Communication, curiosity and conversation are key predictors of young children’s success later in life, according to new best practice resources on early childhood education launched in Brisbane today.
The Early Childhood Education Toolkit (ECE Toolkit), launched by Social Ventures Australia-backed education not-for-profit Evidence for Learning, shows communication and language approaches consistently provide benefits for children between the ages of two and five years old. Oral language acquisition is a predictor of a child’s success in formal classroom settings and life trajectories more broadly.
The ECE Toolkit, an accessible summary of more than 1,700 education research studies, made possible thanks to a partnership with The Bryan Foundation, provides an example of how philanthropy can ensure funding is invested in approaches that work best for Australian children. To support the use of communication and language approaches, Evidence for Learning commissioned the University of Queensland to develop tip sheets for educators. They contain three oral language resources, available for free, which are based on a systemic review of current research and provide evidence-informed strategies to support rich conversations with young learners.
These strategies include creating spaces for children’s talk, suggestions for questions which prompt longer conversations, and tips for keeping these conversations going.
“Our Early Childhood Education Toolkit is all about getting best practice materials and resources in the hands of early childhood educators and centre directors working with young children” Evidence for Learning Director Matthew Deeble says.
The launch event brings together a range of early childhood educators and policy makers from around Queensland to discuss how evidence can help great practice become common practice not just in Queensland, but across Australia.
The launch of the ECE Toolkit and the oral language resources come as both Federal and state governments, including Queensland, are rolling out a variety of policies that recognise the importance of investing in evidence-based early childhood education and care.
Research commissioned by The Front Project, an Evidence for Learning partner, shows that investing in early childhood education addresses developmental vulnerability in children, boosts productivity and increases workforce participation.
The Bryan Foundation Executive Chair Jill Simes says the organisation was proud to partner with Evidence for Learning.
Newly announced Chair of Evidence for Learning’s Early Childhood Education Expert Reference Council, Prof Karen Thorpe, from The University of Queensland said: