Professor Frank Oberklaid AM was guest speaker at APPA’s Parliamentary Friends of Primary Education event in Canberra on 13 August at APH.

His topic:’ The economic and moral imperative of investing properly in early childhood education’ was chosen to highlight that children’s academic  outcomes could be improved by attention to intervention in the early years.

Download a copy and read Frank’s speech here

Frank in a later conversation said to me that a child not being able to read at age 8, is an education emergency and should be responded to in the same way as a medical emergency.

This is behind APPA’s National Advisory Council’s commitment to using its network of school newsletters and other communications to build a shared understanding of the importance of the first one thousand days of a child’s life.  And our message is not about families engaging in expensive programs or activities; it’s the everyday moments to talk, read and play with a child and ensuring they get good food and good sleep.

It’s about investing in early childhood so that the critical periods for brain development are quality and positively shape a child’s future learning, behaviour, and well-being.

Research shows that children who access quality early childhood education start school ready to succeed, leading to better academic performance, higher graduation rates, and stronger social skills.

For APPA, this means that a focus on the ‘thriving five’ (Play, talk, read, eat and sleep) contributes to building a stronger, more equitable future. The benefits extend far beyond the classroom, reducing long-term social inequalities and driving economic growth. The return on this investment is immense: from reduced remedial education costs to a more engaged and capable future workforce.

Let’s champion early childhood education and give every child the best start in life!

Angela Falkenberg
APPA President