Association for the Education & Care of Young Children Vereniging vir Voorskoolse Opvoeding en Sorg

Newsletter November 2019

REVIEWS, REPORTS AND REORGANISATION… At a time when we are busy fina-lising reports we look back at a year in the light of development of the children in our classroom and cen-tre, the staff and their professional growth and the ECD sector at large.

The committee commemorate each teacher and caretaker, principal and assistant for the role they played during the past year in ca-ring for, nurturing, developing and setting up opportunities for play, growth and learning in their baby-rooms, classrooms and centres.

A couple of highlights of the past month: The Birth to Four NCF workshop was presented in Soshanguve on 26 Oct and at New Hope School on 9 November. Eager practitioners learned about the Early Learning Developmental Areas and gained valuable insight in the practical implementation thereof. “How can education in the early years be adapted to ensure optimal learning?” This question was thoroughly pondered when several areas were covered at the workshop on 16 November in

Pretoria East. The emotional and gross motor development as well as discipline in the classroom was considered, as well as having an autistic learner(s) in the class. Factors that impede learning was discussed as well as cog-nitive brain functions and the role they play in the learning process. All in all, it was a very informative and fun-filled day.

The committee of the AECYC played their part in represen-ting its members during forum meetings held at a variety of institutions over the past month. The SACE stakeholder’s forum on 15 November regarding the professionalisation path for ECD practitioners was atten-ded as well as the 13th ECD Knowledge Building Seminar on 21 November.

We are looking forward to more learning and serving opportunities in 2020!

SAVE THE DATE! Members are specially invited to the

AECYC seminar on 7 March 2020 at UNISA’s Main Hall in Pretoria.

A panel of specialists will present on the adverse effect of inappropriate screen time management on the development of young children (babies up to Gr R). You can look forward to a pre- sentation by Dr Melody de Jager among others. The emotional well-being of our teachers as well as the inner ba- lance of our little ones will be addressed. Practical ideas to im- plement keeping in mind the young child, the teacher and the parent will be offered. Only members will receive a copy of the Learning Years/ Kleuter-klanke resource book at the seminar. Copies will also be on sale.