Understanding Children LATEST STORIES
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Unfamiliar songs, quieter hearts: What a new study suggests about preschoolers’ physiological responses in music sessions
A preliminary study tracking preschoolers’ heart rate during weekly music classes has found a curious pattern: heart rates tended to be lower when the music was unfamiliar than during familiar songs or transition moments. The work is small and not yet in final published form, but it raises practical questions for early childhood programs about novelty, predictability and group regulation during musical experiences.
2026-01-14 07:56:33
by Fiona Alston
Practice
Quality
Research
Supporting families through separation anxiety: Guidance for educators
As the new year begins and families settle into routines, many early childhood services are welcoming new children, and with them, new emotions. Separation anxiety is a normal developmental experience, especially for infants, toddlers and preschoolers adjusting to a new environment. For some children, parting from their parent or carer can trigger tears, clinginess, or distress. For families, it can lead to guilt, worry and feelings of helplessness.
2026-01-14 07:14:49
by Fiona Alston
Research
Shaping policy through lived experience: ARACY calls for sector input on young people’s wellbeing
The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) has launched a sector-wide Expression of Interest (EOI) call to support the second series of its Young and Wise Roundtables, designed to elevate the voices and lived experiences of priority youth cohorts across Australia.
2026-01-14 06:58:24
by Fiona Alston
Economics
Events News
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One in six Aussie children at risk of missing the basics for school: Through the Officeworks Back to School Appeal you can help change that
As early childhood children prepare to make the important transition into Prep or Grade 1 in 2026, ensuring they have the tools and confidence to start strong is more important than ever. Having access to the basics, from school supplies to uniforms, can significantly influence a child's sense of belonging and readiness to learn.
2026-01-13 08:30:29
by Fiona Alston
Quality
Practice
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Workforce
Supporting children, families and educators during natural disasters
As bushfires continue to affect communities across Victoria, early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are once again navigating the complex realities of emergency response, temporary closures and trauma-informed support. For children, educators and families, these events can be deeply unsettling, with impacts that reach beyond the immediate fire zones.
2026-01-12 07:45:26
by Fiona Alston
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Sustaining the spark: How early childhood leaders and educators can avoid burnout
2026-01-12 08:00:31
by Fiona Alston
Economics
Provider
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Australia’s population outlook: What it means for the early childhood sector
2026-01-13 08:00:47
by Fiona Alston
Workforce
Securing the future: What the NSW community services jobs compact means for early childhood education
2026-01-13 07:15:46
by Fiona Alston
