Creative Therapies Course: The Creative Calming Collection
Supporting Children’s Wellbeing and Resilience

Creative Therapies Course: The Creative Calming Collection - Supporting Children’s Wellbeing and Resilience
Certificate:Creative Therapies in Early Childhood and OSHC — Level 1 Practitioner
(15 hours PD) (5 Module Titles listed)
Duration: 15 hours (5 x 3-hour modules)
Delivery: Online – self-paced with video, workbook, and reflection journal
Cost:
Individual
$99 per individual course / $399 full pack
Team
$299 per Team Course / $1299 full pack
All Educators receive a certificate
Tax Deductible
Courses sent to you Monday 20th October 2025
​About your Facilitator - Kelly Hallas
This Course Is For:
Early Childhood Educators, OSHC Professionals, and Wellbeing Coordinators
​Teams who want to:
  • Embed wellbeing, resilience, and belonging through creativity.
  • Strengthen inclusive practice and emotional understanding.
  • Learn therapeutic strategies to guide behaviour and connection.
  • Reflect on their own creativity and wellbeing as educators.

Course Overview:
​The Creative Calming Collection helps educators rediscover creativity as a form of therapy and emotional expression. Each experience — whether through art, music, dance, nature, or play — helps children regulate emotions, build resilience, and express identity.
Educators will gain confidence, creativity, and critical reflection tools to embed expressive, healing practices in early learning and OSHC settings.

Theorists:
The Creative Calm Collection is grounded in evidence-based theories from leaders in early childhood development, expressive arts therapy, and positive psychology. Educators will explore the work of Vygotsky, Erikson, Gardner, Rogers, and Malchiodi to deepen understanding of how creativity supports children’s emotional and social growth.
​
Module 1: Art as Therapy
​Overview:
Explore the emotional and developmental power of art. Learn how creative processes support emotional expression, confidence, and calm.
Mini-Modules:
  1. The Language of Colour: Understanding emotion through hues and tones
  2. Process Over Product: Letting go of perfection and embracing exploration
  3. Texture, Touch, and Emotion: Using clay, sand, and sensory mediums
  4. Art for Emotional Regulation: Activities to support calm and focus
  5. Reflective Practice and Documentation: Capturing meaning, not just masterpieces
Educators will learn to:
  • Facilitate process art for self-expression.
  • Identify symbolic messages in children’s artwork.
  • Create emotionally safe spaces for artistic exploration.
  • Document with meaning and reflection.
Links:
EYLF Outcomes 3, 4, 5 | MTOP Outcomes 1, 4, 5 | NQF QA 1, 5, 6
Theorists:
  • Vygotsky – socio-cultural theory and the zone of proximal development; creativity as cognitive and social learning.
  • Rogers (Person-Centred Therapy) – creativity as self-expression and emotional healing.
  • Malchiodi – Art therapy in early childhood.
Module 2: Music and Movement for Emotional Expression
Overview:
Discover how rhythm and movement can regulate emotions, enhance connection, and nurture confidence.
Mini-Modules:
  1. Rhythm and Regulation: How beats influence behaviour and calm
  2. Singing for Safety: Using predictable tunes to anchor routines
  3. Movement and Mindfulness: Stretching, swaying, and slow breathing
  4. Improvisation and Joy: Encouraging creativity through free dance and sound
  5. Cultural Rhythms: Exploring music across cultures for inclusivity
Educators will learn to:
  • Use rhythm for transitions and regulation.
  • Facilitate movement for confidence and coordination.
  • Integrate multicultural music experiences.
  • Reflect on music’s power to connect body, mind, and heart.
Links:
EYLF Outcomes 3, 4, 5 | MTOP Outcomes 2, 3, 5 | NQF QA 1, 5, 6
Theorists:
  • Dalcroze – Eurhythmics and movement-based learning.
  • Gardner – Multiple intelligences: musical intelligence for emotional literacy.
  • Deci & Ryan – Self-determination theory; autonomy in music and movement experiences.
Module 3: Nature as Nurture
Overview:
Reconnect with nature as a co-therapist. Discover how natural elements ground, calm, and inspire children’s creativity.
Mini-Modules:
  1. Eco-Psychology in Practice: The link between wellbeing and environment
  2. Mindful Moments Outdoors: Breathing, noticing, and being still
  3. Natural Art and Sculpture: Using sticks, leaves, and earth as materials
  4. Sensory Gardens and Outdoor Sanctuaries: Creating calm outdoor spaces
  5. Seasons, Change, and Resilience: Using nature to discuss emotions and growth
Educators will learn to:
  • Design sensory-rich, nurturing outdoor experiences.
  • Integrate nature-based mindfulness and reflection.
  • Encourage ecological empathy and care.
  • Link sustainability to emotional wellbeing.
Links:
EYLF Outcomes 2, 3, 4 | MTOP Outcomes 2, 3, 4 | NQF QA 1, 3, 5, 6
Theorists:
  • Bronfenbrenner – Ecological systems theory; environment shaping development.
  • Louise Chawla / Rachel and Stephen Kaplan – Attention Restoration Theory and environmental psychology.
  • Howard Gardner – Naturalistic intelligence.
Module 4: Play Therapy and Storytelling
Overview:
Understand how children communicate through play and stories — and how we can respond with empathy and insight.
Mini-Modules:
  1. The Therapeutic Power of Play: Safe spaces for emotional exploration
  2. Symbolism in Play: Recognising themes and meanings
  3. Storytelling for Healing: Books, puppetry, and oral storytelling
  4. Social Stories and Conflict Resolution: Supporting behaviour through narrative
  5. Reflective Story Documentation: Capturing play narratives with sensitivity
Educators will learn to:
  • Observe play through a therapeutic lens.
  • Use stories and puppets for emotional literacy.
  • Create safe play spaces for children processing change.
  • Reflect on and document play as emotional growth.
Links:
EYLF Outcomes 1, 3, 5 | MTOP Outcomes 1, 2, 4 | NQF QA 1, 5, 6
Theorists:
  • Axline (R. Play Therapy) – Principles of child-centred play therapy.
  • Erikson – Psychosocial stages; play as identity and social skill development.
  • Piaget – Cognitive development stages; symbolic play.
Module 5: Dance and Drama for Confidence and Connection
​Overview:
Explore drama and movement as tools for confidence, creativity, and collaboration.
Mini-Modules:
  1. Expressive Movement: Supporting body awareness and self-esteem
  2. Role Play and Identity: Exploring feelings safely through characters
  3. Group Performance and Belonging: Building teamwork through shared creativity
  4. Drama Games for Regulation and Joy: Using laughter and movement to calm
  5. Celebrating Diversity through Performance: Inclusion, confidence, and pride
Educators will learn to:
  • Use drama to strengthen children’s sense of self and belonging.
  • Integrate creative movement into daily routines.
  • Facilitate inclusive, expressive group experiences.
  • Reflect on how performance builds connection and voice.
Links:
EYLF Outcomes 1, 3, 4 | MTOP Outcomes 1, 3, 5 | NQF QA 1, 5, 6
Theorists:
  • Gardner – Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.
  • Vygotsky – Sociocultural learning through dramatic and collaborative play.
  • Rogers – Expressive arts and emotional growth.
Example Reflective Practice Prompts
  • How can I honour creativity as communication?
  • How do I respond to emotions expressed through creative mediums?
  • Which creative experiences bring calm and joy to my space?
  • How do I see my own creativity reflected in my practice?
Combine the Creative Calming Therapies Pack with our Belonging as a Blueprint Pack