Australian Early Childhood Sustainability Alliance

Today, we begin our Conference Field Trips, but you still have time to purchase a Saturday registration 🫵 ⚒️ Workshop: Ngaparrtji Ngaparrtji – Two-way Science in Early Years ⚒️ Join Dr. Jennifer Pearson and Niamh Williams from Little Green Steps for an innovative workshop that connects early childhood educators with practical resources to support sustainable living through the Social Handprint and Ecological Footprint concepts 👣 This workshop will explore two-way science and showcase the Noongar Culture of weaving, tracks, and glue making, through a unique set of videos and a comprehensive Teachers Guide aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework and WA Curriculum. Participants will engage with the materials and be encouraged to complete a planning framework to integrate First Nations learning experiences into their practice. You will also explore how these approaches fit into the social handprint, a key principle of the Little Green Steps WA program. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to deepen your understanding of sustainability and First Nations perspectives in early childhood education! FINAL OPPORTUNITY 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gE9pQxfm #EarlyChildhood #Sustainability #Education #Children #EfS #ECSConference #ECSC24 #Victoria #EarlyYears"

📢 OUR CONFERENCE BEGINS TOMORROW 📢 Round Table Discussion: Sustainability with Infants and Toddlers Led by Dr. Jayne Kinley, this round table will delve into how the new Sustainability Principle in the Early Years Learning Framework V2.0 can be applied in practices with children from birth to under three years of age. 👶How do you do sustainability with babies and toddlers? 👶 This discussion will explore the multi-dimensions of sustainability and how very young children can engage with these concepts. We’ll discuss the capability of infants and toddlers to advocate for change, their rights as agentic citizens, and their active contribution to a sustainable future. Join us to investigate practical ideas for acknowledging the abilities of babies and toddlers and embedding their rights into everyday sustainable practices. Don’t miss this important discussion – register now to secure your spot! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gE9pQxfm #EarlyChildhood #Sustainability #Education #Children #EfS #ECSConference #ECSC24 #Victoria #EarlyYears"

📅 2 DAYS TILL OUR CONFERENCE BEGINS 📅 🛠️ Workshop: Making and Making Do – The Power of Hand Crafting 🛠️ Hosted by Karen Glancy from The Early Years Treasury, this workshop is a must-attend for those interested in creating sustainable, practical resources for early childhood settings. As participants engage in creating a range of useful resources using sustainably sourced, everyday materials, the workshop will explore: 🏫 How creating and repairing resources with and for children can foster a sense of belonging and respect for the learning environment. 🌍 The benefits of handcrafting, repairing, and creating for both our personal wellbeing and the wellbeing of the planet. 🧠 A thoughtful approach to purchasing and caring for resources in the early years, guided by the philosophy of ‘buy well and buy once’. FINAL TICKETS: https://lnkd.in/gE9pQxfm #EarlyChildhood #Sustainability #Education #Children #EfS #ECSConference #ECSC24 #Victoria #EarlyYears"

⭐ 1 WEEK TO GO ⭐ Round Table Discussion: The Importance of Biodiversity and Nature in Early Childhood Settings With just one week left until the Australian Early Childhood Sustainability Conference 2024, we are excited to feature a round table discussion hosted by Anna Mezzetti and Annette Anderson from sponsor Eastern Alliance for Sustainable Learning (EASL). 🌵 What is biodiversity, and why is it important? 🦘 Join us as we explore why biodiversity is crucial and how to incorporate it into your early childhood settings. This roundtable will provide ideas for creating habitat gardens, both inside and outside, along with activities that help connect children to nature. We’ll also share insights on council support and funding opportunities to help bring these initiatives to life. Don’t miss this invaluable session – register today to secure your spot! FULL PROGRAM: https://lnkd.in/gqWC8F6N #EarlyChildhood #Sustainability #Education #Children #EfS #ECSConference #ECSC24 #Victoria #EarlyYears"

📢 Closing Panel: Engaging, Empowering, and Enacting Early Childhood Education for Sustainability 📢 Join us for the final session of the Australian Early Childhood Sustainability Conference, featuring a powerful closing panel of experts from various sectors of Early Childhood Education. This session will synthesise and reflect on the day’s discussions, focusing on the integration of sustainability within early childhood settings. Our panelists—Tracy Young, Jonny Isacsson, Iris Wan, and Bronwyn Joslyn—will explore key topics, including: ♻️ Inspirations and future aspirations in sustainable practices ⚡ Strategies to empower educators to embed sustainability in service operations 🪞The role of critical reflection in enacting sustainable practices 🌱 The impact of meaningful engagement with families and communities on sustainable practices FULL PROGRAM: https://lnkd.in/gqWC8F6N #EarlyChildhood #Sustainability #Education #Children #EfS #ECSConference #ECSC24 #Victoria #EarlyYears

Our conference is next week! On Friday, head down to the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria as part of one of our conference field trips 🌳 The The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden has set the bar for nature-based play. The entire garden is scaled for children, and specifically designed to intrigue young visitors to explore. The landscape is an invitation to climb, jump, crouch, crawl and revel in the natural world, a delight for children and carers alike 👶 Come and explore the offerings of a genuine space for children to learn about flora and fauna, through exposure to different forms, textures and colours, an active kitchen garden and true intergenerational space to share knowledge and learning 🚸 REGISTER: https://lnkd.in/ghM54CpN

Additional Opportunity for Conference Attendees! ❄️Antarctica, Ice of Imagination Art Exhibit ❄️ On Friday, 25th October, between 10 AM and 12 PM, don’t miss the LAST chance to visit the inspiring art exhibit, “Antarctica, Ice of Imagination,” presented by children from the University of Melbourne Early Childhood Education Services. Explore their unique artistic interpretations and understandings of Antarctica through their creative works. At 10:30 AM, join Helen Thomson, Director of ELC Abbotsford, for a special presentation sharing the story and journey behind this exhibit. Location: Studio Five, Level 5, Kwong Lee Dow Building, 234 Queensberry Street, Parkville VIC 3053. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gqWC8F6N #ECSConference2024 #ArtExhibit #EarlyChildhoodEducation #SustainabilityThroughArt #ECSC24 #Victoria #EarlyYears

🍻 Our Conference Welcome event takes place right nearby at the #Hawthorn Hotel 🍻 Attendees are invited to join us for an evening of snacks and drinks, and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Ian Potter Children's Garden with the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. We can not wait to bask in the collective learning of our Friday site visits whilst getting to know each other before our Saturday Conference program 🌱 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gqWC8F6N

Prof N'arwee't Carolyn Briggs AM is a keynote speaker for the Early Childhood Sustainability Conference 2024! Professor N’arwee’t Carolyn Briggs AM, a Boon Wurrung senior elder, founded the Boon Wurrung Foundation for cultural research and language restoration. For over 40 years, she has supported Indigenous youth and communities. Awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019, she holds a PhD and is a Professor at Monash University . N'arwee't will present on 'Decolonising waterways' 🌊 FULL PROGRAM: https://lnkd.in/gqWC8F6N #EarlyChildhood #Sustainability #Education #Children #EfS

ENGAGE: The ECS Conference aims to be a Zero-Waste Event 🚮 In line with our #sustainability goals, we encourage all participants to bring their own bag, reusable cup, drink bottle, lanyard, and note-taking equipment. Name tags will be printed on cardboard (no plastic pockets!) and delegates will write their own names to attach to reusable lanyards. We suggest you bring a water bottle, old lanyards and notebook as well ♻️ As a bonus, all delegates get a complimentary coffee from TD Cafe—so don’t forget your keep cup! Our goals: https://lnkd.in/gVPvjhp4 #ZeroWaste #BYOC #ECSConference #ECSC24 #Victoria #EarlyYears