References
Poverty, Housing Stress and Financial Hardship
ABC BTN. (2010). Fred’s van. ABC.
https://www.abc.net.au/btn/classroom/freds-van/10535534
ABC Read to Me. (2017). Last stop on Market Street: A read aloud [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk6CWvW_5-s
Affordable SA. (2026). Commonwealth Rent Assistance.
https://affordablesa.com.au/programs/home-purchase-and-rent/commonwealth-rent-assistance
Australian Council of Social Service, & UNSW Sydney. (2025). Poverty in Australia 2025: Overview.
https://povertyandinequality.acoss.org.au/poverty_in_australia_2025_overview/
Australian Government Department of Education. (2026). 3 Day Guarantee.
https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/providers/child-care-subsidy/3-day-guarantee
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2025a). Housing affordability. Australian Government.
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/housing-affordability
Center for Poverty & Inequality Research. (2016, February 1). How economic hardship gets inside the family [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2vKTsg3FHw
Li, Y., Singh, A., & Bentley, R. (2024). Housing Australian children: A snapshot of health inequities in the first 2000 days. Journal of Urban Health, 101(6), 1259–1269.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-024-00925-0
Logan, A. (2025, October 23). Guaranteed 3 days of subsidised care in 2026: No activity test! Big Fat Smile.
https://bigfatsmile.com.au/guaranteed-3-days-of-subsidised-care-in-2026-no-activity-test/
Maddi’s Fridge read by Jennifer Garner [Video]. (2021). YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To07TjBnrNY
Neppl, T. K., Senia, J. M., & Donnellan, M. B. (2016). Effects of economic hardship: Testing the family stress model over time. Journal of Family Psychology, 30(1), 12–21.
https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000168
Skattebol, J., Adamson, E., & Blaxland, M. (2023). Serving families who face economic and related adversities: The ‘5 As’ of effective ECEC service delivery. Frontiers in Education, 8, Article 1182615.
https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1182615
Storyline Online. (n.d.). Rent Party Jazz read by Viola Davis. Retrieved August 18, 2026, from
https://storylineonline.net/books/rent-party-jazz/
Storytime with Kendal, CCLS. (2026, February 16). Still a family [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13SlYMvvoxI
Storytime with Refined Teaching. (2026). A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams [Video]. YouTube.
https://youtu.be/0ecr3MZoODk
The Smith Family. (2019). I found this story truly inspiring, watch Jess & The Mighty Journey and help Aussie kids: #TalesOfThe1In6.
https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/media/stories/tales-of-the-one-in-six
The Treasury. (2026). Homes for Australia: A national plan. Australian Government.
https://treasury.gov.au/publication/p2026-773858
The Treasury. (2026). Homes for Australia: A national plan. Australian Government.
https://treasury.gov.au/publication/p2026-773858
Victorian Government. (2025a). Free Kinder.
https://www.vic.gov.au/free-kinder
Victorian Government. (2025b). Free Kinder.
https://www.vic.gov.au/free-kinder
Cultural and Diversity Context
First Nations, Immigrant and Refugee Families
ABC Kids Listen. (2025, March 23). Welcome to Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung.
https://www.abc.net.au/kidslisten/programs/little-yarns/welcome-to-wurundjeri-woi-wurrung/105078050
amandpmstorytime. (2025). Read aloud: My Two Blankets story for children [Video]. YouTube.
https://youtu.be/DdEG3s8s9Yw
AMES Australia. (2016). Education, employment and settlement services: Refugees and migrants.
https://www.ames.net.au/
AMES Australia. (2020). Settlement services: Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
https://www.ames.net.au/settle-in-australia
Australia for UNHCR. (2026, May 18). Seven children’s books about refugees.
https://www.unrefugees.org.au/our-stories/seven-childrens-books-about-refugees/
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2025). Australia’s population by country of birth, June 2024.
https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/australias-population-country-birth/latest-release
Australian Early Development Census. (2024). 2024 AEDC national report.
https://www.aedc.gov.au/resources/detail/2024-aedc-national-report
Australian Government. (2025). Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National).
https://www.tisnational.gov.au/
Australian Human Rights Commission. (2016). Building belonging: A toolkit for early childhood educators.
https://humanrights.gov.au/resource-hub/by-resource-type/education/resources-for-teachers/building-belonging-toolkit-early-childhood-educators
AWAHS Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service. (2020). Baby Business: Jasmine Seymour, read by Jocelyn Wright [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOjr8J1ENxk
Babbling Brook Storytime. (2026). The Suitcase by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros: A picture book story about welcoming strangers [Video]. YouTube.
https://youtu.be/M2we1wwpPxU
Behind the News. (2026). Refugees in Australia [Video]. YouTube.
https://youtu.be/Qjkux7xi80I
Building belonging: Early childhood educators toolkit. (2016). Google Drive.
https://share.google/Wfy37PfoipwRicjRc
Chia, J. (2020, March 30). Education for refugees. Refugee Council of Australia.
https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/education-info/2/
Closing the Gap. (2019). National Agreement on Closing the Gap. Australian Government.
https://www.closingthegap.gov.au/national-agreement
DC Library. (2018). I’m Australian Too by Mem Fox: Read aloud [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul91oNsILkc
Department of Home Affairs. (2019). Refugee and humanitarian program. Australian Government.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/refugee-and-humanitarian-program
Department of Home Affairs. (2024). Refugee and humanitarian program. Australian Government.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/refugee-and-humanitarian-program
Disney+. (2020). Mira, Royal Detective.
https://www.disneyplus.com/en-au/browse/entity-0f6203d9-a69c-40ca-a945-94b5e5b3918d
Indigenous.gov.au. (2023). Commonwealth Closing the Gap 2023 Annual Report and 2024 Implementation Plan.
https://www.indigenous.gov.au/news/commonwealth-closing-gap-2023-annual-report-and-2024-implementation-plan
Monash Australia. (2026, June 5). Ali and the long journey to Australia. Monash University Library.
https://www.monash.edu/library/libraries/exhibitions/digital-displays/2023/ali-and-the-long-journey-to-australia
Multilingual Australia. (2026). Home.
https://www.multilingualaustralia.org.au/
Nakata, M. (2007). The cultural interface. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 36(1), 7–14.
https://ajie.atsis.uq.edu.au/ajie/article/view/464/404
Narragunnawali Reconciliation in Education. (2026). Home page.
https://www.narragunnawali.org.au/
Queensland Department of Education. (2016, November 14). Planning and reflecting in education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBsCYvedWDs
Queensland Department of Education. (2026). Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives by building relationships [Video]. YouTube.
https://youtu.be/e9WCH67BHxg
Racism. No Way! (2018, July 18). Anti-racism education for Australian schools.
https://racismnoway.com.au/
Smith, L. T. (2012). Decolonizing methodologies: Research and Indigenous peoples (2nd ed.). Zed Books.
SNAICC. (2023, August 16). Early childhood development.
https://www.snaicc.org.au/our-work/early-childhood-development/
Sony Pictures Animation. (2026). Hair Love.
https://www.sonypicturesanimation.com/projects/shorts/hair-love
Stark, H., Smeaton, P., Kennedy, P., Lammonde, C., Stewart, J., Williams, S., Carius, K., Bennett-Payne, B., & Duncan, T. (2025). Learning together: A participatory evaluation of the Learning Language and Loving It™ program in an Aboriginal community-led kindergarten. Early Childhood Education Journal, 54.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-025-01973-0
The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture. (2024, March 15). Early years: School’s In for Refugees.
https://sifr.foundationhouse.org.au/early-years/
Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency. (2026). Home.
https://www.vacca.org/
Victorian Government. (2026a). Supporting all Victorian children to participate in kindergarten programs.
https://www.vic.gov.au/kindergarten-sector-guide/supporting-all-victorian-children-participate-kindergarten-programs
Crisis and Emergency Contexts
Climate Change, Natural Disasters, Family Violence and Displacement
1800RESPECT. (2016, February 15). 1800RESPECT violence against women and children: What the data can tell us [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID2psXcxjis
1800RESPECT. (2024). Children and young people.
https://1800respect.org.au/violence-and-abuse/children-and-young-people
ABC Kids. (2026). Video and audio: Helping Hands flood.
https://www.abc.net.au/abckids/early-education/helping-hands-flood-video-and-audio/103109868
ARACY. (2026, July 21). Building climate-resilient early childhood education across Australia [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRrIez6KFh0
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2023, November 22). Partner violence, 2021–22 financial year.
https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/crime-and-justice/partner-violence/latest-release
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2026a, April 23). Family, domestic and sexual violence summary. Australian Government.
https://www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/resources/fdsv-summary
Australian Red Cross. (2022). Emergencies and disasters.
https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/
Bureau of Meteorology. (2024). State of the Climate 2024: Report at a glance. Australian Government.
https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/past-weather-and-climate/state-of-the-climate-2024/report-at-a-glance
Children’s Health Queensland. (2023a). Birdie’s Tree. Queensland Government.
https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/our-work/birdies-tree-natural-disaster-recovery
Children’s Health Queensland. (2023b). Birdie’s Tree natural disaster resilience resources. Queensland Government.
https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/our-work/birdies-tree-natural-disaster-recovery/birdies-tree-natural-disaster-resilience-resources
Children’s Health Queensland. (2025, May). Birdie and the fire. Queensland Government.
https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/our-work/birdies-tree-natural-disaster-recovery/birdies-tree-storybooks/birdie-and-the-fire
Country Fire Authority. (n.d.). Be Firewise video series: Children’s education [Video playlist]. YouTube. Retrieved August 16, 2026, from
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6EHXr54f5MoBfmOe0cYagHhPRNDjzzNL
Department of Social Services. (2026, February 27). The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032. Australian Government.
https://www.dss.gov.au/national-plan-end-violence-against-women-and-children
Encounters Film Festival. (2016). Footsteps on the Wind.
https://www.encounters.film/footsteps-on-the-wind
Footsteps on the Wind. (2020). FilmFreeway.
https://filmfreeway.com/FootstepsontheWind
Legal Aid NSW. (2023). Raindrops and dreams. NSW Government.
https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/ways-to-get-help/publications-and-resources/raindrops-and-dreams
Masten, A. S. (2021). Resilience of children in disasters: A multisystem perspective. International Journal of Psychology, 56(1), 1–11.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12737
National Emergency Management Agency. (2025, May 21). Community protection for infants and young children in bushfire emergencies. Australian Government.
https://www.nema.gov.au/about-us/media-centre/community-protection-infants-and-young-children-bushfire-emergencies
National Emergency Management Agency. (2026, July 23). Disaster Ready Fund. Australian Government.
https://www.nema.gov.au/our-work/key-programs/disaster-ready-fund
Reading Australia. (2015, June 11). Flood.
https://readingaustralia.com.au/books/flood/
Safe Steps. (2024). Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre.
https://safesteps.org.au/
Sesame Workshop. (2018, December 12). Home is…
https://sesameworkshop.org/resources/home-is-parent/
Silverpod Productions. (2016, December 14). I Wish: A child’s perspective of family violence [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYMg1V1BLqw
The Alliance. (2026, March 3). HNPW 2026: Climate crisis fuels rising violence against children: Evidence across CP research [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq6VGhsAIFM
The Orange Door. (2024). Support for families. Victorian Government.
https://www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au/support-families
VECRA. (2026, June). Emergency management in early childhood services. Victorian Government.
https://www.vecra.vic.gov.au/emergency-management-early-childhood-services
VICSES. (2026). SES for Schools. Victoria State Emergency Service.
https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/ses-for-schools
Victorian Government. (2026, March 26). About the information sharing and MARAM reforms.
https://www.vic.gov.au/about-information-sharing-schemes-and-risk-management-framework
Social Contexts
Social and Geographical Isolation, Divorce and Out-of-Home Care
Attorney-General’s Department. (2025, December 2). Children and family law. Australian Government.
https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/children-and-family-law
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2026). Marriages and divorces, Australia, 2023.
https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/marriages-and-divorces-australia/latest-release
Baffour, B., Das, S., Li, M., & Richardson, A. (2024). The utility of socioeconomic and remoteness indicators in understanding the geographical variation in the regional prevalence of early childhood vulnerability in Australia. Child Indicators Research, 17.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-024-10143-4
Bergström, M., Salari, R., Hjern, A., Hognäs, R., Bergqvist, K., & Fransson, E. (2021). Importance of living arrangements and coparenting quality for young children’s mental health after parental divorce: A cross-sectional parental survey. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 5(1), e000657.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000657
CityNews. (2021, January 28). Impact of social isolation on children ‘devastating’: Parent [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJhS35wGNqA
CREATE Foundation. (2026). CREATE.
https://www.create.org.au/
Department of Social Services. (2024). An outline of National Standards for out-of-home care (2011). Australian Government.
https://www.dss.gov.au/outline-national-standards-out-home-care-2011/national-standards-out-home-care
Eileen. (2024, August 14). Ep. 69: Phoebe, age 6: Friends get together without her [Audio podcast episode]. Dr. Friendtastic.
https://drfriendtastic.com/podcast/ep-69-phoebe-age-6-friends-get-together-without-her/
Emerging Minds. (2023, June 28). Supporting children’s mental health during parental separation.
https://emergingminds.com.au/training/online-training/supporting-childrens-mental-health-when-working-with-separating-parents/
Emerging Minds. (2026). Supporting children when working with separating parents: Part one [Podcast]. YouTube.
https://youtu.be/SSX_pxFsM6k
Haringey Youth Space. (2026). Emily’s story: A guide to foster care [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gwXl8tEMDQ
Maguire, D., May, K., McCormack, D., & Fosker, T. (2024). A systematic review of the impact of placement instability on emotional and behavioural outcomes among children in foster care. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 17(2), 641–655.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-023-00606-1
Marriage Helper. (2026). The hidden cost of divorce on children [Video]. YouTube.
https://youtu.be/8DydaRWsblE
MyTime. (2016, February 19). Supporting parents and carers of children with disability.
https://www.mytime.net.au/
Nolan, A., & Raban, B. (2015). Theories into practice: Understanding and rethinking our work with young children and the EYLF. Teaching Solutions.
Nowland, R., Thomson, G., McNally, L., Smith, T., & Whittaker, K. (2021). Experiencing loneliness in parenthood: A scoping review. Perspectives in Public Health, 141(4), 214–225.
https://doi.org/10.1177/17579139211018243
Oteri, M. (2026, February 15). What is the Family Law Act 1975 and how does it affect binding financial agreements? My Law Firm.
https://mylawfirm.com.au/what-is-the-family-law-act-1975/
Playgroup Victoria. (2019, April 16). Supported playgroups.
https://www.playgroup.org.au/for-professionals/playgroup-development/supported-playgroups/
Relationships Australia Victoria. (2024). Family dispute resolution for parenting matters.
https://www.relationshipsvictoria.org.au/family-dispute-resolution/parenting/
Royal Far West. (2023). Our services.
https://www.royalfarwest.org.au/our-services/
Skwigly. (2025, August 4). Together Apart by Claire Seckler: Skwigly Animation Showcase. Skwigly Animation Magazine.
https://www.skwigly.co.uk/showcase/together-apart/
Social Emotional Learning Read Alouds. (2024, August 12). Living with Mom & Living with Dad: Read aloud [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmYnRgi7_EA
The Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association. (2024). Useful links and resources for early childhood education and care families.
https://icpa.com.au/au/useful-links-and-resources-early-childhood-education-and-care-families
Thiele, N. (2012). School of the Air. Behind the News.
https://www.abc.net.au/btn/classroom/school-of-the-air/10531692
Victorian Government. (2026b, March 26). The early childhood agreement for children in out-of-home care.
https://www.vic.gov.au/early-childhood-agreement-children-out-home-care
WashU Brown School. (2024, November 14). Transforming systems: How early childhood education can support child welfare and well-being [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VK9L_dM3j0
Health and Wellbeing Contexts
Parental Mental Illness, Substance Use, Trauma, Grief and Abuse
AIFS Resources for the Child and Family Sector. (2019, November 5). Emerging Minds webinar: Working with parents affected by alcohol and other drug use [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EItWR4F_HA8
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2024, June 5). National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020–2022.
https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release
Australian Childhood Foundation. (2025, May 21). Australian Childhood Foundation.
https://www.childhood.org.au/
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2025b, May 27). National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023. Australian Government.
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey-2022-2023/contents/summary
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2026b, July 21). Child Protection Australia 2024–25. Australian Government.
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/child-protection/child-protection-australia-2024-25/contents/insights/supporting-children
Barnardos Ireland. (2026, May 13). Parental mental health: Impact on children [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOOwNG5CzGE
Beyond Blue. (2025). Be You.
https://beyou.edu.au/
Bravehearts. (n.d.). Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Program. Retrieved August 16, 2026, from
https://bravehearts.org.au/education/dittos-keep-safe-adventure-program/
Cassie. (2025). Twinkle, Twinkle Arti: Shining a light on the experiences of children whose parents use drugs and alcohol. NACOA.
https://nacoa.org.uk/twinkle-twinkle-arti-shining-a-light-on-the-experiences-of-children-whose-parents-use-drugs-and-alcohol/
Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare. (2026, June 4). Foundations of trauma-informed practice in the early years: Early Start, Bright Future [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA9vuEAZDqM
Department of Health Victoria. (2023). Maternal and Child Health Service. Victorian Government.
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/primary-and-community-health/maternal-and-child-health-service
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. (2025). National Drug Strategy 2017–2026. Australian Government.
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-drug-strategy-2017-2026?language=en
Department of Social Services. (2021). The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021–2031. Australian Government.
https://www.dss.gov.au/child-protection/resource/national-framework-protecting-australias-children-2021-2031
Emerging Minds. (2022, October 26). Supporting children of parents living with mental illness.
https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/supporting-children-of-parents-living-with-mental-illness/
eSafeKids. (2021, June 6). ABC of body safety and consent: Book reading [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGicCpucU90
Family Drug Support. (2022). Stepping Forward.
https://www.fds.org.au/meetings-events/courses-workshops/stepping-forward
Goffman, E. (1963). Stigma: Notes on the management of spoiled identity. Penguin.
Grief Australia. (2022). A guiding voice through the universal human experience of grief.
https://www.grief.org.au/
Harries, C. I., Smith, D. M., Gregg, L., & Wittkowski, A. (2023). Parenting and serious mental illness (SMI): A systematic review and metasynthesis. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 26(2), 303–342.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-023-00427-6
Higgins, D., Mathews, B. P., Norman, R. E., Scott, J., Finkelhor, D., Meinck, F., Erskine, H. E., Thomas, H. J., Lawrence, D. M., Haslam, D., Malacova, E., & Dunne, M. P. (2023). The prevalence and nature of multi-type child maltreatment in Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 218(S6), S13–S18.
https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.51868
Ippen, C. (2021, March 16). Once I was very very scared. Piplo Productions.
https://piploproductions.com/stories/once/
Kuppens, S., Moore, S. C., Gross, V., Lowthian, E., & Siddaway, A. P. (2020). The enduring effects of parental alcohol, tobacco, and drug use on child well-being: A multilevel meta-analysis. Development and Psychopathology, 32(2), 765–778.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579419000749
National Centre for Childhood Grief. (2018, December 17). National Centre for Childhood Grief.
https://childhoodgrief.org.au/
NSPCC. (2025). Talk PANTS.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/advice-for-families/pants-underwear-rule/
PBS Kids. (2026). All about our feelings video collection.
https://pbskids.org/videos/playlist/pbs-kids-mental-health-moments/1587804
Queensland Government. (2026). New child safety legislation in 2026. Early Childhood Education and Care.
https://earlychildhood.qld.gov.au/sector-news-and-resources/news-for-educators-and-service-providers/new-child-safety-legislation-2026
Reading Rainbow (Official). (2024, March 20). Badger’s Parting Gifts story [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMSXaKH7LBQ
SHARC. (n.d.). Family Drug & Gambling Help. Retrieved August 16, 2026, from
https://www.sharc.org.au/sharc-programs/family-drug-gambling-help/
Strudwick, S. (2025). Leaflets for children with a parent in a mental health ward, including Sally Bear’s Daddy Is in Hospital, Sammy Bear’s Mummy Is in Hospital, and leaflets for older children. South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
https://slam.nhs.uk/myparent
Sun, Y., Blewitt, C., Minson, V., Bajayo, R., Cameron, L., & Skouteris, H. (2024). Trauma-informed interventions in early childhood education and care settings: A scoping review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 25(1), 648–662.
https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380231162967