‘Connect 5’ is a training and resource platform designed to support the foundational knowledge and skills, of Early Childhood educators.  It is available to those, who are either enrolled in a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, or, who would like to refresh and further develop practical skills to support the foundations, of how to build connections with children. ‘Connect 5’ is a valuable repertoire that includes professional training, easy to access resources and practical examples on how to connect and support children’s learning.

 

At Imagine Childcare we are committed to language rich environments with responsive adults, the Abecedarian Approach Australia (3a) identifies through scientific evidence and research that high-quality adult-child interactions are proven to positively and significantly impact children’s learning now and long into their futures. ‘Connect 5’ uses the foundation of 3a to support building connections with children with the use of ‘Learning Games’ and other communication-based learning strategies. We are committed to providing all educators with the tools and skills, required to ensure that children are nurtured in environments, that will support them in their development. ‘Connect 5’ supports our commitment to high-quality, adult-child interactions and is founded on the scientific evidence, that high-quality connections between a child and an adult, result in maximising children’s learning outcomes.

 

Along with supporting a high-quality adult-child connection, ‘Connect 5’ aligns with research supporting the inclusion of increased opportunities, for sensory motor enrichment in all children.  By inviting children to participate in experiences that include movement, auditory, proprioceptive, visual, tactile and proprioceptive input, we help to lay a solid foundation for the development of more complex sensory motor and perceptual motor skills.  These foundation skills in turn support the development of higher level skills relating to independence, behavioural regulation and academic learning.

 

‘Connect 5’ is founded on the use of the following five elements:

-        5 Learning Games

-        5 Movement Games

-        5 Books

-        5 Rhymes

-        5 Songs

 

Each of the ‘Connect 5’ elements were selected in the understanding of Lev Vygotsky’s social development theory which identifies, the individual learning a child can accomplish is advanced by the support of a more knowledgeable and/or more competent peer or adult. The five elements of ‘Connect 5’ are all suitable to be used with the facilitation of an adult and one child or in small groups of children.