Factors that Support Children's Wellbeing, Development and Learning.

Physical Health & Wellbeing 

• Nourishment, warmth and shelter
• Opportunities to practice fine and gross motor skills
• Supportive environments that foster physical independence

• Social support structures for families facing hardship
• Accessible and welcoming areas for children and families to engage in outdoor play
• Accessible health services
• Food security

Social Competence 

• Opportunities to interact with adults and peers
• Opportunities to play
• Consistency and support – set boundaries and limits while also understanding and celebrating children’s emerging autonomy
• Story reading and play

• Supports in ECEC services for children who are not coping with the demands of the learning and social environment
• Accessible, high quality early childhood education and care services or playgroups
• Opportunities to interact regularly with peers and develop friendships
• Opportunities for children to engage in free play with peers
• Support parents in their parenting

Emotional Maturity 

• Supportive adult interactions in the early years while learning to regulate emotions
• Opportunities to practice emotion regulation across settings and situations
• Supportive adult interactions in the early years while learning to persevere when challenged
• Adults who provide new information when children are calm and focused
• Adults who respond to children’s emotions respectfully and empathetically
• Opportunities for play

• Supports for children who have experienced trauma
• Trained educators who are able to support children who have experienced trauma
• Opportunities for play (e.g. playgroups)
• Opportunities for parents to develop skills and capabilities that will empower them to support their children’s emotional development
• Low cost or no cost parenting supports for families facing hardship

Language and Cognitive Skills 
(school-based) 

• Opportunities to practice memory, problem solving skills, and creative thinking
• Exposure to reading and numerical concepts
• Create learning opportunities in routine activities and play
• Language rich early environments that encourage children to talk and share what they know

• Access to quality early childhood services (e.g. preschool and playgroup)

Communication Skills and General Knowledge 

• Opportunities for listening and talking
• Imaginative play
• Story telling

• Accessibility of high quality early learning environments (e.g. playgroups, library programs, child and parent centres)