hey dee ho boosts family connections with free online concerts

The approved learning frameworks remind those working in early childhood education and care (ECEC) that children thrive when families and educators work together in partnership to support young children’s learning.

Relationships in ECEC are integral - they are the foundations which support children to grow and thrive, to feel connected to and contribute to their world, and to learn and flourish in the communities and contexts they are a part of. 

 

For educational services provider hey dee ho, supporting the learning communities they serve to maintain connections with families is one of the many examples of how the team goes above and beyond for those they work with. 

 

“During the pandemic we noticed almost immediately the need to create virtual communities to support children and families to feel supported and nurtured at a time when we couldn’t be physically together,” hey dee ho Director Jenny Wilkinson explained. 

 

“As a team we explored different ways to maintain that connection, and one of the new offerings we commenced at that time was a series of online concerts which allowed children to access some of the stories, songs, drama and yoga activities which they were used to enjoying while attending ECEC.” 

 

“We had wonderful feedback from parents and families, and once the restrictions eased, we decided we’d keep the online momentum going.” 

 

As well as the popular youtube channel, where parents and families can find stories, songs and sign language, hey dee ho offers free online Zoom concerts once per term for early learning settings and families, where educational topics are explored in a fun and engaging way, encouraging children to interact even from a distance. 

 

Road safety, R U OK Day and National Pyjama Day have been amongst the previous offerings, and in January 2025, Fun in the Sun will be explored, encouraging children and families to adopt healthy and safe habits at the beach. Evidence shows that around 25 per cent of exposure to UV happens in the first 25 years of life, with exposure in the first 18 years linked to lifetime risks of skin cancer. Children's skin is thinner, and more easily damaged by UV, and recent recommendations from the Cancer Council NSW recommend that children under the age of 12 months are not exposed to direct sunlight when UV levels are 3 and above.

 

“We know the summer holiday period is highly anticipated by children and families alike,” Ms Wilkinson said, “however we also recognise that it can come with some tricky moments too, like encouraging children to be sun safe, or to stay safe around the water.” 

 

Using and wearing sunscreen, staying hydrated, wearing sun safe clothing and being safe around water will all be covered during the free 21 January 2025 concert, which simply requires an internet connection and a viewing device to be enjoyed by children, families, and ECEC settings across Australia and around the world. 

 

Bookings for the concert will open two weeks prior to the event. For those who want to be advised of when bookings open, email jenny@heydeeho.com.au to be added to the list. 

 

“We are looking forward to another great virtual event,” Ms Wilkinson said. 

 

For more information about hey dee ho’s range of educational services, which are tailor made for ECEC settings, please visit the website, here.