The Six Pillars of Early Childhood Practice
Sessions:
Monday 28th September 2026
6:00pm - 8:00pm - QLD, NSW, ACT, TAS, VIC, WA
Tuesday 29th September 2026
6:00pm - 8:00pm - NT, SA
6:30-8:30pm - QLD, NSW, ACT, TAS, VIC
INDIVIDUAL - $129; TEAM - $599
The Six Pillars of Early Childhood Practice
A guiding framework for intentional, relationship-based, and psychologically informed early childhood education.
What Educators and Leaders Will Learn
1. Confidence
Supporting children to believe: “I can do this.”
Confidence is developed through experiences where children feel capable, supported, and encouraged to take safe risks in their learning.
2. Self-Worth
Nurturing a deep sense of: “I am valued and I matter.”
Self-worth is shaped through relationships where children feel seen, recognised, and genuinely important.
3. Connection
Creating emotionally safe, trusting relationships.
Connection is the foundation of all learning, behaviour, and emotional development.
4. Joy
Protecting curiosity, playfulness, and delight in learning.
Joy is not an “extra”—it is a core condition for engagement, wellbeing, and learning.
5. Growth
Supporting resilience, learning, and emotional development.
Growth is about embracing challenge, learning through experience, and developing emotional strength over time.
6. Balance
Supporting emotional regulation, wellbeing, and sustainable practice.
Balance ensures that both children and educators can thrive in calm, predictable, and emotionally sustainable environments.
Why this framework matters
The Six Pillars of Early Childhood Practice xo provides a clear, values-driven foundation for understanding children, guiding educator decision-making, and shaping environments, relationships, and pedagogy. It brings together attachment theory, developmental psychology, play-based learning, and wellbeing into one coherent, practical philosophy of practice.
Monday 28th September 2026
6:00pm - 8:00pm - QLD, NSW, ACT, TAS, VIC, WA
Tuesday 29th September 2026
6:00pm - 8:00pm - NT, SA
6:30-8:30pm - QLD, NSW, ACT, TAS, VIC
INDIVIDUAL - $129; TEAM - $599
The Six Pillars of Early Childhood Practice
A guiding framework for intentional, relationship-based, and psychologically informed early childhood education.
What Educators and Leaders Will Learn
- Understand the Six Pillars of Early Childhood Practice: Confidence, Self-Worth, Connection, Joy, Growth, and Balance
- Explore how each pillar supports children's learning, development, wellbeing, and sense of belonging
- Recognise the powerful influence educators have on children's confidence, identity, and emotional growth
- Build stronger attachment-informed relationships that foster emotional security and trust
- Use strengths-based approaches to support self-worth, resilience, and positive behaviour
- Create environments and experiences that nurture joy, curiosity, creativity, and engagement
- Support children to develop perseverance, coping skills, and a growth mindset through everyday interactions
- Understand the importance of balance, regulation, and wellbeing for both children and educators
- Reflect on personal practice and identify opportunities to embed the Six Pillars throughout daily routines, environments, and interactions
- Develop a shared philosophy that strengthens team culture, consistency, and quality practice across the service
- Explore practical strategies for embedding the Six Pillars into planning, intentional teaching, behaviour guidance, and family partnerships
- Strengthen leadership capacity by using the Six Pillars as a framework for mentoring, coaching, and supporting educator growth
- Apply the Six Pillars confidently in everyday practice
- Create environments that promote wellbeing, belonging, and positive development
- Support children to flourish socially, emotionally, and academically
- Foster a culture where children, educators, and families feel valued, connected, and empowered
1. Confidence
Supporting children to believe: “I can do this.”
Confidence is developed through experiences where children feel capable, supported, and encouraged to take safe risks in their learning.
- Encouraging risk-taking in play and learning
- Celebrating effort, persistence, and progress over outcomes
- Building independence through intentional scaffolding
- Using educator language that strengthens capability, agency, and self-belief
2. Self-Worth
Nurturing a deep sense of: “I am valued and I matter.”
Self-worth is shaped through relationships where children feel seen, recognised, and genuinely important.
- Strengths-based interactions and meaningful acknowledgement
- Seeing, naming, and valuing children’s individuality and identity
- Building secure, consistent, and responsive relationships
- Ensuring every child feels heard, included, and significant
3. Connection
Creating emotionally safe, trusting relationships.
Connection is the foundation of all learning, behaviour, and emotional development.
- Attachment-informed practice and co-regulation strategies
- Educator presence as a secure base and safe haven
- Building strong, respectful partnerships with families
- Prioritising relationship over behaviour correction
4. Joy
Protecting curiosity, playfulness, and delight in learning.
Joy is not an “extra”—it is a core condition for engagement, wellbeing, and learning.
- Play-based pedagogy as the foundation of learning
- Environments that invite wonder, curiosity, and exploration
- Embedding music, movement, creativity, and humour into daily practice
- Valuing happiness, engagement, and emotional wellbeing
5. Growth
Supporting resilience, learning, and emotional development.
Growth is about embracing challenge, learning through experience, and developing emotional strength over time.
- Growth mindset language (“not yet,” “keep trying”)
- Learning through challenge, mistakes, and persistence
- Supporting emotional regulation and coping skills
- Viewing development as dynamic, individual, and ongoing
6. Balance
Supporting emotional regulation, wellbeing, and sustainable practice.
Balance ensures that both children and educators can thrive in calm, predictable, and emotionally sustainable environments.
- Calm, predictable routines and responsive environments
- Supporting educator wellbeing alongside children’s needs
- Balancing structure, flexibility, and responsiveness
- Encouraging reflection, pause, and mindful practice
Why this framework matters
The Six Pillars of Early Childhood Practice xo provides a clear, values-driven foundation for understanding children, guiding educator decision-making, and shaping environments, relationships, and pedagogy. It brings together attachment theory, developmental psychology, play-based learning, and wellbeing into one coherent, practical philosophy of practice.
