Abstract Submission

Powered by Play. Driven by Leadership. Ready for Change.

The 2026 Northern Territory Little People Big Dreams Children’s Learning and Development Conference is held on Saturday 17 October 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Esplanade, Darwin. The Conference provides an opportunity for educators, academics, policy makers and communities to work collaboratively to improve children’s learning and development. With topics focusing on the themes:

• Embedding Aboriginal Pedagogy in Practice
  Exploring culturally responsive approaches that honour Aboriginal perspectives, knowledge, and ways of learning.
• The Power of Play
  Investigating play-based learning, its impact on development, and innovative ways to foster meaningful play experiences.
• Embracing Neurodiversity
  Supporting diverse ways of thinking and learning through inclusive practices that celebrate every child’s strengths.
• Leading with Purpose
  Strengthening leadership in early childhood through vision, collaboration, and sustainable practice.
• Open for other themes

Presentation Format

We are looking for workshops that are innovative, interactive and at the forefront of current practice and research related to the education and care sector from birth to 12 years.

The Breakout rooms will have a mixture of theatre style seating and cabaret table settings.

To enhance engagement in our breakout sessions, we are looking for interactivity across both room styles. Feedback from past delegates highlights a strong desire for more opportunities for interaction, discussion, and hands-on practical examples. The kind of interaction used in your session would be lined up with the room style and extra space the room provides.

Each room has a unique room configuration and therefore, understanding your requirements is vital. Some effective interactive examples include collaborating with pen and paper, incorporating dance or song, implementing think-pair-share activities, utilising software like Mentimeter, facilitating quizzes, and encouraging participants to act out scenarios and participate in activities. These interactions can take place on participants’ seats, at their tables, or through movement around the room. This approach will foster a dynamic and engaging learning environment for all attendees.

• Abstracts are to be submitted as a 45-minute interactive workshop/presentation.
• All presentations should allow time for 5 minutes of questions either during or at the end
• Abstracts are to be submitted with a title, in English to a maximum of 500 words
• Ensure you indicate the presenting author for the abstract and include a brief biography of no more than 500 words
• Choose the most relevant abstract theme:
  • Embedding Aboriginal Pedagogy in Practice
  • The Power of Play
  • Embracing Neurodiversity
  • Leading with Purpose
  • Open for other themes

Guidelines

• Each Abstract will be assessed according to the following criteria: relevance to the Conference; relevance to the professional context of delegates; potential to contribute to the body of knowledge.
• Successful Abstracts must be presented by the author/s or a nominated co-author.
• The presenting author will receive 1 x complimentary registration to the Conference if chosen to present.
• Audience attendance may reach 100 delegates. Audience numbers are not guaranteed – presentations will run simultaneously with other sessions.
• Submission of Abstracts implies the author’s agreement to publish the Abstract in all Conference publications inc. website.
• Acceptance of Abstracts will be by email
• Acceptance does not imply any payment from the Organising Committee. Authors must arrange and pay for their own accommodation, travel etc. to attend the Conference.
• Acceptance or otherwise is at the discretion of the Organising Committee whose decision is final.
• Submission deadline may be extended at the discretion of the Organising Committee