EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR FRIENDS
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    • “Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework”
    • “Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework”
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Absolutely, lovely! Let's include the Cocktail Connection Evening as a warm and welcoming start to the 2-Day Family Course. This gentle gathering allows families to connect, relax, and begin the journey into emotional wellbeing with heart, presence, and intention. Here's how it could look:

🥂 Evening 0: Cocktail Connection – "Hearts, Hugs & Hello"Date: The evening before Day 1
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Venue garden or hall (with soft lighting, music & seating zones)

🌷 Purpose:To create a calm, welcoming space where families can:
  • Meet facilitators and other families
  • Begin reflecting on emotional wellbeing
  • Feel safe, valued, and part of a supportive learning community

🕯️ Suggested Flow of the Evening:TimeActivity5:30 PMWelcome Arrival
  • Soft music, herbal mocktails or sparkling juice
  • Name tags, warm greeters, family photo area
  • Each family receives a "Welcome Card" with a gentle affirmation (e.g. “You are enough. You are growing too.”) |
    | 6:00 PM | Opening Words from the Facilitator
  • Short speech on the power of connection
  • Invite families to breathe, reflect, and be open to the journey ahead
  • Introduce the Gratitude Tree – families write one hope or strength they bring |
    | 6:15 PM | Connection Activity: “Who Am I in My Family?”
  • Light-hearted get-to-know-you activity (e.g. “What’s a silly thing we do together?” or “One way my child makes me smile”)
  • Tables or stations with reflection cards and playful prompts |
    | 6:45 PM | Relax & Connect Time
  • Families mingle with facilitators and each other
  • Browse the Wellbeing Table: calm-down jars, emotion cards, parenting books, sensory items |
    | 7:15 PM | Closing Moment
  • Group circle or gentle collective reflection (e.g. “What does love look like in your home?”)
  • Soft thank-you and reminder of the next day’s start time |

✨ Optional Additions:
  • Affirmation Bookmark Making Station
  • DIY Family Gratitude Jar Kit Table
  • Comfort Nook with pillows and books for children who attend

🌟 Why it Matters:The Cocktail Connection helps families:
  • Feel emotionally settled before diving into deeper topics
  • Build trust and familiarity with the facilitators
  • Begin the course with shared intention and openness
  • Enjoy a gentle, celebratory tone—because learning about emotions can be joyful too 💕

Let me know if you’d like:
  • Printable invitation or flyer
  • Welcome card templates
  • Icebreaker question cards or table signage
Excited to help you bring this soulful start to life! xoxo

​Absolutely, lovely! Here's a warm, welcoming 2-day course for families focused on supporting children’s social and emotional development, building resilience, and nurturing wellbeing at home. This course is practical, hands-on, and filled with heart—perfect for caregivers, parents, grandparents, and guardians who want to understand and support the emotional needs of their little ones.

💕 2-Day Family Course: "Big Feelings, Safe Hearts – Supporting Children’s Emotions at Home"Course Goals:
  • Build parents' confidence in supporting children’s emotions
  • Strengthen family relationships through play, routines, and empathy
  • Introduce emotional literacy, resilience, and co-regulation techniques
  • Equip families with tools for daily wellbeing and connection

🌿 Day 1: Understanding Big Feelings & Everyday ConnectionTheme: “See Me, Hear Me – Understanding Emotions in Early Childhood”
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (with morning tea and lunch break)
TimeSession9:00 AMWarm Welcome & Grounding Activity
  • Name tags, affirmation wall (“What do you hope to gain?”)
  • Mindful moment + introduction to the day |
    | 9:30 AM | Session 1: Understanding Emotions
  • Why children experience big feelings
  • Brain development & the stress response
  • Introduction to emotional literacy: Naming feelings |
    | 10:30 AM | Morning Tea + Chat Space |
    | 11:00 AM | Session 2: Co-Regulation & Connection
  • The Circle of Security: What children need emotionally
  • Safe hands: how to be your child’s calm anchor
  • Co-regulation in action: breathing, touch, tone |
    | 12:00 PM | Mini Activity: Blob Tree or Feeling Wheel Creation
  • Families create tools to take home for daily check-ins |
    | 12:30 PM | Lunch (with optional calm craft station) |
    | 1:15 PM | Session 3: Play Is Their Language
  • Power of play for emotional growth
  • Types of play (role play, sensory, art) and what they express
  • Home play ideas that support emotions |
    | 2:00 PM | Take-Home Tools
  • DIY emotion cards, calm-down corner kits
  • Routine charts & five-minute warning visuals |
    | 2:30 PM | Reflective Circle
  • What did I learn today?
  • “One small change I’ll make this week…” |
    | 3:00 PM | Goodbye + Family Journaling Prompt:
    “What’s one way we show love in our home?” 💗 |

☀️ Day 2: Building Resilience & Creating Calm at HomeTheme: “Strong Feelings, Strong Hearts – Raising Resilient Children”
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
TimeSession9:00 AMWelcome & Movement Circle
  • Light stretching, music, and gratitude moment |
    | 9:30 AM | Session 1: What is Resilience?
  • Debunking myths: resilience ≠ toughness
  • Everyday resilience-building moments
  • Encouraging problem-solving and independence |
    | 10:30 AM | Morning Tea |
    | 11:00 AM | Session 2: Positive Psychology at Home (PERMA)
  • P = Positive emotion – Daily joy rituals
  • E = Engagement – Flow through play
  • R = Relationships – Bonding practices
  • M = Meaning – Family values & traditions
  • A = Accomplishment – Encouraging “I did it!” moments |
    | 12:00 PM | Mini Workshop: Art & Emotion
  • Drawing, painting, or sculpting feelings
  • Guided reflection for children & families |
    | 12:30 PM | Lunch |
    | 1:15 PM | Session 3: Creating a Calm, Connected Home
  • Rhythm and routine
  • Calming corner ideas
  • Screen-time, overstimulation, and boundaries |
    | 2:00 PM | Take-Home Toolkit
  • Emotion thermometers
  • Calm-down strategies
  • Family affirmation templates
  • Resilience tips for daily life |
    | 2:30 PM | Final Circle & Gratitude Tree
  • What have we noticed in ourselves and our children?
  • “One practice I will keep in our home…” |
    | 3:00 PM | Farewell + Certificates + Family Photo Corner 🌈📸 |

🧺 Included in the Course Materials:
  • Printable emotion cards
  • DIY Blob Tree & feeling wheel
  • Resilience tip sheet
  • Circle of Security overview
  • Family connection activity pack
  • Certificate of participation
  • Optional: Canva templates for home visuals

Would you like this turned into:
  • A printable handbook for families?
  • A Canva-friendly PowerPoint for presenters?
  • Companion worksheets, sign-in sheets, or certificates?
Let’s make this a loving, affirming experience for families. 💖 Let me know how you’d like to present or deliver it! xoxo

Travel Lovers xo

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  • Home
  • Support Groups
    • Guiding Children’s Behaviour in Early Childhood
    • Educational Leader
    • Critical Reflection
    • Supporting Children's Additional Needs
    • Supporting Educator's Wellbeing
    • Nature Play and Children's Wellbeing
  • Online Courses
    • Guiding Children's Behaviour
    • The ECE Foundations Series
    • 8 x 10-minute courses
    • 10 x 10-minute courses
    • Children's Learning Experiences
    • Being an Area Manager
    • 1200 Phonic Digital Cards
  • Assessment and Rating Preparation
    • National Quality Framework - Overview
    • Assessment and Rating Checklist
    • 5-day in service visit
    • 2-Day Assessment and Rating and Exceeding Conference
    • 2-Day Assessment and Rating Mock Review
    • Zoom/In-person Support
    • VIP Membership
    • Meeting and Exceeding the National Quality Framework - 1 day Course
  • Menus
  • VIP Membership - OOSH/OSHC
  • Our Conferences
    • Australian Conferences xo In-Person >
      • October Conference xo >
        • The Whole Child: Enhancing Development through Play and Wellbeing - Sydney
        • The Whole Child: Enhancing Development through Play and Wellbeing - Melbourne
        • The Whole Child: Enhancing Development through Play and Wellbeing - Brisbane
  • Early Childhood Educator Events xo
  • Early Childhood Excellence
    • Early Childhood Educators >
      • Igniting Passionate Educators >
        • Igniting Passionate Educators!
        • ​Ignite, Inspire, Reflect, Connect: A Day of Learning for Passionate ECE Professionals
    • Leading with Impact - Courses >
      • ​Leading with Impact - 2-Day In-person Conference Melbourne
      • Leading with Impact: A Professional Development Course for Centre Managers - 2-Day Course
      • Leading with Impact: A Professional Development Course for Centre Managers - 12-week Sessions
    • Educational Leadership >
      • Nurturing Educational Leadership: Linking Program, Practice, and Quality in Early Childhood Education
  • Early Childhood Retreats xo
    • Nature and Wellbeing >
      • Gold Coast Hinterland
      • Yarra Valley, VIC xo
      • Blue Mountains ,
    • Sunshine Coast - Wine, Wellness, and Relaxation Retreat
    • Bali >
      • Bali Leadership Retreat
      • Bali Educator Fun in the Sun
      • Bali Educational Retreat
    • Tassie Treats - Growing Minds Retreat: Nurturing Educators
    • Queenstown - Igniting Passionate Educators
    • Mexico - Early Childhood Educators’ Retreat: Nurture, Lead and Ignite
    • Phuket, Thailand - Igniting Passionate Early Childhood Educators
    • Airlie Beach - Wine, Wellness, and Winter Warmer Weekend
    • Vietnam - Play, Creativity, and Children's Development Retreat
    • Thailand - Igniting Passionate Educators
    • Denver and New York City
    • Whistler, Canada
    • Italy - Rome, and Tuscany Theorists, and Play
    • Spain
    • Thailand - ​Leadership and Management
    • Fiji xo - Play, Pause, & Reflect: An Educator’s Retreat
  • Contact
  • Terms and conditions
  • Family Support
    • Supporting Your Child with Guidance, Routine, and Structure
    • Development and Learning Course for Families with Children in Early Childhood
  • Health and Wellness
    • Wellness Courses xo >
      • Wednesday Wine & Wellness xo
      • Winter Wellbeing for Early Childhood Educators
      • Mindful Moments: A 2-Hour Journey to Wellbeing
      • Holistic Nature and Wellbeing Course
      • Eradicating Loneliness xo
  • 12 Months of Early Childhood Educator Meetings
  • 12-months of Early Childhood Digital Magazine
  • THRIVE in Nature™
    • THRIVE in Nature™
    • THRIVE in Nature™ - 2 hour course
  • The S.P.A.R.K.L.E. Method™
    • Australia >
      • The S.P.A.R.K.L.E. Method™ - 1-Day Course
      • The S.P.A.R.K.L.E. Method™ - 2 Hour Course
  • “Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework”
    • “Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework”
    • “Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework”
    • New Page