{"id":1035,"date":"2019-05-24T15:48:35","date_gmt":"2019-05-24T05:48:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ltafeccc.com.au\/?page_id=1035"},"modified":"2019-05-24T15:53:59","modified_gmt":"2019-05-24T05:53:59","slug":"elsa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ltafeccc.com.au\/elsa\/","title":{"rendered":"ELSA"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Your child and ELSA<\/h3>

Early Learning STEM Australia<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n

If your child is attending a preschool service taking part in the ELSA Pilot, you may be wondering what this means for your family.<\/p>\n

ELSA<\/a> is a program designed to help children explore s<\/strong>cience, t<\/strong>echnology, e<\/strong>ngineering and m<\/strong>athematics (STEM) through hands-on and digital activities. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. The digital activities are delivered via ELSA children\u2019s apps, which are available at the preschool service on their iPads and\/or Android tablets.<\/p>\n

You will need to give your consent before your child can participate in the 2019 ELSA Pilot.<\/p>\n

Download the parental consent form<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

ELSA Apps<\/h4>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n

ELSA apps go beyond the screen to encourage active play and act as a springboard for children to explore the natural world. The apps prompt children to ask questions, make predictions, experiment, and reflect on what happened and why.<\/p>\n

Each child taking part in the pilot will use the ELSA apps for a maximum of 40 minutes per week (usually broken up into smaller sessions). The pilot aims to minimise screen time while maximising learning\u00a0outcomes, with two-thirds of the program being off-app.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/main><\/div><\/div>

\n
<\/div>

Why STEM Practices are important<\/h3>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n

The ELSA Pilot enables children to explore STEM Practices. These are the ideas, methods and values that underpin STEM. They are important because they help children develop strong skills and values that are useful later in life, such\u00a0as:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • problem finding and solving<\/li>\n
  • communication<\/li>\n
  • creativity<\/li>\n
  • using tools to produce artefacts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>
    \n

    ELSA and the Early Years Learning Framework<\/h4>
    <\/div><\/div><\/div>
    \n

    ELSA is aligned with the\u00a0Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). EYLF describes outcomes which support and enhance young children\u2019s learning from birth to five years of age, as well as their transition to\u00a0school.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>
    \n

    What will the ELSA Pilot look like?<\/h4>
    <\/div><\/div><\/div>
    \n

    Preschool services are customising ELSA activities to meet the needs of children and families in their community. This means that the ELSA Pilot may look different in other services. Generally, though, you can expect that your child will interact with ELSA as part of their daily play and learning.<\/p>\n

    The ELSA Pilot will introduce STEM concepts and practices to children via three steps \u2013 experience, represent and apply – using on- and off-app activities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

    <\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
    \n
      \n

    • Step 1<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>