Supporting children's learning from home - early childhood education and care

Reach out to families and agree on the best way to communicate together – this might be over the phone, via email or text, or through an app.

Build on the ways you already communicate with families or modify these approaches to establish regular ways to stay in touch throughout this period.

Remember to consider families who may have limited access to technology. It may be that a quick phone call is the best way to remain connected. Work out a schedule that will work for you and talk to families about when they can get in contact with you if they have questions.

You will already have a program and/or focus areas in line with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF). Consider ways this work can be adapted for use by families with their children at home. Draw from your existing skills and expertise and apply these in new ways.

Support families with simple ideas for play and learning activities they can set up at home. Give families tips on how to turn everyday experiences (like cooking) into learning opportunities (building numeracy skills through counting and measuring). Remember that some parents and carers may need more support. For example, parents/carers with English as a second language, low levels of literacy or a learning disability.

Within your learning from home model, you may want to include information and activities to help families respond to behaviours they find challenging, and support children to regulate their emotions.

Different things affect a child’s ability to self-regulate. For example, tiredness, illness and changes to their routine can all have an impact their ability to regulate their reactions and behaviour. Given the current circumstances, parents and carers may welcome support in this area.

We know that children’s participation in social settings strengthens their sense of identity, wellbeing, and belonging. There are lots of ways to keep children connected with others during this time.

You may want to invite families to set up a pen friend exchange or you could set up small group check-in sessions using video conferencing software.

Technology is a great way to support children to stay connected. Families can share photos or video messages showing what children are doing at home. But remember to consider the role of screen-based activities for children and the expert advice of limiting this to one hour a day. Wherever possible, support active rather than passive screen-based activities.