Most children naturally develop verbal language skills by hearing others speak and by observing the communication process. However, the ability to read and write the printed text that represents spoken language – that is, to be literate (American Medical Association [AMA], 1999; Baker, 1999; Rowe & Rowe, 1999) – does not develop as a matter...

The Australian and state and territory governments are committed to the development of a national Early Years Learning Framework, and a process of consultation with the early childhood sector about the nature and content of the Framework is currently being undertaken. This Policy Brief is designed to provide policy makers and practitioners with an orientation...

The National Children’s Vision Screening Project has been funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing to inform future policy by determining the effectiveness of vision screening for children aged from birth to 16 years in Australia. The literature review was commissioned to evaluate screening programs designed to detect vision conditions such as diminished...

Starting school is an exciting but also potentially stressful time for children and families alike. It is one of the key transition points during childhood. All such transitions are known to be times of particular vulnerability for young children, when earlier developmental and social progress is placed at risk. A successful transition to school is...

The Victorian Government's establishment of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will integrate early childhood services and schools across Victoria. Three discussion papers are available to provide an overview of this process, to examine early childhood development and school reform. Find these three discussion papers below in related content.