The Whole Child: Enhancing Development through Play and Wellbeing
The Whole Child: Enhancing Development through Play and Wellbeing
Thursday 2ND- Friday 3RD April 2026
Sydney
Rydge's Sydney Central
28 Albion Street, Surry Hills
NSW 2010
Thursday - 9:00am - 6:30pm (Includes Informal Dinner and Cocktail Connection)
Friday - 8:30am - 5:00pm
Individual - $1200
Overview:
The conference focuses on holistic child development and educator wellbeing. Participants will engage in interactive sessions that explore foundational developmental theories, the critical role of play, emotional and social growth, trauma-informed practices, and the importance of nature in supporting children’s wellbeing. Additionally, the conference highlights strategies for supporting both children’s and educators’ mental and physical health, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and reflective practice. Attendees will have ample opportunity to network, reflect, and deepen their understanding of how to foster nurturing, inclusive, and stimulating learning environments.
What Early Childhood Educators Will Learn:
Early childhood educators attending this conference will deepen their knowledge of key developmental theories from pioneers like Piaget, Vygotsky, Montessori, and Erikson, gaining insights into how these frameworks shape effective teaching strategies. They will explore practical applications of attachment theory and play therapy to support children’s emotional and behavioural needs, including trauma-informed care approaches. Educators will also learn the significance of integrating nature play to enhance children’s holistic wellbeing and discover how to foster secure attachments and supportive social environments. The conference further emphasizes educator wellbeing, offering self-care techniques and collaborative strategies to build resilient, supportive teams. Overall, educators will leave equipped with both theoretical understanding and practical tools to nurture the whole child’s development while maintaining their own professional health and fulfillment.
Topics:
Day 1: Thursday 2026
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 behavioural 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: Friday 2026
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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Thursday 2ND- Friday 3RD April 2026
Sydney
Rydge's Sydney Central
28 Albion Street, Surry Hills
NSW 2010
Thursday - 9:00am - 6:30pm (Includes Informal Dinner and Cocktail Connection)
Friday - 8:30am - 5:00pm
Individual - $1200
Overview:
The conference focuses on holistic child development and educator wellbeing. Participants will engage in interactive sessions that explore foundational developmental theories, the critical role of play, emotional and social growth, trauma-informed practices, and the importance of nature in supporting children’s wellbeing. Additionally, the conference highlights strategies for supporting both children’s and educators’ mental and physical health, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and reflective practice. Attendees will have ample opportunity to network, reflect, and deepen their understanding of how to foster nurturing, inclusive, and stimulating learning environments.
What Early Childhood Educators Will Learn:
Early childhood educators attending this conference will deepen their knowledge of key developmental theories from pioneers like Piaget, Vygotsky, Montessori, and Erikson, gaining insights into how these frameworks shape effective teaching strategies. They will explore practical applications of attachment theory and play therapy to support children’s emotional and behavioural needs, including trauma-informed care approaches. Educators will also learn the significance of integrating nature play to enhance children’s holistic wellbeing and discover how to foster secure attachments and supportive social environments. The conference further emphasizes educator wellbeing, offering self-care techniques and collaborative strategies to build resilient, supportive teams. Overall, educators will leave equipped with both theoretical understanding and practical tools to nurture the whole child’s development while maintaining their own professional health and fulfillment.
Topics:
Day 1: Thursday 2026
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 behavioural 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: Friday 2026
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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