In 2011, the "Let's Count" professional learning program was developed into an elective distance education subject offered at Charles Sturt University. The resulting subject, EMC101: Let's Count, has been offered every year since 2012, and has to date been completed by 796 students. This paper details the subject design and provides…

This paper contributes to the Research Symposium, "Strengths approaches in early childhood mathematics education" by providing an illustration of how an early childhood centre adopts a strengths approach to mathematics education for birth to three-year-old children. A case illustration is drawn from a current Australian Research…

There is clear evidence that early mathematical development sets the foundation for success in later mathematics learning; however, there is little research which considers mathematics education for children under three years of age. This paper provides a snapshot of findings from a national survey of early childhood educators conducted as part of…

The "Let's Count" Community Professional Pilot 2019 took place in six sites across three states (New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia). The aim of the pilot program was to implement the "Let's Count" face-to-face program for the first time with a group of people who work with young children and their families but who…

"Let's Count Online" is a new e-learning approach to delivering "Let's Count" professional learning. It was evaluated in 2018. The findings suggest that the e-learning platform was successful, and that the outcomes for educators were similar to those achieved by participants using the face-to-face workshop professional learning…

In this paper we critique existing research on the role and nature of digital technology use in Preschools. The majority of the literature points to overwhelmingly positive outcomes for young children when digital technology is thoughtfully used in play based learning contexts. However, despite the wealth of evidence that the use of tablets can be…

Explained is the development of the New England Educational Diagnostic Centre (N.E.E.D. Centre), an assessment and intervention center for children referred for academic, behavioral, communication, and/or developmental problems, with special emphasis on preschoolers. Outlined is information on the program's management and administration; programs…

An experiment is described that involved video conferencing technology with preschool children in a music instruction context. Video conferencing is a powerful communications medium, and may be used in creative interactive contexts. The subjects were children, ages 3 through 5, participating in video conferences from Australia and Canada, eight at…

This annual report of the Australian Preschool Association (APA) for the period May 1979 to June 1980 (1) highlights significant events of the Association's 42 years of activity; (2) indicates existing conditions, actions taken and decisions made in a broad range of areas of concern (such as accreditation, conferences, development, proposals,…

Outlined are preliminary findings from a study of computer use by Australian preschool children. Subjects were 90 children of 4 years who were enrolled in four Sydney preschool classes. A computer was set up in a learning center and was available to the children during free play sessions. Children's behaviors were observed and recorded as the…

This paper documents the background of a curriculum framework, the Foundation Areas of Learning, for children from birth to age 3 in South Australia. The paper examines some of the dilemmas in creating such a framework and some of the rewards as the system coped with the challenge of including its youngest learners in a clearly articulated…

This paper draws on two studies to consider theoretical, analytical, ethical, methodological, and representational questions about longitudinal case study research in literacy acquisition. Both studies drew on observations and interviews, as well as formal assessment data. The two longitudinal studies are: "100 Children Go to School:…

Assuming that young children's involvement in music programs provides a conceptual foundation for subjects such as mathematics, this study examined the impact of music education on mathematics achievement in preschool children. A pseudo-experimental design was used in which 35 preschool children involved in a music program treatment were compared…

This paper reports on a small-scale introductory study of Australian mothers' experiences of infant day care. Ten employed, middle- and lower-socioeconomic status women with an infant in center-based day care were interviewed. Brief narrative examples from the mothers' accounts are presented. Discussion then concentrates on a new approach to…

Research has shown that teacher involvement can stimulate and enrich children's play, with positive developmental consequences. This study examined teachers' thinking and practices in relation to the role of the teacher in children's outdoor play. Data were collected from eight preschools through teacher interviews and observations of children's…