As we shift into a new year, take the time to reflect on the changes in your life. How do you view and adapt to these changes? Understanding ourselves will help us to understand others, including the children and families we support as they navigate the changes in their lives.

Recognizing the impact family has had in shaping your identity is central for recognizing the important role families have in the lives of the children you nurture – and it opens up possibilities to engage with families in deeper ways. Welcoming families into early learning spaces helps honour and support the foundations families are building for their children.

Together let’s step up to empower children, to hear their voices and honour all the ways they change the world. Help children’s voices get heard. When we listen to what children have to say and use their ideas, they have the power to inspire a better world for everyone.

As students return to school, early childhood educators also have an opportunity to nurture curiosity and creativity, to focus on personal growth, learning and development. Spend time this month learning, listening and reflecting on the role early childhood educators have in reconciliation.

Playing and learning outdoors creates a sense of place, a sense of connection to the land and to others. It supports children in every aspect of development. We encourage and invite you to find as many ways as possible to spend your days with the children in your care playing and learning outdoors.

A garden is a perfect metaphor for early childhood education. We plant seeds of love and care, nurture with guidance and affection, and hope to see the outcomes of our work as children grow and thrive.

As educators, we have opportunities to create supportive and inclusive environments for each child in our care. An inclusive early learning culture ensures that all children can be actively and meaningfully involved in play and learning alongside one another.

Our views of ourselves, others and our world begins in our earliest years and sets the course for all the years that follow. If you want to see the future, look towards the work early childhood educators are doing with the children of today.

At this time of year, seasonal book collections are full of stories celebrating snowflakes – their uniqueness, diversity and beauty. Like snowflakes, children are also capable in their uniqueness, and full of potential.