While we are always encouraging more men to take up careers as childcare professionals, it’s no secret that early childhood education is a female-dominated industry. In fact, men only make up around 2 percent of the childcare workforce in Australia! Similarly, while dads are more involved than ever before, mums are still the primary caregivers in most families. With International Women’s Day coming up this Sunday 8 March, what better time to acknowledge the inspiring effort women put into children’s lives each and every day.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #EachforEqual. The idea behind this theme is to encourage every man, woman and child to choose equality and work together for a gender equal world. After all, a gender equal world is the best way forward for every man, woman and child!

While we’re acknowledging amazing women, we couldn’t possibly forget to mention early childhood educator and philosopher Maria Montessori. Dr Maria Montessori (1870 – 1952) was an inspirational educator who developed a unique and progressive method of educating children. In fact, many Montessori elements have been incorporated into Bonkers Beat’s educational programs.

The Montessori goal is to inspire children to have a lifelong love of learning that follows their natural learning direction. It enables children to become confident, independent and responsible learners. The focus is on self-realisation through independent activity, making use of their scientific powers of observation and reflection and focus on the educator as the keeper of the environment. A big thank you to Maria Montessori for her dedication to children throughout her lifetime!

This International Women’s Day let’s take a moment to thank the women we see around us for their hard work and inspiring commitment to the wellbeing of children! Looking further, let’s all choose equality every day and work together to create the best future for all, regardless of gender.