Thursday 5 December 2013

The Red Beast

Resources can be hit or miss.  What one person thinks is valuable, another may read or interpret in a different way.  Recently, we put our heads together and provided preschools in Orana Far West, Central West and the Riverina Murray regions with a few resources that we thought would be really useful and a great support to educators, families and children.  One of these was The Red Beast by K.I.Ghani. 
Although it is set in a primary school environment, the methods and social story therein regarding how anger can manifest itself - specifically in the case of a child with Asperger's - are ageless.  We have been thrilled with the response from so many preschools that this has been read, requested and reflected upon by the children - particularly those heading to school next year.  I recommend reading the Author's note at the beginning of the book and the suggested strategies at the end of the book, prior to reading it to the class.  In addition, these notes and activities from Sue Larkey - The Red Beast - support notes - will provide you with useful methodology for getting the most out of this terrific (I think!) resource!

What is and why would I webinar?

Webinars are a wonderful method of keeping informed and current without leaving your service or setting.  Particularly of interest to those in regional and more remote areas, webinars - web-based seminars - can also be repeated, reviewed and even requested.  If there is a topic that has not been covered, ECTARC*, for example, are more than happy to hear from you.  As are Resourcing Families and many other organisations that support Early Childhood Professional Development, families, and children in general. 

Sunday 1 December 2013

SCAN - still supporting in 2014

Supporting Children with Additional Needs (SCAN)
The aim of the SCAN Program is to enable preschools to better include children with additional needs within the educational and physical provisions of the preschool.  In 2014, the program will continue to operate through the same eight SCAN organisations as previously. Department of Education and Communities
Many of you will have been like us – wondering what the conclusion would be regarding the SCAN Program.  Well, we have terrific news.  SCAN is to continue!  We are aiming to have some further details regarding the program soon, but in the meantime, the article from Community Childcare Co-operative really says it all (see below). Please do take time to click on the links as well.  We will be processing the applications now as per the slightly revised programming requirements.  An email has been issued to all Riverina Murray, Orana Far West and Central West NSW Preschools with these details.  We look forward to continuing to develop the supports and hope to go from strength to strength on the path to quality early childhood inclusive programs.
Kind regards,
All at SCAN, CareWest