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Early Start

Research Translation and Resources

Translating research into practical tools designed to help children flourish

Underpinned by a world-class multidisciplinary research, Early Start specialise in improving people’s understanding of childhood development, learning and health, while also enhancing the ways professionals engage with children, parents and communities.

We provide evidence based information and resources to enhance your work with children and families.

Play & Learn Together

Play & Learn Together is a free, research-informed, play-based online learning hub to support families and carers with young children’s learning in the home environment.

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Play and Learn Together Logo - an Early Start initiative

Resources

Engagement team member Elizabeth Aylward Empowering Autistic and Neurodivergent Communities through research and practice

Ahead of World Autism Day 2022, UOW hosted a webinar to highlight how research, advocacy and partnerships can create inclusive communities to help empower autistic and neurodivergent communities, featuring Early Start’s Elizabeth Aylward.

dad and child playing The Preschool Situational Self-Regulation Toolkit

The PRSIST Program is a collection of professional learning videos (PRSIST Talks), Adult Practices (Practices), low-cost, play-based and everyday Child Activities, and home connections to support the development of children’s early self-regulation.

Photo of Child and Adult walking on log with gum boots Bushfire Response: Restoring a Sense of Safety and Security

This resource provides information to support educator’s understanding of the impacts of natural disasters on children’s behaviour and development, to help work towards recovery.

Dad with mum and Baby sitting on mum's lap How to speak to children during challenging times

Marc De Rosnay from Early Start at the University of Wollongong speaks to ABC’s James Valentine about talking to children during COVID19.

Interview scenario Expert Insight

Join Leanne Gibbs on the couch as she sits down to discuss key aspects of early childhood development with UOW and Early Start early childhood and education experts.

Young girl running, carefree through a field Caring for kids in times of crisis

Associate Professor Cathrine Neilsen-Hewett has developed deep insight into how young children react to stress, and what strategies we can put in place to help them.

Impacting policy and practice

Early Start Research has worked to impact policy and practice through:

  • Involvement in the development of the World Health Organization guidelines on physical activity sedentary behaviour, and sleep for children under 5 years of age; and leading the development of the World Health Organization global standards for healthy eating and movement behaviours in the early years.
  • Development and validation of the Early Years Toolbox (EYT), a collection of game-like iPad-based assessments that provide early childhood educators and researchers with information about children’s progress in foundational areas of learning and development. The EYT assessments have been accessed by more than 11,000 users, across more than 50 countries and 5 continents, and have now been translated into more than a dozen languages. In the Australian context, the EYT is currently being piloted by Australia’s largest early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider and by education providers in highly disadvantaged and regional and remote areas.
  • Leading an international study of movement behaviours in the early years, bringing together over 35 low, middle, and high income countries.
  • Exploration of the trajectories of children attending the Early Start Discovery Space.
  • Development of partnerships and collaborations with leading researchers and industry experts.
  • Partnering with Early Education and Care Centres and organisations throughout NSW to engage in collaborative research and support educators professional development and influence child outcomes.