and numeracy learning of their young children. The Australian Government has provided $950,000 for this project.
The work was undertaken by a consortium comprising Monash University, The University of Melbourne, Curriculum Corporation and Early Childhood Australia.
Purpose
The purpose of the Early Childhood Learning Resources Project was to develop a set of high-quality, innovative early childhood resource materials which nurture and support the development of early literacy and numeracy for children from birth to five years. These resources are based on sound contemporary international research.
These informative and practical materials will suit a range of early childhood settings and will provide examples of how parents, carers and practitioners can create stimulating environments for their children, thereby making the most of this critical period of rapid development and learning.
The materials will assist educators and parents to develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of early literacy and numeracy, both in the home and early childhood settings.
The resource materials
A number of resource materials have been developed, including:
- Literature Review and Executive Summary of the current understanding of how children learn, including philosophies and approaches to early learning.
- Early Childhood Literacy and Numeracy Cards:
- Building Good Practice is a booklet for use by professional practitioners in preschools and childcare centres to assess their current practice and assist their effectiveness in stimulating young children’s developing literacy and numeracy skills.
For further information on these products please contact: learningresources@deewr.gov.au
- A DVD that will be used as a teaching tool for professionals running early childhood education and child care courses in universities and VET institutions. The DVD contains expert advice and video footage explaining the resources and their use, as well as pdf versions of the booklet and the cards.
Personnel involved
Consortium members:
Monash University (Professor Marilyn Fleer)
Melbourne University (Professor Bridie Raban)
Early Childhood Australia (Pam Cahir)
Curriculum Corporation (Marilyn Platek, Margery Hornibrook, Helen Smith)
Authors:
Professor Marilyn Fleer – Literature Review and Summary, Numeracy Cards and Self-Assessment Tool
Professor Bridie Raban – Literature Review and Summary and Self-Assessment Tool
Jennifer Connor – Literacy Cards
Project Advisory Committee:
Ms Joan Brown – Education/Early Childhood Policy Adviser, Australian Council of Social Service
Mrs Sharryn Brownlee – Vice President, Australian Council of State School Organisations
Dr Priscilla Clarke – Executive Director, FKA Children’s Services Inc
Dr Alison Elliot – Research Director of the Early Childhood Program, Australian Council for Educational Research
Mrs Josephine Lonergan – Executive Director, Australian Parents Council Inc
Ms Gerardine Mulhearn – Curriculum Superintendent, Early Years, Department of Education and Children’s Services, South Australia
Ms Beth Powell – Senior Lecturer, School of Education, Murdoch University
Ms Barbara Wellesley – National Director, Good Beginnings National Parenting Project
Ms Denise Williams-Kennedy – Classroom Teacher, Transition (five and six year olds), Alice Springs
If you have further questions regarding the Early Childhood Learning Resources please contact: learningresources@deewr.gov.au