Report
Word limit:?1000 words (+/- 10%)
Assignment overview
The purpose of this assignment is to write an article that reports on an early childhood topic. Early Childhood Australia produces a publication called?Every Child magazine?Links to an external site.(Early Childhood Australia Inc, 2020) that is written for the profession and has a practical focus. It includes 500-word (one-page) and 1000-word (two-page) articles written by academics, teachers and early childhood practitioners.
This assignment offers a real-world example of work that early childhood teachers might undertake as you write a report for this publication. You do not have to actually publish the article; however, it will help you communicate understandings of a key issue related to the unit to your peers in the profession.
This assignment supports?unit learning outcomes 5 and 6.
Using the skills, knowledge and understandings you have gained from the discussions, readings and content in the learning materials, choose one of the following five topics as the subject of your?Every Child?article.
Topics (Based on EYLF/EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING)
The limitations of gendered childhoods for all children.
Early childhood education matters, it’s not just preparation for school.
Exploring a curriculum approach that helps to advocate for children to be heard in early childhood.
The ethical and pedagogical impact of using social media and digital culture in early childhood practice.
Digital technologies in the 21st-century for preschoolers.
Possible content to include
Format of article
The limitations of gendered childhoods for all children.
Define gendered childhoods.
What do gendered childhoods look like in EC practice?
What are the impacts of gendered childhood?
What are the benefits of non-gendered childhoods? (This would be a good space to include examples of how non-gendered childhoods look in EC education).
What is the role of the educator?
How and why is gender approached differently in the 21st-century?
Must include:
introduction (50–100 words)
quote
images
conclusion (50–100 words)
reference list.
Early childhood education matters, it’s not just preparation for school.
Look to the changing view/nature of contemporary childhoods. How is childhood viewed as an important stage in a lifespan to support healthy adult life and society?
How does ECE improve childhood outcomes? Provide examples.
Discuss the importance of supporting agency and voice.
Could include information on:
Millennium Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
How and why has the place of ECE changed in the 21st century?
Must include:
introduction (50–100 words)
quote
images
conclusion (50–100 words)
reference list.
Exploring a curriculum approach that helps to advocate for children to be heard in early childhood
Choose one curriculum approach for your report. Curriculum approaches could include (but are not limited to):
child-centred
emergent
holistic (play-based approach)
integrated approach.
What are the key ideologies behind the approach?
What are the goals of this approach?
What influenced this approach?
What pedagogy supports this approach to the curriculum? (e.g. how do educators teach through this approach to curriculum). Provide examples.
How and why is the voice of the child considered more important in 21st-century ECE?
Must include:
introduction (50–100 words)
quote
images
conclusion (50–100 words)
reference list.
The ethical and pedagogical impact of using social media and digital culture in early childhood practice.
How does social media support connectivity? E.g. communication and collaboration between families and centres.
Discuss the following in regards to social media:
privacy
confidentiality
accessibility.
How does social media support 21st-century pedagogy? (i.e. how is social media used in teaching practice to support the curriculum?)
Include examples of how social media is used in ECE.?
How might children’s experience of digital culture (e.g. YouTube, movies, computer games), influence or be incorporated into the ECE program?
Must include:
introduction (50–100 words)
quote
images
conclusion (50–100 words)
reference list.
Digital technologies in the 21st-century for preschoolers.
How does digital technology support 21st-century skills?
Include examples of digital technologies in ECE (link to pedagogy and practice).
Discuss:
technology in the curriculum (EYLF)
multimodal learning
digital literacy.
How and why has the evolution of digital technologies in the 21st-century impacted ECE??
Must include:
introduction (50–100 words)
quote
images
conclusion (50–100 words)
reference list.
View?Topic ideas?for possible suggestions of what content to include for your chosen topic.
Every Child?articles will be included in the essential readings throughout the unit to give you examples of how they are written and illustrated. Every Child magazine – Early Childhood Australia
Article format and structure
Use a program of your choice (e.g. Microsoft Word, Publisher, Adobe Spark Page) and the following guidelines to prepare your article:?
Use clear and concise writing.
Include an introduction that grabs the reader’s attention.
Use clear headings and dot points.
Use a communication tone appropriate for the ECE profession.
Illustrate with quality images/illustrations.
Format the writing in a newsletter-style with columns, and larger headings. Write in a friendly but professional manner, rather than a strictly academic style.?Every Child?aims to present a bright and attractive magazine that will entertain as well as inform.
Use a key quote in the article to highlight a key idea.
Include a conclusion that closes the topic.
Use a minimum of 4–6 references that are recorded in a reference list and are not included in the word count. APA7
______________________________-
Title: Digital Technologies in the 21st-Century for Preschoolers
Introduction:
In the 21st century, digital technologies are an integral part of our lives. They are used for communication, entertainment, education, and work. As a result, it is important for preschoolers to have access to digital technologies and to learn how to use them safely and effectively.
How does digital technology support 21st-century skills?
Digital technologies can support a variety of 21st-century skills, including:
Critical thinking: Digital technologies can help preschoolers learn to think critically by providing them with access to a variety of information and resources. They can use these resources to solve problems, make decisions, and evaluate information.
Problem solving: Digital technologies can help preschoolers learn to solve problems by providing them with tools and resources that they can use to experiment and explore. They can use these tools to find new and creative solutions to problems.
Creativity: Digital technologies can help preschoolers express their creativity by providing them with a variety of tools and resources. They can use these tools to create art, music, stories, and games.
Collaboration: Digital technologies can help preschoolers learn to collaborate by providing them with opportunities to work with others online. They can use these tools to share ideas, work on projects, and solve problems together.
Communication: Digital technologies can help preschoolers learn to communicate effectively by providing them with opportunities to interact with others online. They can use these tools to share ideas, ask questions, and build relationships.
Examples of digital technologies in ECE:
There are a variety of digital technologies that can be used in early childhood education, including:
Computers: Computers can be used to access a variety of educational resources, such as games, websites, and apps. They can also be used to create digital projects, such as videos, presentations, and music.
Tablets: Tablets are portable and easy to use, making them ideal for young children. They can be used to access the same educational resources as computers, and they can also be used to take photos, record videos, and play games.
Smartphones: Smartphones can be used to access educational resources, take photos, record videos, and play games. They can also be used to connect with other children and families online.
How does social media support connectivity?
Social media can support connectivity by providing a way for children to connect with their friends and family online. It can also be used to connect with children from other cultures and backgrounds.
How does social media support 21st-century pedagogy?
Social media can support 21st-century pedagogy by providing a way for children to learn collaboratively and share their work with others. It can also be used to provide feedback and support to children.
How might children’s experience of digital culture influence or be incorporated into the ECE program?
Children’s experience of digital culture can influence the ECE program in a number of ways. For example, children may bring their own digital devices to school, and they may be familiar with a variety of digital games and apps. Educators can use this knowledge to incorporate digital technologies into the curriculum in a way that is meaningful and engaging for children.
Conclusion:
Digital technologies can be a valuable tool for preschoolers. When used appropriately, they can help children develop a variety of 21st-century skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, collaboration, and communication. Educators who are willing to embrace digital technologies can create a learning environment that is both engaging and challenging for all children.
References:
Early Childhood Australia Inc. (2020). Every Child magazine. Retrieved from https://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/every-child
Leu, D. J., Kinzer, C. K., Coiro, J. L., & Cammack, D. W. (2004). Toward a theory of new literacies research. In E. C. Short & K. M. Reed (Eds.), Sage handbook of research on reading (pp. 111-137). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Marsh, J. (2010). Young children’s use of popular culture, media and digital technologies. London: Sage Publications.
