EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR FRIENDS
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    • Meeting and Exceeding Quality Area 2 - Children's Health and Safety
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      • Nurture & Grow: Mastering Early Childhood Connections
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      • The Whole Child: Enhancing Development through Play and Wellbeing - Brisbane
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      • Igniting Passionate Educators >
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      • Leading with Impact - 2-Day Course Melbourne
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  • 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
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    • 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” 1-Day Online Course
    • “Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework” - 2-Hour Course
    • "Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework" 12-Month Workbook
  • Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Children
    • From Feelings to Flourishing: Supporting Social-Emotional Wellbeing in Children
    • A Practical Day of Emotional Growth, Resilience, & Joy in Early Childhood
  • Rhythm and Bloom xo
    • Rhythm and Bloom - 2 hour course
    • Rhythm and Bloom - 1-Day Course
    • Rhythm and Bloom - 2-Day Course

"Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework"
​2-Hour Course

“Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework”

“Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework”
  • Nurturing identity, confident voices, and connected lives.​

Foundations of Self
A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework for Early Childhood
Focus Areas:
  • Emotional security and resilience
  • Social connection and empathy
  • Physical wellbeing and autonomy

 Grounded In:
  • Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory
  • Theorists - Bowlby, Vygotsky, Montessori & Bronfenbrenner

 Purpose:
To guide early childhood educators in supporting the development of children’s identity, confidence, and sense of belonging through intentional practices that foster emotional, social, and physical wellbeing.
"At the heart of Foundations of Self is the belief that children thrive when they feel emotionally secure, empowered in their choices, and deeply connected — when they feel safe, valued, and part of something bigger."

Foundations of Self
A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework for Early Childhood
 2-Hour Online Professional Development Workshop
Nurturing identity, resilience and belonging through everyday practice.

Course Summary
Duration
2 hours 
Linked To
EYLF V2.0 & NQS
Theory Base
Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory

What Early Childhood Educators Will Learn:
By the end of this 2-hour session, participants will:
  1. Understand how Erikson’s theory connects to the emotional, social, and physical wellbeing of young children.
  2. Identify practical ways to support children’s sense of identity and resilience through daily routines and interactions.
  3. Confidently link observed behaviour to developmental stages and learning outcomes (EYLF/NQS).
  4. Use the Foundations of Self Framework to guide intentional, holistic practice.

Course Outline
Session 1: Understanding the Foundations
(30 minutes)
  • Welcome & Acknowledgement
  • Introduction to Foundations of Self
  • Erikson’s first 4 stages explained:
    • Trust vs Mistrust (0–1)
    • Autonomy vs Shame & Doubt (1–3)
    • Initiative vs Guilt (3–5)
    • Industry vs Inferiority (5–7)
Quick Activity:
“What does a child look like when they’re thriving in each stage?” (Breakout or poll)
EYLF Links:
  • Outcome 1: Identity
  • Outcome 3: Wellbeing
    NQS: QA 5, QA 1

Session 2: Practical Strategies by Age Group
(45 minutes)

For Infants (0–1):
  • Responsive routines, key educator relationships
  • Practice Example: "Soft language, warm eye contact during nappy changes = building trust"
For Toddlers (1–3):
  • Offer choices, support self-help skills, avoid shaming
  • Practice Example: “Would you like red socks or blue ones?” — promoting autonomy
For Preschoolers (3–5):
  • Encourage initiative, leadership in play
  • Practice Example: Group storytelling led by children; turn-taking games
For Kindergarten / Transition (5–6+):
  • Scaffold skills, celebrate effort, promote group work
  • Practice Example: “You worked really hard on that tower — what helped you keep going?”
💬 Educator Reflection Prompt:
“Which of these strategies do I already use? Which could I embed more intentionally?”

Session 3: Applying the Framework to Planning & Practice 30 minutes)
  • Observation → Reflection → Responsive Action
  • Linking everyday moments to Erikson’s stages
  • How to write learning stories with psychosocial insight
  • Using the “Foundations of Self” template for weekly programming
Example Documentation Snippet:
"Amira confidently climbed to the top of the slide and encouraged her friend to try. She showed pride in her accomplishment and empathy when her friend felt unsure."
Stage: Initiative vs Guilt | EYLF 1.3, 4.1
Includes:
  • Downloadable Observation Template
  • Erikson Planning Prompts (PDF)
  • Editable Reflection Cards for team discussion

Wrap-Up (15 min)
  • Recap Key Takeaways
  • Group reflection: “What’s one change I’ll try tomorrow?”
  • Q&A
  • Access to:
    • Certificate of Participation (2 hours PD)
    • Resource Pack: Observation Template, Poster, Reflective Prompts

Course Inclusions
 Foundations of Self Framework PDF
Planning & Reflection Tools
Certificate of Completion
 1-page “Stages & Strategies” Cheat Sheet
 Learning Story Writing Prompts

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  • Home
  • Support Groups
    • Safeguarding Children: Supporting Child Safety in Early Learning Environments
    • 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
    • Provocations in Play
    • STEAM in Early Childhood
    • Developmental Theorists
    • Nature and Sustainability
    • Cultural and Indigenous Practices
    • Language and Numeracy
    • Strengthening Relationships
    • Responding to Family Concerns and Complaints
    • Play with Purpose
  • 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
    • 100 Early Learning Experiences per Age Group - 500 TOTAL
  • Assessment and Rating Preparation
    • National Quality Framework - Overview
    • Assessment and Rating Workbook + 3 x Mini Courses
    • Assessment and Rating Workbook
    • 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
    • VIP Membership - OOSH/OSHC
    • Meeting and Exceeding the National Quality Framework - 1 day Course
    • Meeting and Exceeding Quality Area 2 - Children's Health and Safety
  • Menus
  • Our Conferences
    • August Conference 2025 >
      • Nurture & Grow: Mastering Early Childhood Connections
    • March Conference >
      • 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! - 2 Hour Course
        • Ignite, Inspire, Reflect, Connect: A Day of Learning for Passionate ECE Professionals
    • Leading with Impact - Courses >
      • Leading with Impact - 2-Day Course Melbourne
      • Leading with Impact: A Professional Development Course for Centre Managers - 2-Day Course Online
      • 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
    • Bali >
      • Bali Educational Retreat
      • Bali Educator Fun in the Sun
      • Bali Leadership Retreat
      • Bali Tours xo
    • Tassie Treats - Growing Minds Retreat: Nurturing Educators
    • Queenstown - Igniting Passionate Educators
    • Phuket, Thailand - Igniting Passionate Early Childhood Educators
    • Vietnam - Play, Creativity, and Children's Development Retreat
    • Italy - Rome, and Tuscany Theorists, and Play
    • Thailand - ​Leadership and Management
    • Fiji xo - Play, Pause, & Reflect: An Educator’s Retreat
    • Spain
    • Denver and New York City
    • Whistler, Canada
  • 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™
    • 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” 1-Day Online Course
    • “Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework” - 2-Hour Course
    • "Foundations of Self: A Psychosocial Wellbeing Framework" 12-Month Workbook
  • Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Children
    • From Feelings to Flourishing: Supporting Social-Emotional Wellbeing in Children
    • A Practical Day of Emotional Growth, Resilience, & Joy in Early Childhood
  • Rhythm and Bloom xo
    • Rhythm and Bloom - 2 hour course
    • Rhythm and Bloom - 1-Day Course
    • Rhythm and Bloom - 2-Day Course