The Whole Child: Enhancing Development through Play and Wellbeing -
Melbourne
Location: [Insert Venue Name & Address]
Date: Monday, 15th - Tuesday, 16th September 2025
Theme: Supporting Children’s Development & Educator Wellbeing
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Day 1: Monday 15th September 2025
8:50AM - 9:00 AM: Registration & Welcome Coffee
- Light refreshments and an introduction to the conference agenda.
- Opportunity to connect with fellow attendees.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Session 1: Early Childhood Theorists
- Overview of key early childhood theorists such as Piaget, Vygotsky, Montessori, and Froebel.
- Reflection on how their theories shape modern teaching practices.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Session 2: Reflecting on Our Personal Philosophy (Morning Tea is served during this time)
- Workshop to explore how our personal experiences, values, and beliefs influence our teaching.
- Guided discussion to refine personal educational philosophies.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Session 3: Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development
- Detailed exploration of Erikson’s stages and their impact on children’s emotional, social, and cognitive growth.
- Practical strategies for educators to support each stage of development.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Lunch Break
- 30-minute break to rest and enjoy a light lunch.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Session 4: Attachment Theory
- Understanding Bowlby and Ainsworth’s attachment theory.
- Discussion of how attachment impacts child development and ways to foster secure attachment in early childhood settings.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Session 5: Play Therapy
- Introduction to play therapy as a tool for addressing emotional and behavioral challenges.
- Techniques for integrating play therapy into daily practice.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: Session 6: Trauma-Informed Practice
- Overview of trauma-informed care principles.
- Strategies for creating a safe and responsive environment for children affected by trauma.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Session 7: Educator Wellbeing
- Discussion on the importance of self-care and stress management for educators.
- Practical strategies for maintaining wellbeing in a challenging profession.
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Reflection and Questions
Recap and Questions, with discussions and reflections supporting the themes and sessions of the day.
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Dinner and Cocktail Connection
- Informal dinner and cocktail session to network and reflect on the day's discussions.
- Roundtable conversation on "Discussing Our 'Why'" – sharing personal motivations for becoming early childhood educators.
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Day 2: Tuesday 16th September 2025
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Welcome Back Coffee
- Overview and Questions from Day 1
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Session 8: The Great Outdoors – Nature Play & Supporting Wellbeing Through Nature
- Benefits of nature play for children's development.
- How outdoor experiences support physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing for both children and educators.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Session 9: Children’s Holistic Wellbeing – Mental & Physical
- Exploring the interconnectedness of mental and physical health in early childhood.
- Strategies for supporting a balanced approach to children’s health and wellbeing.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Session 10: Nature vs Nurture
- Discussion on the nature vs. nurture debate.
- How both genetic and environmental factors shape a child's development and the role of educators in this process.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Lunch Break
- 30-minute break to rest and enjoy a light lunch.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Session 11: Developmental Theories
- Overview of the major developmental theories that influence early childhood education.
- Insights into how these theories guide effective teaching strategies.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Session 12: Overview of Play to Support Children’s Developmental Learning
- The role of play in supporting cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
- Practical activities to incorporate play into everyday learning.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: Session 13: Working with Teams – Supporting Colleagues’ Wellbeing
- The importance of collaborative environments in supporting educator wellbeing.
- Strategies for fostering positive team dynamics and mutual support in early childhood settings.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Session 14: Creating Personal & Professional Goals
- Reflecting on personal and professional growth.
- Practical strategies for setting and achieving goals that align with values and career aspirations.
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Closing Remarks & Reflection
- Recap of key takeaways from the conference.
- Final reflections on how to integrate new learnings into everyday practice.
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Melbourne
Location: [Insert Venue Name & Address]
Date: Monday, 15th - Tuesday, 16th September 2025
Theme: Supporting Children’s Development & Educator Wellbeing
---
Day 1: Monday 15th September 2025
8:50AM - 9:00 AM: Registration & Welcome Coffee
- Light refreshments and an introduction to the conference agenda.
- Opportunity to connect with fellow attendees.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Session 1: Early Childhood Theorists
- Overview of key early childhood theorists such as Piaget, Vygotsky, Montessori, and Froebel.
- Reflection on how their theories shape modern teaching practices.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Session 2: Reflecting on Our Personal Philosophy (Morning Tea is served during this time)
- Workshop to explore how our personal experiences, values, and beliefs influence our teaching.
- Guided discussion to refine personal educational philosophies.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Session 3: Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development
- Detailed exploration of Erikson’s stages and their impact on children’s emotional, social, and cognitive growth.
- Practical strategies for educators to support each stage of development.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Lunch Break
- 30-minute break to rest and enjoy a light lunch.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Session 4: Attachment Theory
- Understanding Bowlby and Ainsworth’s attachment theory.
- Discussion of how attachment impacts child development and ways to foster secure attachment in early childhood settings.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Session 5: Play Therapy
- Introduction to play therapy as a tool for addressing emotional and behavioral challenges.
- Techniques for integrating play therapy into daily practice.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: Session 6: Trauma-Informed Practice
- Overview of trauma-informed care principles.
- Strategies for creating a safe and responsive environment for children affected by trauma.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Session 7: Educator Wellbeing
- Discussion on the importance of self-care and stress management for educators.
- Practical strategies for maintaining wellbeing in a challenging profession.
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Reflection and Questions
Recap and Questions, with discussions and reflections supporting the themes and sessions of the day.
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Dinner and Cocktail Connection
- Informal dinner and cocktail session to network and reflect on the day's discussions.
- Roundtable conversation on "Discussing Our 'Why'" – sharing personal motivations for becoming early childhood educators.
---
Day 2: Tuesday 16th September 2025
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Welcome Back Coffee
- Overview and Questions from Day 1
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Session 8: The Great Outdoors – Nature Play & Supporting Wellbeing Through Nature
- Benefits of nature play for children's development.
- How outdoor experiences support physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing for both children and educators.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Session 9: Children’s Holistic Wellbeing – Mental & Physical
- Exploring the interconnectedness of mental and physical health in early childhood.
- Strategies for supporting a balanced approach to children’s health and wellbeing.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Session 10: Nature vs Nurture
- Discussion on the nature vs. nurture debate.
- How both genetic and environmental factors shape a child's development and the role of educators in this process.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Lunch Break
- 30-minute break to rest and enjoy a light lunch.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Session 11: Developmental Theories
- Overview of the major developmental theories that influence early childhood education.
- Insights into how these theories guide effective teaching strategies.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Session 12: Overview of Play to Support Children’s Developmental Learning
- The role of play in supporting cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
- Practical activities to incorporate play into everyday learning.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: Session 13: Working with Teams – Supporting Colleagues’ Wellbeing
- The importance of collaborative environments in supporting educator wellbeing.
- Strategies for fostering positive team dynamics and mutual support in early childhood settings.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Session 14: Creating Personal & Professional Goals
- Reflecting on personal and professional growth.
- Practical strategies for setting and achieving goals that align with values and career aspirations.
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Closing Remarks & Reflection
- Recap of key takeaways from the conference.
- Final reflections on how to integrate new learnings into everyday practice.
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