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Early Years Edit - August 2026
In this edition:
- World Breastfeeding Week – 1–7 August
- Early Learning Matters Week – 3–9 August
- Healthy Family Screen Use
- Parent Pathways Program
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day – 4 August
- Social Cohesion Education Hub
- Why the Earliest Years Matter
- Spring Safe Storytime
- Indigenous Literacy Day – 2 September
- Play Active celebrates International Day of Play
World Breastfeeding Week – 1–7 August
World Breastfeeding Week is a global campaign led by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) and is celebrated annually from 1 to 7 August to promote awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding for children, families and communities. This year’s theme, Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works, reinforces the importance of maintaining and strengthening the supports that help families achieve their feeding goals. Parents are encouraged to seek trusted information and support, while communities, workplaces and services play an important role in creating breastfeeding-friendly environments and providing evidence-based information, including through the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
Early Learning Matters Week – 3–9 August
Early Learning Matters Week highlights the positive impact quality early childhood education has on children, families and communities, and how play-based learning, nurturing relationships and inclusive environments build strong foundations for lifelong learning, wellbeing and development. Early Childhood Australia provides resources for advocacy, event registration and opportunities to thank our early childhood educators for the important role they play in supporting our youngest learners every day.
Healthy Family Screen Use
The Curtin University Healthy Digital Child research group has developed two evidence-informed resources to support healthy family screen use – one for families and one for professionals working with children and their families. The resources bring together practical guidance, activity ideas and links to trusted information from the Raising Children Network, Nature Play WA, ABC Kids and the eSafety Commissioner.
Parent Pathways
Parent Pathways is a free, voluntary program supporting unemployed parents and carers of children under six to work towards personal, education or employment goals. Participants can access one-on-one mentoring, training, literacy support, childcare assistance and funding for approved activities and resources. Learn more about eligibility, local providers and available support through the Parent Pathways website.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day – 4 August
Tuesday 4 August is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day. This year's theme is Living Our Truth, celebrating the journeys Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children take as they grow, guided by culture, community and connection to Country. SNAICC – National Voices for our Children, invites all Australians to join the nationwide celebration, to listen to and value children’s voices, and to recognise the importance of nurturing their experiences, identities and aspirations. Learn more, join the celebration and register your event on the SNAICC website.
Social Cohesion Education Hub
The Social Cohesion Education Hub, an Australian Government initiative, is a free online resource for early years services, schools and families. The hub offers quality-assured resources, professional learning and practical guidance for children and young people from early childhood through to Year 12. Families, educators and practitioners can access information, tools and activities that promote inclusion, respect and belonging, helping children build positive relationships and thrive in diverse communities.
Why the Earliest Years Matter
A new research brief from the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center highlights the critical importance of the period from pregnancy to age three in shaping children's health, learning and wellbeing. Drawing on evidence from neuroscience, child development and public health research, the brief outlines the earliest influences on child development, including relationships and environments. Organised around universal objectives, it provides a valuable resource for policymakers, advocates and service providers working to improve outcomes for young children and their families.
Spring Safe Storytime
The Spring Safe Storytime campaign provides an opportunity to reinforce important water safety messages ahead of the warmer months. The initiative encourages libraries and community organisations to host free events for young children and families, combining storytelling and literacy activities with practical water safety and drowning prevention education. Visit Spring Safe Storytime on the Kids Alive Do the Five website to learn more and access a range of supporting resources.
Indigenous Literacy Day – 2 September
Indigenous Literacy Day celebrates the rich stories, cultures and languages of First Nations peoples. Led by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, the day highlights the importance of culturally relevant books and literacy opportunities for children. This year’s theme, Country Is Our Teacher, encourages us to learn from and value the knowledge, stories and connections that have been shared across generations. Learn more and register for the free film and livestream on the Indigenous Literacy Foundation website.
Play Active celebrates International Day of Play
On 11 June, International Day of Play, Play Active brought together researchers, policymakers, change makers, community leaders, and children and staff from the early learning service at Perth Children's Hospital to ensure the evidence behind the importance of active play translates into real-world action. Supporters celebrating play included the Commissioner for Children and Young People WA, Play Matters Collective, the Office of Early Childhood, Atlantis Group, Captain Starlight and The Kids Research Institute, highlighting a shared interest in supporting children's healthy development through play.
The Play Active team welcomes all WA early learning services to join the Play Active program and help boost children's healthy development, wellbeing and school readiness through energetic play experiences.
A Little More...
- Latest Kidsafe WA Childhood Injury Bulletins released, including Eye Injuries, Head Injuries and Sport-related Head Injuries.
- Reforming early childhood support systems through self determination, cultural strength and community-led delivery, Thriving Kids policy paper, SNAICC – National Voice for our children.
- Early childhood food and nutrition security: Policy pathways to reduce hunger, Articles from the National Early Years Policy Summit 2025, Children Australia.
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Early Years Edit Archive
Visit Early Years Edit to find previous versions of the newsletter and Connecting Early Years Networks for more information about Early Years Networks.
