A SCONE local has teamed up with the creator of a program called Visible Wellbeing to help develop a one-of-a-kind framework for early learning.
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Yellow Cottage Preschool Director Kirsty Hails worked with Visible Wellbeing Project Manager Claire Fortune to co-write the Strength Stars Framework (SSF), a strength-based wellbeing framework, initiated by Professor Lea Waters, for early learning through preschools and day care centres, facilitated by Upper Hunter charity Where There's A Will.
More than 60 teachers from day care centres and preschools across the Upper Hunter began their training in Visible Wellbeing in Scone last month.
Another 60 teachers began their training last Saturday in Muswellbrook.
This is the first time that teachers from anywhere working with preschool children have undertaken training in Visible Wellbeing specifically shaped for Early Learning.
As Kirsty and The Yellow Cottage Preschool educators learnt the Visible Wellbeing training through Lea Waters, they embedded a strength-based approach into The Yellow Cottage learning environment.
This had a natural alignment with early childhood education principles and practices.
"The Yellow Cottage team is passionate about the wellbeing of their Preschool students. This has been the driving force behind the research and strength-based approach initiated at The Yellow Cottage," Kirsty Hails said.
Scone Grammar School Educational Leader Georgi Ryan has been an inspiring and positive leader for staff, in terms of incorporating this approach into Early Childhood frameworks and programs, working tirelessly to educate staff and families about the importance of this program.
"We identify and respond to the unique character strengths and interests of each child and their family," Kirsty Hails said.
"Our strength-based language provides a common way for educators and parents to communicate with children at home and at school, forming a connection between the two to strengthen our learning community."
"It encourages educators to use each individual child's character as a clue to what each child finds interesting and meaningful.
"By doing this, we are naturally creating an authentic, holistic and responsive learning environment for our students."
Scone Grammar School Principal Paul Smart said Visible Wellbeing is about bringing wellbeing to life in school learning environments.
"Rolling out a tangible approach to wellbeing from preschool onwards means that our students at Scone Grammar School and indeed throughout the Upper Hunter are understanding their own strengths and building resilience from as young as three years of age, right through to when they leave school as a young adult," he said.
"We are extremely proud of Kirsty and our team at The Yellow Cottage Preschool.
"Along with Lea Waters and Where there's a Will, their contribution to our learning communities throughout the Upper Hunter and indeed further afield, is profound."
