Talking Matters Development Track 2016-2020
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- Alison talked about the progress to date in getting independent funding. Discussions have been underway for some months with NEXT Foundation and they are currently doing due diligence on COMET and on the importance of early oral language.
- The group reviewed the plan submitted to the NEXT Foundation and gave feedback on more powerful language, risks and opportunities in the project. The one page visual has been adapted based on the feedback.
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Quality improvement - to promote effective action
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- Collective impact projects begin to be effective when quality improvement systems are integrated in. This applies to early oral language.
- The 5 centres are committed to improving the oral language of centre children by December 2016, using a process of collaboration and rapid prototyping on a small scale to learn how to work with families and children. Three participants talked about what they are learning about PDSA – the PLAN, DO, STUDY, ACT cycle. it was inspiring to hear what could be learned and changed in a short time. Now We’re Talking. The MOE is using a quality improvement project in 5 ECE centres, in partnership with Ko Awatea (Health Innovation Centre) and the Auckland Kindergarten Association -
- Two case studies about how an ECE centre and a community library in Scotland used the PLAN, DO, STUDY ACT cycle to try out small changes and learn fast about what works to get more families reading bedtime stories for children (see attached).
There was discussion on whether improvement science would be a great starting platform in the Talking Matters Network.
- If you are an ECE centre linked to Talking Matters and want to be part of the second group of ECEs taking part in Now we’re talking, get in touch for more information.
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Quality Improvement – free training
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- Improving Together is a free national training course for people interested in quality improvement. Anyone can sign up and complete the 4 online modules free. This is a great place to start, to learn how to use simple processes to improve how you do your work and how to improve the quality of service you provide to others.
http://improvementmethodology.govt.nz/
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Reviewing key messages and draft infographic
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- Attendees gave valuable feedback about an infographic that shows the link between attachment, early oral language and literacy success. That’s a work in development which we will bring back to the group.http://improvementmethodology.govt.nz/
- Reinforce that families, teachers, trusted messenger organisations may not be aware of the important benefits of oral language (and the long-term impact of poor development)
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New reports and research on oral language
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Talking Matters – a generic presentation and data for TM members to use
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- Alison showed a ‘generic presentation’ on why talking matters and why we need a campaign about it. It still needs a bit of editing before we make it more widely available. The purpose of it is to support TM participating organisations to make the case for investing time and resources into Talking Matters and related initiatives.
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New books on oral language - by people linked to Talking Matters!
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- As well as essential information about effective teacher practice, oral language features, purposes, expectations, assessment and oral language in innovative learning environments, the tool kit includes a large number of practical strategies that can be incorporated into teaching.
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- This book is about young children who learn through more than one language in Aotearoa New Zealand –te reo MÄori, as well as children with Pasifika and immigrant community languages. It offers innovative strategies for representing and incorporating the languages and cultural practices of children and their families into the curriculum.
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Learning through play and being outside
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- A few people at the Network meeting were involved in promoting outdoor play. Here are a few blog posts about the link between learning and literacy outside from Juliet Robertson, a Scottish Outdoor Play specialist who came to NZ last year (unfortunately very few people knew that she was here and running sessions). Juliet wrote
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Toddlers Day Out 14th May, Massey Leisure Centre
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- The Toddler Day Out 2016 will be at Massey Leisure Centre in Don Buck Road, 10am-3pm on Saturday 14th May 2016.
- Let’s hope the importance of talking, playing, singing and reading with your kids is very visible during Toddlers Day Out.
- Let’s work together to have a mobile fabulous Talking Matters display at festivals and events like this in the future.
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NEXT MEETING
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- June 24th – more details later
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