Guiding Children’s Behaviour in Early Childhood
Guiding Children’s Behaviour in Early Childhood
Support Group - Monday 28th July 2025
6:00pm - 8:00pm AEST (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania)
6:30pm - 8:30pm South Australia, Northern Territory
6:00pm - 8:00pm Western Australia
Individual - $119 - Team - $499
Tax Deductible, Certificate received for Professional Development
Overview -
Guiding children’s behaviour in early childhood is about building connection, understanding, and supporting emotional development. Children communicate through their actions, and it’s our role to respond with empathy, consistency, and insight. Influences like routines, environment, family life, and technology all play a part. By fostering self-regulation, resilience, and positive relationships, we help children thrive. Working in partnership with families, using thoughtful strategies, and reflecting on our own practices strengthens outcomes. With a trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate approach, educators create safe, respectful spaces where every child feels seen, supported, and capable of learning how to navigate their world.
Guiding children's behaviour is a cornerstone of high-quality early childhood education. It involves understanding children’s developmental stages, emotional needs, environmental influences, and the social context they grow up in. This approach supports, shows connection, and skill-building — helping children develop self-regulation, resilience, and positive relationships with others.
What Early Childhood Educators Will Learn:
Guiding children’s behaviour in early childhood is about connection, understanding, and support. This module explores how children communicate through their actions and how educators can respond with empathy, insight, and consistency. Grounded in a trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate approach, the module unpacks key influences on behaviour—such as routines, environment, technology, and family life.
Educators will learn how to foster self-regulation, resilience, and positive relationships, while also working in partnership with families. With a strong focus on reflective practice, the module equips educators to investigate behaviour thoughtfully, respond supportively, and create safe, respectful learning environments where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.
Support Group - Monday 28th July 2025
6:00pm - 8:00pm AEST (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania)
6:30pm - 8:30pm South Australia, Northern Territory
6:00pm - 8:00pm Western Australia
Individual - $119 - Team - $499
Tax Deductible, Certificate received for Professional Development
Overview -
Guiding children’s behaviour in early childhood is about building connection, understanding, and supporting emotional development. Children communicate through their actions, and it’s our role to respond with empathy, consistency, and insight. Influences like routines, environment, family life, and technology all play a part. By fostering self-regulation, resilience, and positive relationships, we help children thrive. Working in partnership with families, using thoughtful strategies, and reflecting on our own practices strengthens outcomes. With a trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate approach, educators create safe, respectful spaces where every child feels seen, supported, and capable of learning how to navigate their world.
Guiding children's behaviour is a cornerstone of high-quality early childhood education. It involves understanding children’s developmental stages, emotional needs, environmental influences, and the social context they grow up in. This approach supports, shows connection, and skill-building — helping children develop self-regulation, resilience, and positive relationships with others.
What Early Childhood Educators Will Learn:
Guiding children’s behaviour in early childhood is about connection, understanding, and support. This module explores how children communicate through their actions and how educators can respond with empathy, insight, and consistency. Grounded in a trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate approach, the module unpacks key influences on behaviour—such as routines, environment, technology, and family life.
Educators will learn how to foster self-regulation, resilience, and positive relationships, while also working in partnership with families. With a strong focus on reflective practice, the module equips educators to investigate behaviour thoughtfully, respond supportively, and create safe, respectful learning environments where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.
Topics:
Introduction to Guiding Children’s Behaviour
Attention Span & Technology in Early Childhood
5 Ways Early Childhood Educators Can Use Technology to Support Attention Span
The Importance of Self-Regulation and Resilience
Supporting our Families to Guide Children’s Behaviour
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Active Supervision
Our Classrooms
Sensory Factors
Supporting Families to Guide Children’s Behaviour
Home Factors
Drop-offs and Morning Routines
New Children
Discussions with families – Orientation and continuous Routines
Transitions in the Environment
Changes in Environment
-Weather
- Changes in Routine
- Changes at home
Investigating Different Behaviour
- Biting
- Hitting, Throwing, and Kicking
- Swearing
- Spitting
- Throwing themselves on the ground
- Escaping/Absconding
Guiding Children’s Behaviour Policies, Behaviour Plans, and ACECQA (Regulator)
Mealtimes/Sleep Times/Toileting
Working with Children with Additional Needs
Layout and Room Limits
Educator Influence and Critical Reflection
Zones of Regulation in Children
Positive Reinforcement and Social Psychology
Attachment Theory
Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development Theory
Nature to support Behaviour
Experiences to Implement to Support Children's Behaviour
10 Critical Reflection Questions for Early Childhood Educators to Implement to Support the Guiding of Children's Behaviour
Questions
Overview of Topics
Understanding Behaviour
Children’s behaviour is a form of communication. It is influenced by their brain development, temperament, experiences, and environment — both at home and in care settings. When we investigate behaviour, we must consider:
Attention Span & Technology
Technology plays a growing role in early childhood. While it can pose challenges to attention span and regulation, when used intentionally, it can support engagement and learning. Educators can use tech wisely to promote focus and meaningful learning experiences.
Self-Regulation & Resilience
Helping children develop the skills to manage big emotions, recover from setbacks, and navigate social situations is essential. Approaches like the Zones of Regulation offer frameworks to teach self-awareness and coping strategies.
Working with Families
Families are partners in guiding behaviour. From orientation to daily discussions and shared behaviour plans, consistent communication strengthens outcomes for children. Supporting routines at drop-off, transitions at home, and understanding each family's context is vital.
The Educator’s Role
Educators play a powerful role in:
Responsive Environments
Classroom layout, daily routines, and environmental changes (e.g., weather, noise, or staffing) affect children’s behaviour. Thoughtful planning and flexibility can ease transitions and prevent challenging behaviours.
Understanding Specific Behaviours
Behaviours like biting, hitting, swearing, spitting, or absconding require calm, investigative responses. Understanding the why behind these behaviours allows us to guide children safely and supportively.
Policies & Practice
Behaviour guidance should align with:
Nature & Experiences
Time in nature and meaningful, sensory-rich experiences promote emotional regulation and reduce behavioural stress. Providing open-ended, engaging experiences helps children express themselves positively.
Reflecting as Educators
Ongoing critical reflection supports improvement. Asking questions about our practices, biases, and responses ensures we continually grow in how we support children.
Final Thoughts - Guiding behaviour is about connection. When we understand children holistically and support them with patience, empathy, and consistency, we create a foundation for lifelong wellbeing, learning, and relationships.
Introduction to Guiding Children’s Behaviour
Attention Span & Technology in Early Childhood
5 Ways Early Childhood Educators Can Use Technology to Support Attention Span
The Importance of Self-Regulation and Resilience
Supporting our Families to Guide Children’s Behaviour
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Active Supervision
Our Classrooms
Sensory Factors
Supporting Families to Guide Children’s Behaviour
Home Factors
Drop-offs and Morning Routines
New Children
Discussions with families – Orientation and continuous Routines
Transitions in the Environment
Changes in Environment
-Weather
- Changes in Routine
- Changes at home
Investigating Different Behaviour
- Biting
- Hitting, Throwing, and Kicking
- Swearing
- Spitting
- Throwing themselves on the ground
- Escaping/Absconding
Guiding Children’s Behaviour Policies, Behaviour Plans, and ACECQA (Regulator)
Mealtimes/Sleep Times/Toileting
Working with Children with Additional Needs
Layout and Room Limits
Educator Influence and Critical Reflection
Zones of Regulation in Children
Positive Reinforcement and Social Psychology
Attachment Theory
Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development Theory
Nature to support Behaviour
Experiences to Implement to Support Children's Behaviour
10 Critical Reflection Questions for Early Childhood Educators to Implement to Support the Guiding of Children's Behaviour
Questions
Overview of Topics
Understanding Behaviour
Children’s behaviour is a form of communication. It is influenced by their brain development, temperament, experiences, and environment — both at home and in care settings. When we investigate behaviour, we must consider:
- Sensory factors
- Attachment and relationships
- Life experiences (including trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences - ACEs)
- Daily routines, transitions, and unexpected changes
Attention Span & Technology
Technology plays a growing role in early childhood. While it can pose challenges to attention span and regulation, when used intentionally, it can support engagement and learning. Educators can use tech wisely to promote focus and meaningful learning experiences.
Self-Regulation & Resilience
Helping children develop the skills to manage big emotions, recover from setbacks, and navigate social situations is essential. Approaches like the Zones of Regulation offer frameworks to teach self-awareness and coping strategies.
Working with Families
Families are partners in guiding behaviour. From orientation to daily discussions and shared behaviour plans, consistent communication strengthens outcomes for children. Supporting routines at drop-off, transitions at home, and understanding each family's context is vital.
The Educator’s Role
Educators play a powerful role in:
- Designing predictable, engaging environments
- Offering consistent supervision
- Reflecting on their own responses and influence
- Collaborating with teams and specialists to support children with additional needs
Responsive Environments
Classroom layout, daily routines, and environmental changes (e.g., weather, noise, or staffing) affect children’s behaviour. Thoughtful planning and flexibility can ease transitions and prevent challenging behaviours.
Understanding Specific Behaviours
Behaviours like biting, hitting, swearing, spitting, or absconding require calm, investigative responses. Understanding the why behind these behaviours allows us to guide children safely and supportively.
Policies & Practice
Behaviour guidance should align with:
- Organisational policies
- Behaviour support plans
- Regulatory bodies ACECQA in Australia
These frameworks ensure children’s rights, safety, and dignity are upheld.
Nature & Experiences
Time in nature and meaningful, sensory-rich experiences promote emotional regulation and reduce behavioural stress. Providing open-ended, engaging experiences helps children express themselves positively.
Reflecting as Educators
Ongoing critical reflection supports improvement. Asking questions about our practices, biases, and responses ensures we continually grow in how we support children.
Final Thoughts - Guiding behaviour is about connection. When we understand children holistically and support them with patience, empathy, and consistency, we create a foundation for lifelong wellbeing, learning, and relationships.