In 2009, the Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) was completed nationwide for the first time. Between 1 May and 31 July, information was collected on 261,203 children (97.5 per cent of the estimated national five-year-old population). The AEDI is a population measure of children’s development in communities across Australia. The AEDI gives us a national...

It is well established that the vulnerable groups in our society (those who need our services the most), access services the least. This was first termed the ‘inverse care law’ (Hart, 1971) in 1971 and remains true today. It is also widely accepted that these groups commonly suffer the worst outcomes, be they Aboriginal or...

This paper examines pathways through which parental characteristics might affect children's cognitive and behavioural outcomes. Using the 2004 LSAC, the author shows that more educated and mentally healthier parents are likely to have children with better outcomes. While educated parents are more frequently engaged in education-oriented activities with their children, mentally healthier parents exhibit more...

Mass media play a significant role in most people’s lives, affecting family routines, social interactions, cultural norms, and leisure activities – all of which impact upon contemporary childhood. Television is particularly significant in early childhood; it is the child’s first and most enduring contact with the mass media and an integral part of the overall...

As a child and family health professional, opportunities may arise in your daily interaction with families to encourage and support the promotion of early literacy. This article will provide an update on current early literacy knowledge and address the challenges professionals encounter when introducing literacy programs in culturally diverse communities. In recent years, the promotion...