Wednesday 16 April 2014

It's SCANTASTIC!

SCAN-tastic news!  SCAN has a continuance until the end of the year!  As such, our SCAN supported Preschools will receive an amendment to the Service Agreement shortly.  We have on SCAN happy faces :)
BLOG!
Have you noticed this blogsite has a few changes?  Do you have a staff meeting coming up? Could you use that time to get everyone browsing? 
For starters, Did you know that you can now follow new posts by email alert?  Go to the bottom of the site page, provide your email address, and you will receive an email alert only when new posts have been made to the site. 
The tabs have changed slightly as has the layout of content.  Specifically, and to help you out:
  • Along the right hand side you'll see the most popular blogs.  You can click on any of these to go directly to the article.  Below these are the archives, and you can search any past blogs here.  As most of the content doesn't date, you would be well worth having a little meander to see what you might find useful.
  • We now have Resources and Apps together.  They are tabled, so as to accommodate user/reader reviews.  This may assist you in your consideration of purchasing/borrowing items - and of course your feedback will help others.  Provide your review in the comment section, or email directly to sara.stockman@cw.org.au
  • The Visuals tab also has the link to the ECIC Website where the purchase form is located for the extremely well regarded Visuals DVD (promoting how and when to use in the Early Childhood environment) which was produced in collaboration between the Riverina ECIC, CareWest and the Wagga City Council. 
  • Within Training and Learning you'll find opportunities listed only in the order they are sent to me. Please peruse, and also use me as a promotional point if you have something to distribute.
  • A new Parent/Carer tab currently lists in regions, support networks, training and learning opportunities and anything going on that parents and carers may like to know about with regards supporting their child. Please send on anything you'd like me to list.  
And finally, did you know that there is nearly always a Read more at the bottom of the blog item?  Click on it to do just that!

Sunday 6 April 2014

What's triggering that behaviour?

Do you sometimes struggle to identify behaviour triggers for some children?  Are you finding inconsistencies in some behaviours that effect individual children as well as whole group experiences? 


A really useful idea for helping to pin-point what may be at the root of these behaviours, and in particular if the environment is a factor (including people, activities, routine, and physical layout), is the mud-map dot activity.  The idea is that you draw a mud-map of your preschool.  You can have indoors and outdoors represented, and stuck at strategic places around the room/outdoor area.  Along with the map, include several colour coded dot stickers (or textas etc).  Colour code morning, meal/snack, afternoon, transitioning.  Include a section for notes.  Over the course of a week (or whatever time frame provides you with information), use the dots to stick on the area where a child's behaviour has been challenging. 

Thursday 3 April 2014

Light it up blue!

April is Autism awareness month and there are so many interesting and entertaining  events occurring all over the world, let alone the country!  To list a few local events:

SUPERHEROES RAISE AWARENESS: To raise awarness for autism Sheila Buntin,Harrison Gray, five,  Amy Gray, Robert Buntin, 10, dressed as Robin and Adrian Buntin, 12, dressed as Captain America will walk around Lake Albert dressed as superheroes for just one of the events during Autism Awareness month.  Picture: Less Smith
Picture by Less Smith, Wagga Wagga Daily Advertiser.  Superheroes raise awareness for Autism.  Sheila Buntin, Harrison Gray, Amy Gray, Robert Buntin (Robin) and Adrian Buntin (Captain America).



  • Launch of  www.autismapps.org.au - the Autism Association of Western Australia exciting new initiative Apps for Autism website.
  • Tuesday 2nd April 2014 Wagga Civic Precinct was lit up in blue to raise awareness for Autism.
  • Friday 4th April 2014 Berrigan Early Intervention Morning Tea for Autism Awareness at the library meeting room - movie to follow.
  • Saturday 5th April 2014 is the Wagga Wagga Light it Up Blue Ball hosted by Li'l Melodies Kindermusik in association with many local support groups and organisations.
  • Thursday 10th April Street stall in Finley for Autism Awareness month 8am start - 2pm
  • Sunday 13th April 2014 Wagga  Autism Super Hero Walk around Lake Albert - Family Fun event, dress- ups encouraged!  from 10.30am hosted by Wagga Autism Support Group
Tell us what you're up to and we'll promote, promote, promote!



SUPERHEROES RAISE AWARENESS: To raise awarness for autism Sheila Buntin,Harrison Gray, five, Amy Gray, Robert Buntin, 10, dressed as Robin and Adrian Buntin, 12, dressed as Captain America will walk around Lake Albert dressed as superheroes for just one of the events during Autism Awareness month. Picture: Less Smith