Connections and Foundations for early childhood educators

Connections and Foundations are two examples of Everymind's work with early childhood educators to support children's mental health and wellbeing.

Connections

Connections was a practical resource for early childhood educators containing information about supporting children (birth to eight years) in a range of settings including long day care, family day care, preschool and out of school hours care.

Connections was developed in 2014 by Everymind with funding from the Australian Government through the Department of Education.

The resource outlined the skills and practices of educators that are associated with positive mental health and wellbeing for children. It also provided practical examples and tips to help educators adapt these ideas to fit their service, and meet the unique needs of their children and families.

It featured a range of reflective questions and case studies, as well as links to the National Quality Standard (NQS), Belonging, Being and Becoming – The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia and My Time, Our Place – Framework for School Age Care in Australia.

In addition, it included factsheets on topics such as family conflict and separation; trauma, loss and grief; supporting additional mental health needs; discussing mental health concerns with families; and helping a person in distress.

Foundations

Foundations was a series of professional development magazines published between 2009 – 2012. They provided practical information to early childhood educators, families and communities on promoting the social and emotional wellbeing of children.

Foundations provided articles on current topics and issues, and increased the knowledge and skills of children’s services staff, enabling them to promote the mental health of the children in their care and to provide valuable support to those children who may be at increased risk of mental health concerns.

Foundations supported the focus on wellbeing in both the National Quality Framework and the Early Years Learning Framework.

Foundations was developed by Everymind with funding from Xstrata Coal.