The Power of Provocations: Linking Developmental Theory to Intentional Practice
The Power of Provocations: Linking Developmental Theory to Intentional Practice
Support Group - Wednesday 20th August 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;
In early childhood education, provocations are more than just beautiful invitations to play — they are powerful, purposeful tools that spark curiosity, build thinking skills, and support whole-child development.
This professional learning session is designed to help educators understand how to design and implement provocations that are theory-informed, age-appropriate, and aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF v2.0) and National Quality Framework (NQF).
We’ll explore how the work of nine key developmental theorists — Maslow, Erikson, Piaget, Vygotsky, Gardner, Bronfenbrenner, Montessori, Bowlby, and Reggio Emilia — can guide our thinking when designing environments and experiences that respond to children’s emotional, cognitive, physical, language, and social development.
What Early Childhood Educators Will Learn:
Link theory directly to practice in meaningful, accessible ways
Create rich provocations across common learning areas (e.g. home corner, art, outdoor, block corner, group time, book corner)
Tailor provocations to different age groups (0–12 months, 12–24 months, 2–3 years, 3–5 years, 5–8 years, 8–12 years)
Make intentional, reflective decisions that support deep engagement and child-led inquiry
Together, we will reimagine how our environments can invite wonder, agency, connection, and growth — helping children flourish across all developmental domains.
“When you plant an invitation with care, curiosity blooms in every child.”
Topics:
1. What Are Provocations? Theory Meets Practice
Explore what provocations are, their role in early childhood, and how they act as intentional invitations to learning that engage children’s curiosity and creativity.
2. Developmental Theorists & Their Influence on Provocations
A journey through nine key theorists — Maslow, Erikson, Piaget, Vygotsky, Gardner, Bronfenbrenner, Montessori, Bowlby, and Reggio Emilia — understanding how their ideas shape our approach to environments and provocations.
3. Provocations Across Learning Areas
Discover practical examples of provocations in familiar learning spaces such as the home corner, book corner, group time, outdoor play, block corner, and arts & crafts. Learn how to design invitations that support all five developmental domains (physical, social, emotional, cognitive, language).
4. Age-Appropriate Provocation Planning
Learn how to adapt provocations for six key age groups, from infants to pre-teens, ensuring each experience meets developmental needs and nurtures holistic growth.
5. Reflection and Linking to EYLF & NQF
Reflect on your current practice and environments, explore how provocations align with EYLF learning outcomes and NQF quality areas, and set intentions for integrating new strategies into your program.
6. Sharing and Next Steps
Engage in group sharing of ideas, discuss challenges and solutions, and leave inspired with actionable steps to enrich your educational setting.
Final Thoughts
By the end of this session, educators will be empowered to create environments rich in invitation and intention, deeply rooted in developmental theory and reflective practice, to foster confident, capable, and curious learners.
Support Group - Wednesday 20th August 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;
In early childhood education, provocations are more than just beautiful invitations to play — they are powerful, purposeful tools that spark curiosity, build thinking skills, and support whole-child development.
This professional learning session is designed to help educators understand how to design and implement provocations that are theory-informed, age-appropriate, and aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF v2.0) and National Quality Framework (NQF).
We’ll explore how the work of nine key developmental theorists — Maslow, Erikson, Piaget, Vygotsky, Gardner, Bronfenbrenner, Montessori, Bowlby, and Reggio Emilia — can guide our thinking when designing environments and experiences that respond to children’s emotional, cognitive, physical, language, and social development.
What Early Childhood Educators Will Learn:
Link theory directly to practice in meaningful, accessible ways
Create rich provocations across common learning areas (e.g. home corner, art, outdoor, block corner, group time, book corner)
Tailor provocations to different age groups (0–12 months, 12–24 months, 2–3 years, 3–5 years, 5–8 years, 8–12 years)
Make intentional, reflective decisions that support deep engagement and child-led inquiry
Together, we will reimagine how our environments can invite wonder, agency, connection, and growth — helping children flourish across all developmental domains.
“When you plant an invitation with care, curiosity blooms in every child.”
Topics:
1. What Are Provocations? Theory Meets Practice
Explore what provocations are, their role in early childhood, and how they act as intentional invitations to learning that engage children’s curiosity and creativity.
2. Developmental Theorists & Their Influence on Provocations
A journey through nine key theorists — Maslow, Erikson, Piaget, Vygotsky, Gardner, Bronfenbrenner, Montessori, Bowlby, and Reggio Emilia — understanding how their ideas shape our approach to environments and provocations.
3. Provocations Across Learning Areas
Discover practical examples of provocations in familiar learning spaces such as the home corner, book corner, group time, outdoor play, block corner, and arts & crafts. Learn how to design invitations that support all five developmental domains (physical, social, emotional, cognitive, language).
4. Age-Appropriate Provocation Planning
Learn how to adapt provocations for six key age groups, from infants to pre-teens, ensuring each experience meets developmental needs and nurtures holistic growth.
5. Reflection and Linking to EYLF & NQF
Reflect on your current practice and environments, explore how provocations align with EYLF learning outcomes and NQF quality areas, and set intentions for integrating new strategies into your program.
6. Sharing and Next Steps
Engage in group sharing of ideas, discuss challenges and solutions, and leave inspired with actionable steps to enrich your educational setting.
Final Thoughts
By the end of this session, educators will be empowered to create environments rich in invitation and intention, deeply rooted in developmental theory and reflective practice, to foster confident, capable, and curious learners.