Young children are actively learning wherever they are \u2013 at home, in early learning programs, at school and in the community.\u00a0This \u2018early\u2019 learning is fundamental to their development and significantly shapes their future learning, health and wellbeing outcomes[1]<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u201cA substantial amount of brain development occurs in the years before school. This is the period when children learn to communicate, get along with others and control and adapt their behaviour, emotions and thinking. These skills and behaviours establish the foundations for future life skills and success\u201d.<\/em> [2]<\/a><\/p>\r\n The term \u2018early childhood education\u2019 (ECE) encompasses all forms of education, both formal and informal, provided to young children up to approximately 8 years of age.<\/p>\r\n High-quality early childhood education benefits all children, but there are particular benefits for children who are vulnerable or come from disadvantaged backgrounds.<\/p>\r\n [1]<\/a> Eadie, T. (2019). Why Early Childhood Education is Everyone\u2019s Business<\/em>. Pursuit, University of Melbourne. [Hyperlink report title\u00a0 – https:\/\/pursuit.unimelb.edu.au\/articles\/why-early-childhood-education-is-everyone-s-business<\/a>]<\/p>\r\n [2]<\/a> Pascoe, S., Brennan, D. (2017). Lifting Our Game: Report of the Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools through Early Childhood Interventions. Page 7. [Hyperlink to report].<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A number of studies indicate the return on investment is between 2-4 times the cost. That is, for every dollar invested the benefit generated equates to 2-4 dollars. \u00a0Nobel Laureate Economist James Heckman argues that the economic return on investment in the early years is higher than the return on investment at any other time during childhood.[1]<\/a><\/p>\r\n \u201cInvesting time, effort and resources in children\u2019s early years \u2013 when their brains are developing rapidly \u2013 brings lifelong benefits to them and to the whole community.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 [Heckman 2017, Invest in Early Childhood Development: Reduce Deficits, Strengthen the Economy <\/em>https:\/\/heckmanequation.org\/resource\/invest-in-early-childhood-development-reduce-deficits-strengthen-the-economy\/<\/a>]<\/p>\r\n Investing in early childhood education can:<\/p>\r\n [1]<\/a> Heckman, J. J. (2006). Skill formation and the economics of investing in disadvantaged children<\/em>. Science, 312, 1900- 1902. Retrieved from http:\/\/jenni.uchicago.edu\/papers\/ Heckman_Science_v312_2006.pdf<\/p>\r\n [2]<\/a> Heckman, J., Karapakula, G. (2019). The Perry Preschoolers At Late Midlife: A Study In Design-Specific Inference<\/em>. NBER Working Paper Series. [Hyperlink paper: https:\/\/www.nber.org\/papers\/w25888.pdf<\/a>]<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In a Catholic school context, parents play a very important role as the first and continuing educators of their children.<\/p>\r\n \u201cParents have a particularly important part to play in the educating community, since it is to them that primary and natural responsibility for their children’s education belongs.\u201d[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\r\n The research also tells us that:<\/p>\r\n \u201cThe research consistently confirms that family engagement is one of the most powerful predictors of children\u2019s development, educational attainment, and success in school and life.\u201d[6]<\/a><\/p>\r\n We also know that the strongest predictors of effective parent engagement are the teacher practices and the programs the school has in place. The Early Years Foundations for Learning Literacy and Numeracy<\/strong> resource aims to support schools and families in this work.[7]<\/a><\/p>\r\n The National Family School Partnership Framework<\/a> and the Gearing Up for Parent Engagement Resource<\/a> are two excellent sources for schools wishing to develop stronger partnerships with families.<\/p>\r\n [1]<\/a> Congregation For Catholic Education (1997). The Catholic School On The Threshold Of The Third Millennium<\/em>. http:\/\/www.vatican.va\/roman_curia\/congregations\/ccatheduc\/documents\/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_27041998_school2000_en.html<\/a><\/p>\r\n [2]<\/a> Center on the Developing Child (2007).\u00a0The Science of Early Childhood Development<\/em>\u00a0(InBrief). Retrieved from\u00a0www.developingchild.harvard.edu<\/a><\/p>\r\n [3]<\/a> Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment (2008). The Family-School Partnerships Framework<\/em>. https:\/\/www.education.gov.au\/family-school-partnerships-framework-1<\/a><\/p>\r\n [4]<\/a> OECD (2020). Why parenting matters for children in the 21st<\/sup> century: An evidence-based framework for understanding parenting and its impact on child development<\/em>. https:\/\/www.oecd-ilibrary.org\/docserver\/129a1a59-en.pdf?expires=1595812405&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=E183527B92D03A10429318D94D88DB3F<\/a><\/p>\r\n [5]<\/a> National Center for Family & Community Connections with Schools (2002). The Impact of School, Family, and Community Connections on Student Achievement<\/em>. https:\/\/sedl.org\/connections\/resources\/evidence.pdf<\/a><\/p>\r\n [6]<\/a> Global Family Research Project (2018). Joining Together to Create a Bold Vision for Next Generation Family Engagement: Engaging Families to Transform Education<\/em>. https:\/\/globalfrp.org\/Articles\/Joining-Together-to-Create-a-Bold-Vision-for-Next-Generation-Family-Engagement-Engaging-Families-to-Transform-Education<\/a><\/p>\r\n [7]<\/a> Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment (2008). Parent Engagement in Learning<\/em>. https:\/\/www.education.gov.au\/parent-engagement-learning-1<\/a><\/p>\r\n Play has benefits for a child\u2019s learning and wellbeing[1]<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n Play helps children with their:<\/p>\r\n [1]<\/a> UNSW Sydney (2020). Why is play important<\/em>? https:\/\/www.gie.unsw.edu.au\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/Parent%20Guide%20Fair%20Play%20.pdf<\/a><\/p>\r\n The importance of early learning Young children are actively learning wherever they are \u2013 at home, in early learning programs, at school and in the community.\u00a0This \u2018early\u2019 learning is fundamental to their development and significantly shapes their future learning, health and wellbeing outcomes[1]. \u00a0 \u201cA substantial amount of brain development occurs in the years before … <\/p>\nInvestment counts<\/h3>\r\n
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The importance of family engagement in a child’s learning journey<\/h3>\r\n
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The importance of play<\/h3>\r\n
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Links to research<\/h3>\r\n
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