David Witty

Recent Posts

Can ECE prepare children for careers that don’t exist yet?

Posted by David Witty on 12/08/19 3:38 PM

Many people don't know what they want to do even until near the end of school. Traditionally students don't experience any form of career development until they are in high school when they are choosing exam subjects. However, more recently, there have been moves in some countries to start talking about careers in primary school. Particularly before children become too set on gender stereotypes.

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Topics: Child Development

Applying the Pikler approach in early years education

Posted by David Witty on 4/07/19 10:49 AM

An infant lies on the floor, gently rocking from side to side until she eventually succeeds in rolling over onto her tummy. Nearby, another baby is wriggling on his back, slowly making his way towards a toy until he can stretch out and reach to pick it up. 

A third little one is sitting up with a straight back and perfect posture, investigating an object in her hand. A caregiver is busy nearby - she keeps an eye on the infants but does not interfere with their play to assist or correct them.

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Topics: Teaching Philosophies, Child Development

A look into the Reggio Emilia approach

Posted by David Witty on 16/05/19 8:18 AM

At the end of World War II, a group of parents from the city Reggio nell’ Emilia in Northern Italy took the initiative to rebuild and re-frame early childhood education in their region. The sale of some horses and military vehicles financed the first building, built from stone and timber sourced by local villagers. The municipality also helped to establish several preschools and nurseries, all of them based on the ideas of exploration, collaboration, creative expression and critical thinking.

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Topics: Teaching Philosophies, Early Childhood Education Centre

The impact of screen time in children and how to manage it

Posted by David Witty on 29/04/19 11:43 AM

The effect of screen time on children has been a topic of interest ever since the first television programs were screened. While most families happily rearranged their dinner habits back in 1941 to be able to make the most of this wonderful new world of information and entertainment, they were warned by educators, doctors and prophets of doom that the health, well-being and morals of humankind may suffer due to this new trend.

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Topics: Child Development

Recognising and meeting the needs of neurodiverse children

Posted by David Witty on 17/04/19 11:14 AM

Neurodiverse children are often overlooked especially in early childhood education where it can be hard to differentiate between children who have a specific issue and those who are just late in developing.

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Topics: Child Development, Neurodiversity