Early Childhood Research
How do Australian parents choose child care?
Researching and choosing the best child care for your child and family.
How Batman and Dora inspire perseverance
The ‘Batman Effect’ and how early educators can use it to motivate and inspire young children to work harder.
How remote learning has affected Australian children
Home-schooling has impacted children in a variety of ways, in this interview Dr Anthea Rhodes from Royal Children’s Hospital describes findings from their recent poll.
How a group mentality influences preschoolers’ behaviour
Research shows children’s behaviour may be impacted by group behaviour from age three and children may start behaving to fit in rather than to please their parent/caregiver.
Does a positive childhood protect kids from mental illness?
Research shows a happy childhood doesn’t necessarily safeguard children against mental health problems later on. Learn how to scaffold your child’s mental wellbeing.
A new program to increase physical activity at child care
Researcher Professor Hayley Christian from the Telethon Kids Institute discusses the new Play Active Program, an evidence based approach to boosting activity levels for kids in care.
Interesting research around school readiness
Research from the Telethon Institute explains why school readiness should also consider a child’s home and family life and the community they grow up in to determine whether they might need support later in life.
What is the Respectful Approach?
Founder of Raise Early Years Mandy Richardson explains the underlying principles of the Respectful Approach to parenting and how it supports both child and parental wellbeing.
The benefits of physical literacy in the child care setting
New Australian research demonstrates how a structured physical literacy curriculum in child care centres can improve children’s physical, psychological, social and cognitive abilities.
How preschoolers benefit from having a family dog
Learn about research from the Telethon Institute, which reveals a wide range of benefits for preschoolers of having a family dog, including increased exercise and prosocial behaviour.
Research into child care use during COVID-19
The Australian Institute of Family Studies Life During COVID-19 report looks at the way Australian parents adapted to life and child care under the lockdown conditions caused by COVID-19.
The benefits of ‘Dad play’ in a child’s first years
Father child play is not just for dads! Learn about research from Cambridge University, which shows father-child play from an early age can help children manage behavioural problems.
International approaches to lockdown in early childhood settings
International approaches to lockdown in early childhood settings.
New research and advice around screen time
Many children spent more time than usual in front of screens during the COVID-19 lockdown. This article considers the impact of screens on a toddler’s self-regulation skills and offers a range of screen free family fun ideas.
How to get on the same wavelength as your infant
Research has shown that the brain waves of babies and their parents synch up during play time helping to establish bonds between children and their care givers.
How parents can support young children’s risky play
Learn about the different categories of risky play and what they offer preschoolers. Also ideas for increasing your child’s opportunities for risky play.
The need for more diverse books in child care
Research shows early learning centres often lack books with diverse central characters, learn how this impacts children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
How music-making benefits children
The developmental benefits for young children of making music and simple cost effective ideas for boosting musical experiences in your home.
Surprising new research on school choice and academic achievement
Research on school choice and academic achivement revelas surprising outcomes.
Executive function and why it matters
'Executive function' might sound like something a business leader does, but this phrase actually refers to a set of skills that are valuable for children, teens, and adults.
How early intervention can support children with autism
Although autism is usually diagnosed when a child is two or older, some youngsters exhibit signs of this condition well before their official diagnosis.
Reading, vocabulary, and the 'million-word gap'
How rading to your child each night can prevent the million-word gap.
Epigenetics - How children's experiences shape their genes
It's well known that children benefit from supportive relationships and quality early learning opportunities, but according to an emerging field of scientific research, these positive experiences may change genes.
The far-reaching benefits of local playgroups
National Playgroup Week runs from 24 to 30 March, and is a great excuse to celebrate the thousands of playgroups operating around Australia.
New research around storytelling and rhythmic gestures
When it comes to improving children's oral skills, it seems there is much to be gained from reading with your eyes and talking with your hands.
Exciting new research around childhood leukaemia
Exciting new research around childhood leukaemia.