This is our last editorial for 2009.

It has been an amazing year in relation to the amount of research and number of studies that were released from across the world in terms of what young children in their preschool and primary years need most to learn effectively and to gain a range of important life skills (two of the most impressive studies have been attached as PDF files at the bottom of this document).

It has been pleasing to see empirical studies confirm and affirm that in order to live a successful life, to be literate and numerate alongside being an effective problem solver, risk taker, effective communicator and to have a strong and positive sense of self and resilience, the learning environment must provide a mix of explicit instruction alongside opportunities for authentic active engagement in a range of planned play based experiences for children.

For many years past, and occasionally still, educators across the world such as ourselves are met with resistance, cynicism or suspicion or ignorance about the importance of active investigation being an integral part of children's learning. Our own research, as well high quality contemporary research, all affirm that children's oral language, comprehension, reading, writing and numeracy are all enhanced through the mix of explicit instruction and investigations. In addition, children's well being, social skills, attendance at and interest in school have increased significantly in schools across Australia that are implementing the Walker Learning Approach.

This year, we have worked across Australia with parent groups and schools, and many other early childhood organisations. Some of the highlights of 2009 include:

• A number of keynote addresses by Kathy at conferences in Queensland, Victoria, Northern Territory and NSW.
• Shona conducted a series of keynote addresses in Perth
• Shona and Kathy have conducted four conferences for interstate teachers, principals and leadership groups
• Many of our associates have presented and mentored in the ACT, Sydney and NT as well as our home base in Victoria.
• We are particularly pleased to be working with a number of homeland communities in the top end of NT.
• Kathy has been working this year on a new early years framework with the City of Yarra in Melbourne as well as continuing her work with other early childhood organisations.
• A number of parent workshop series were conducted across Melbourne during 2009
• The team again averaged 4 nights out every week during every term on community presentations to parent groups and teachers on a range of topics. The most popular and requested topics included; school readiness, children's behaviour, self esteem and resilience and of course, the importance of childhood and play.
• The team has also provided free counselling to 100's of parents over the course of the year (we have listened to and offered strategies and recommendations to an average of 10 parents each week).

This year was significant for our organisation as we became a recognised not for profit organisation and became officially known as Early Life Foundations.

We continue to specialise in early childhood research, education consultancy and parent support.

The Walker Learning Approach (Australian Developmental Curriculum) was trademarked to ensure quality of the teaching and learning methodology and to ensure that it was not confused with or interpreted as other methods across the world that use aspects of play.

The Walker Learning Approach (ADC) is now being implemented in 100's of schools across the country.

The formation of Early Life Foundations and trade marking of the Walker Learning Approach coincided with the launch of two new websites during 2009 (earlylife.com.au and walkerlearning.com.au). These are proving to be popular and it is great to witness the community contributing through the blog section. It is great to share ideas and thoughts about children, parenting and education.

Kathy continues to work and consult with many different government organisations as well as non government organisations. We are also working increasingly in the corporate sector, supporting working parents in the workplace and hope to expand and build upon this further during 2010.

Kathy has become a regular on many television, radio and print media (in a range of newspapers and magazines). It is great she has the opportunity to talk about the importance of childhood and parenting and education to the general public.

We are expanding our parenting consultations in 2010 with our new office and consulting rooms in Brighton, Melbourne.

The organisation has a commitment to ensuring that children, parents and teachers are supported through opportunities to speak with, consult with, hear from and read from Kathy and the team.

Kathy's new book for parents is being released through Penguin publishing early February 2010, its title is "Parenting". She will be working in Melbourne and Sydney with publicity for this book in the first two weeks of February.

We have another two new books on the horizon for 2010. Play ON, a book about project and active learning for middle and upper primary grades and a second (updated) edition of Play Matters.

Keep a look out on the website during the holidays and early next year for updates on all these and other initiatives.

Some final comments:

Childhood is a period in the lifespan that moves quickly through into adolescence. It is a time that needs to be respected, unhurried, and filled with rich deep play and creativity. Childhood is the most important part of life and the community at large must ensure we support, guide and provide young children with appropriate learning and opportunities that do not expect too much too soon. Despite the increasing pressure on teachers and school leaders for "performance" and a data driven mentality in education, children require time. We certainly advocate for an older starting age to school across the country and more equitable access to high quality early childhood programs before school.

As a general community, we need to guard against the early sexualisation of young children we witness through the media and ensure that we slow the pace of life for some children who are overscheduled.

We also acknowledge the importance of supporting parents and families. Many parents feel isolated or that the challenges with their own children are unique to themselves. Kathy has a specific chapter in her forthcoming book about how to support parents and one of her popular presentations this year was Happy Parents, Happy Children!!

Society needs to accept that childhood is a unique period of the lifespan. Some misguided efforts in some early childhood and academic circles have inadvertently shifted society away from recognising that as humans, we are biologically, neurologically and genetically influenced in our development, growth and learning, not just socially and culturally. Both nature and nurture have a huge impact on a young child.

Globally and nationally, there are still big issues that need to be addressed; the right to health, education and well being.

The issues of child protection in our own country certainly need urgent attention.

We also need far greater supports for children and parents with additional and special needs. The needs of those who work with young children and their need to be better supported.

We also continue to support the right for indigenous children to be supported and educated within culturally appropriate learning environments. We reject the belief that children must learn English before they have had the opportunity to acquire their own family language.

Our organisation continues to work and pursue these larger issues.

We wish everyone a happy break over the January season and acknowledge the dedication, commitment and energy that all parents, early childhood educators and teachers provide and give to children.