Foundations of Child Psychology in Early Childhood
Foundations of Child Psychology in Early Learning
(Understanding How Children Think, Feel, Learn & Develop)
Sessions:
Wednesday 19th August 2026
6:00pm - 8:00pm - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania
6:00pm - 8:00pm - Western Australia
Thursday 20th August 2026
6:30pm - 8:30pm - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania
6:00pm - 8:00pm - South Australia, Northern Territory
INDIVIDUAL - $129
TEAM - $599
Team is for an Individual Early Learning Team
Overview
This foundational course introduces educators to the core principles of child psychology and how they directly apply to everyday practice in early childhood education. It explores how children develop emotionally, socially, and cognitively, and how their experiences, relationships, and environments shape the way they think, feel, behave, and learn.
Educators will be supported to move beyond surface-level interpretations of behaviour and begin to understand the deeper psychological processes driving children’s actions and responses. This course builds a strong foundation for intentional, responsive, and developmentally informed practice, helping educators feel more confident, calm, and insightful in their daily interactions with children.
What Educators Will Learn
MODULES
Module 1: Introduction to Child Psychology in Early Learning
Module 2: How Children Think and Learn (Cognitive Development)
Module 3: Emotional & Social Development in Early Childhood
Module 4: Behaviour, Environment & Psychological Understanding
(Understanding How Children Think, Feel, Learn & Develop)
Sessions:
Wednesday 19th August 2026
6:00pm - 8:00pm - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania
6:00pm - 8:00pm - Western Australia
Thursday 20th August 2026
6:30pm - 8:30pm - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania
6:00pm - 8:00pm - South Australia, Northern Territory
INDIVIDUAL - $129
TEAM - $599
Team is for an Individual Early Learning Team
Overview
This foundational course introduces educators to the core principles of child psychology and how they directly apply to everyday practice in early childhood education. It explores how children develop emotionally, socially, and cognitively, and how their experiences, relationships, and environments shape the way they think, feel, behave, and learn.
Educators will be supported to move beyond surface-level interpretations of behaviour and begin to understand the deeper psychological processes driving children’s actions and responses. This course builds a strong foundation for intentional, responsive, and developmentally informed practice, helping educators feel more confident, calm, and insightful in their daily interactions with children.
What Educators Will Learn
- Core principles of child psychology and early development
- How children think, learn, and make sense of the world
- The link between brain development, behaviour, and emotional regulation
- How relationships and environment shape psychological development
- Understanding behaviour as communication of internal processes
- Key developmental influences: emotional, social, and cognitive domains
- How psychology informs intentional teaching and educator responses
- Building a psychologically informed approach to everyday practice
MODULES
Module 1: Introduction to Child Psychology in Early Learning
- What child psychology is and why it matters in early childhood education
- The developing child as a whole: thinking, feeling, and relating
- How early experiences shape lifelong patterns of learning and behaviour
- The role of educators in supporting psychological development
- Moving from “managing behaviour” to understanding development
Module 2: How Children Think and Learn (Cognitive Development)
- How thinking, memory, attention, and problem-solving develop
- Introduction to key ideas from Piaget and cognitive development theory
- How children construct meaning through play and experience
- The role of curiosity, repetition, and exploration in learning
- Supporting thinking skills through intentional teaching and language
Module 3: Emotional & Social Development in Early Childhood
- How children develop emotional awareness and regulation
- The role of attachment and relationships in emotional development
- Social learning: how children learn behaviour from others (Bandura)
- Peer relationships, belonging, and early social skills
- Supporting emotional expression and co-regulation in practice
Module 4: Behaviour, Environment & Psychological Understanding
- Reframing behaviour through a psychological lens
- How environment, stress, and unmet needs influence behaviour
- The importance of safety, predictability, and connection
- Responding to behaviour with insight rather than reaction
- Creating psychologically supportive learning environments
