Early Learning Matters for EVERYONE

Positive Pieces Education
Jul 28
3 min read

This week, we join early childhood educators, families, and communities across the country in celebrating Early Learning Matters Week 2025 — a time to recognise the incredible importance of the early years and the powerful impact that quality early learning has on children’s development, wellbeing, and lifelong success.

From the first scribbles with crayons to the first attempts at sharing toys, early learning is where it all begins. It’s in these precious early years that children develop the foundational skills that shape how they think, feel, and relate to the world around them.

Why Early Learning Matters

Research tells us what early childhood professionals have known for years — the first five years of life are critical. During this time, the brain develops more rapidly than at any other stage, forming the building blocks for learning, behaviour, and health.

Early learning is not just about preparing children for school — it’s about helping them develop curiosity, confidence, empathy, and resilience. It’s about sparking a lifelong love of learning, one playful experience at a time.

The Role of Educators

At the heart of early learning are passionate educators who do so much more than teach. They nurture, guide, listen, and inspire. They create environments where children feel safe, valued, and capable of great things. Their work is complex and deeply meaningful, and during Early Learning Matters Week, we say a heartfelt thank you.

To every early childhood educator: your work is transformative. You are laying the foundation for the future — child by child, day by day.

Families and Communities: Partners in Learning

Early learning thrives when families and communities are part of the journey. Whether it’s through reading at home, engaging in play, or supporting early learning services, families are essential partners in helping children grow. Early Learning Matters Week is also a celebration of that partnership — recognising that when we all work together, children thrive.

Building Social-Emotional Skills with Second Step

One powerful way early learning services are supporting children’s development is through the Second Step Early Learning program, published by Positive Pieces Education. This evidence-based program helps young children build essential skills in self-regulation, empathy, and problem-solving — skills that are foundational for healthy relationships and successful learning. With its engaging lessons and playful, age-appropriate activities, Second Step empowers educators to weave social-emotional learning into everyday moments, creating classrooms where every child feels supported, understood, and ready to thrive.

The Second Step Early Learning program is aligned with Learning Outcomes 1 to 5 outlined in The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia and now includes 5 additional weekly themes focused on child protection.

Second Step Early Learning social-emotional learning and child protection resources create a positive and safe learning environment for the whole child. These lessons and resources bring together social-emotional learning, executive function, self-regulation, and child safety to foster a safe and supported learning environment for all. Click here to view a sample lesson.

An Important Time in a Child's Development

Recent research shows that pre-schoolers experience sizeable growth in the prefrontal cortex of the brain― the region most closely related to self-regulation skills.

Self-regulation skills lay the groundwork for school achievement and success in early adulthood.

Join the Celebration

This week, we encourage everyone to get involved in celebrating early learning:

Visit your local early learning centre and see firsthand the magic of learning through play.
Share stories and photos that highlight the value of early learning in your community.
Thank an early childhood educator for the incredible work they do.
Spread the word on social media using #EarlyLearningMatters.