Promoting Safe Sleep Unfortunately, SIDS and Sleep Accidents still cause unexpected infant deaths across Australia. Here are some safe sleeping tips to reduce the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) and promote positive sleep for babies. Top Safe Sleeping Tips Sleeping Environment Put babies to sleep on their back. A flat, firm mattress […]
Developing Emotionally Intelligent Children
What is Emotional Intelligence You may have heard about IQ but what about EI? EI stands for emotional intelligence. It is the ability to express and control feelings. Let’s find out why developing emotionally intelligent children in early education is important. Journalist and Psychologist Daniel Goleman first coined the term Emotional Intelligence in his 1995 […]
CHILDREN’S WEEK 2019 KICKS OFF WITH GO FOR 2 & 5 FAMILY FUN DAY
Children’s Week in Western Australia will officially launch this Sunday with the ‘Go for 2&5 Children’s Week Family Fun Day at Whiteman Park’. The week will see a series of events run around the State to celebrate this year’s theme – ‘A child’s right to be healthy, safe and happy’. The Go for 2&5 Children’s […]
Getting Kids in the Kitchen
Cooking is a fun, tactile way to engage young children. Getting kids in the kitchen also helps to develop essential life skills while promoting social, mental and physical health. So, grab your apron and your utensils and learn more about the benefits of creating a yummy meal with your child! Cognitive Development Children can […]
2019 Children’s Week Grant Recipients Announced
Meerilinga Young Children’s Foundation have today announced the recipients of the 2019 Children’s Week grants. A total of 115 applications were received for the $60,000 worth of funding available. Of the 115 applicants 67 grants were approved, coming from regions across Western Australia including the Gascoyne, Goldfields and Esperance, Great Southern, Kimberley, Mid-West, Peel, Perth […]
Balancing Virtual and Real Life
Balancing Act Balancing Virtual and Real Life for your tween or teen is tricky when they are becoming increasingly connected online. A Pew Research Center study reveals 95% of teens use a smartphone with 45% saying they are online ‘almost constantly’. In addition, technology can also pose serious risks to including cyber bullying, trolling and potential […]
The Importance of Outdoor Play in Early Childhood
Outdoor play is an important aspect of early childhood. It contributes to key physical and mental development, which can play a role in physical health later on in life. Here are some reasons why outdoor play in the early years is so important. Builds a connection with nature and the outdoors Outdoor play helps children […]
Science in Early Learning
Creating a Vibrant Future! It’s National Science Week in Australia! And there are many reasons why we should talk about Science in Early Learning. Science in Early Learning is important as it allows little people to understand the world around them and develop skills to shape a Vibrant Future. It also helps them to develop […]
History of Child Rights
Children’s Rights Long and ever evolving is the History of Child Rights. This Children’s Week, we explore this history. The need for change Children, like adults, have basic human rights. However, prior to the early twenty-first century, there were no legal safeguards to protect them. Children often worked alongside adults in dangerous, unsanitary and unethical conditions. […]
Breaking Gender Stereotypes in Early Education
Gender Stereotypes in Early Education Breaking Gender Stereotypes in Early Education promotes equality in early childhood. This is important as research shows gender stereotypes impact the way we judge the abilities of young boys and girls. What are gender Stereotypes? Gender stereotypes are general views about the behaviors or roles men and women should posses. […]
Meerilinga joins the Street Library Revolution
At Meerilinga we’re proud to be active in the local community. One of the things we’ve done to ensure this is to join the Street Library Revolution! Each of our six centres is now home to a Street Library. The Street Libraries are for everyone to borrow, donate and share books. The aim of this […]
Welcome to CBCA Book Week 2019!
Welcome to CBCA Book Week 2019! Every year in August communities across Australia celebrate Australian Children’s literature during CBCA Book Week. This year the week runs from 17 – 23 August, with the theme ‘Reading is my Secret Power’. The week aims to bring children and books together to encourage literacy and reading. The children […]
The Importance of Literacy in the Early Years
Literacy in the early years is crucial to building a foundation for your child’s development. Studies have found that there is a direct link between the number of words a baby hears and their language skills. The good news is that you can begin on the road to developing your child’s literary skills from birth. […]
What to look for in an Early Learning Program
How to choose an early learning program to suit your family Deciding on the right early learning program for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. There are many different types of programs available and as such choosing which best fits your needs can be difficult. To help, we’ve […]
2019 Children’s Week Grants now OPEN!
Tuesday, 9 July 2019 (West Leederville, Western Australia) – Applications for the 2019 Children’s Week Community Grants are now open. The grants of up to $1,000 are available to not-for-profit community groups and local governments to host events in remote, regional and metropolitan Western Australia. The aim of the grants is to provide West Australian’s […]
National Volunteer Week 2019 – Making a World of Difference
National Volunteer Week runs from 20 – 26 May this year. The week acknowledges the huge commitment and contribution that volunteers make to organisations – organisations that include Meerilinga Young Children’s Foundation. Meerilinga has more than 40 volunteers who contribute their time over the course of the year. From volunteering in our Early Learning Programs, […]