Early Years Mastery: Theory, Play & Practice – Weekend Online Intensive
Dates & Times:
​Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September 2026. 
  • Saturday: 9:30am – 5:00pm + Dinner & Drinks 6:00pm – 8:00pm
  • Sunday: 7:30am – 8:30am (optional morning walk) | 9:30am – 4:00pm
Breaks:
  • Saturday: 10:30–10:40am & 2:30–2:40pm; Lunch 12:30–1:15pm
  • Sunday: 10:30–10:40am & 2:30–2:40pm; Lunch 12:30–1:15pm

Saturday: Day 1 – Foundations & Practice9:30am – 10:30am
​Session 1: Welcome & Foundations of Early Childhood Education
  • Course introduction, goals, and expectations
  • Importance of child-centred learning
  • Key early childhood theorists: Erikson, Piaget, Vygotsky, Bronfenbrenner
  • Icebreaker activity: sharing experiences & insights
Learning Outcome: Understand foundational theories and impact of early experiences.

10:30am – 10:40am
 Morning Break
10:40am – 11:25am
 Session 2: Understanding Children’s Emotional Development
  • Emotional intelligence in young children
  • Recognising feelings and supporting emotional regulation
  • Practical strategies for guiding behaviour with empathy
  • Mini-case study: managing big emotions in the classroom

11:25am – 12:10pm
 Session 3: Guiding Behaviour and Promoting Positive Relationships
  • Positive guidance vs. punishment
  • Building trust and attachment with children
  • Setting up the environment for success
  • Role-play: responding to challenging behaviour

12:10pm – 12:30pm
 Session 4: Children’s Voices and Decision-Making
  • Encouraging children to express opinions and make choices
  • Implementing voice in everyday routines
  • Practical strategies for inclusion in curriculum planning

12:30pm – 1:15pm
 Lunch Break (45 minutes)
1:15pm – 2:00pm
 Session 5: Eco-Psychology & the Learning Environment
  • Connection to nature and its impact on well-being
  • Designing environments that promote exploration and curiosity
  • Indoor and outdoor activity ideas linked to sustainability

2:00pm – 2:30pm
 Session 6: Play-Based Learning and STEM Integration
  • Play as a vehicle for learning
  • STEM activities for early learners
  • Linking play to cognitive and social-emotional development
  • Group brainstorming: creative play ideas

2:30pm – 2:40pm
 Afternoon Break (10 minutes)
2:40pm – 3:25pm
 Session 7: Theorists in Early Childhood
  • Overview of key theorists: Erikson, Piaget, Vygotsky, Bronfenbrenner, Gardner
  • How these theories inform practice and daily interactions
  • Group activity: matching practical strategies to theorists’ principles

3:25pm – 4:10pm
 Session 8: Observation, Assessment, and Documentation
  • Observing children to inform practice
  • Documenting learning outcomes (portfolios, anecdotal notes)
  • Using assessment to personalise learning

4:10pm – 4:55pm
Session 9: Well-being, Self-Care, and Educator Reflection
  • Strategies for educator self-care and resilience
  • Mindfulness and reflective practice
  • Journaling exercise: personal takeaways and action planning

4:55pm – 5:00pm
 Closing & Preview of Day 2
  • Key takeaways for the day
  • Preparation for Saturday night dinner & networking

6:00pm – 8:00pm
Optional Dinner & Drinks
  • Networking and socialising
  • Collaborative conversations, reflections on Day 1, and informal Q&A


Sunday: Day 2 – Creative Therapies & Emotional Intelligence
7:30am – 8:30am
Optional Morning Walk
  • Gentle guided walk to connect with nature, set intentions for the day, and energise the mind and body

9:30am – 10:30am
Session 10: Creative Therapies in Early Childhood
  • Introduction to creative therapies (art, music, drama, movement, and play therapy)
  • Practical demonstrations for supporting wellbeing, learning, and development
  • Hands-on activity: participants try a mini creative therapy session
Learning Outcome: Educators will experience and understand how creative approaches can support children’s holistic development.

10:30am – 10:40am
Morning Break
10:40am – 11:25am
Session 11: Supporting Emotional Intelligence
  • Understanding emotional intelligence (EQ) in yourself and children
  • How self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy impact interactions
  • Fun quizzes/exercises: personality types and communication styles
  • Group discussion: how different personalities work together in a team
Learning Outcome: Participants will gain self-insight, recognise strengths, and apply emotional intelligence in professional and personal interactions.

11:25am – 12:10pm
 Session 12: Teamwork & Collaborative Problem-Solving
  • Team challenges and interactive exercises
  • Applying EQ and personality insights to collaborate effectively
  • Reflection: how understanding your team improves outcomes for children
Learning Outcome: Educators will strengthen teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills in early learning environments.

12:10pm – 12:30pm
Session 13: Using Creative Therapies to Enhance Learning
  • Applying creative therapies in daily practice
  • Designing practical activities for wellbeing, cognitive, and social-emotional development
  • Group activity: create a mini lesson plan integrating creative therapy

12:30pm – 1:15pm
Lunch Break (45 minutes)
1:15pm – 2:00pm
Session 14: Mindful Leadership and Reflection
  • Mindfulness techniques to manage stress and stay present
  • Reflection exercises: recognising your values, strengths, and growth areas
  • Journaling: setting personal and professional intentions
Learning Outcome: Educators will leave with tools to manage their wellbeing and lead with presence.

2:00pm – 2:30pm
Session 15: Creative Therapies in Practice
  • Hands-on rotations: art, music, drama, and movement activities
  • Applying techniques for children and educator wellbeing
  • Observing, reflecting, and sharing learnings
Learning Outcome: Participants gain practical skills to embed creative therapies into their teaching practice.

2:30pm – 2:40pm
Afternoon Break (10 minutes)
2:40pm – 3:25pm
Session 16: Strengths-Based Collaboration
  • Participants identify their individual strengths and how they complement others
  • Group exercises: team problem-solving with a focus on strengths
  • Discussion: how strengths-based approaches improve team cohesion and learning outcomes
Learning Outcome: Educators understand how to leverage strengths within teams for more effective collaboration and child support.

3:25pm – 3:55pm
Session 17: Action Planning & Celebration
  • Consolidating learnings from both days
  • Developing practical action plans for classrooms/centres
  • Sharing insights, reflections, and commitments
  • Mini celebration activity to reinforce connection and joy

3:55pm – 4:00pm
Closing
  • Certificates of participation
  • Final reflections and farewell
About Your Facilitator - Kelly Hallas